Calculators for this guide:
BMI CalculatorIdeal Weight CalculatorWaist-to-Hip Ratio CalculatorBody Fat CalculatorWhy Indians use a different BMI chart
BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The formula is the same everywhere. What changes is where the categories start.
At the same BMI, South Asian adults tend to carry more body fat, and more of it around the stomach, than white Europeans. That is why type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure appear at lower weights in India. A 2004 WHO expert consultation recognised this, and India's 2009 consensus guidelines (Misra et al.) set lower cut-offs for Indian adults.
| BMI | Category for Indian adults |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 - 22.9 | Normal |
| 23.0 - 24.9 | Overweight |
| 25.0 and above | Obese |
So a BMI of 24, which an international chart calls healthy, already counts as overweight for an Indian adult.
Healthy weight chart by height
The normal range below is BMI 18.5 to 22.9. The same chart applies to men and women: BMI does not change with sex, although women naturally carry more body fat at any given BMI.
| Height | Normal weight | Overweight from | Obese from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) | 41.6 - 51.5 kg | 51.8 kg | 56.2 kg |
| 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) | 44.4 - 55.0 kg | 55.3 kg | 60.1 kg |
| 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) | 47.4 - 58.6 kg | 58.9 kg | 64.0 kg |
| 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | 50.4 - 62.3 kg | 62.6 kg | 68.1 kg |
| 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | 53.5 - 66.2 kg | 66.5 kg | 72.2 kg |
| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | 56.7 - 70.1 kg | 70.4 kg | 76.6 kg |
| 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | 59.9 - 74.2 kg | 74.5 kg | 81.0 kg |
| 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | 63.3 - 78.4 kg | 78.7 kg | 85.6 kg |
For your exact height, use the BMI calculator and choose Asian / Indian cut-offs. It shows your category on both the Indian and the international scale, and your healthy weight range.
Check your waist too
Two people with the same BMI can carry very different amounts of belly fat, and belly fat is the riskier kind. Indian guidelines use lower waist limits than Western ones:
| Waist limit (India) | Common Western limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 90 cm (35.4 in) | 94-102 cm |
| Women | 80 cm (31.5 in) | 80-88 cm |
Measure around your bare stomach at the level of the navel, after breathing out normally. If your BMI is normal but your waist is over the limit, the waist is the number to act on. The waist-to-hip ratio calculator gives a second view.
When the chart is wrong for you
BMI cannot tell muscle from fat. If you have lifted weights seriously for a year or more, you may sit in the overweight band while being lean. A body fat estimate or your FFMI tells you more.
The chart is also not meant for children and teenagers, who are measured against growth charts for their age, or for pregnancy.
If you are above the normal range, you do not need to reach the bottom of the chart. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight already improves blood sugar and blood pressure noticeably.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for a 5 ft 5 in Indian woman?
At 165 cm, the normal range on Indian cut-offs is about 50 to 62 kg. Within that range, a weight you can hold comfortably while eating well and training is a better target than one exact number.
What is the ideal weight for a 5 ft 9 in Indian man?
At 175 cm, the normal range on Indian cut-offs is about 57 to 70 kg. A man who lifts regularly may sit a few kilograms above that while still being lean.
Is a BMI of 24 overweight for Indians?
Yes. Under India's guidelines, 23 to 24.9 counts as overweight. On the international WHO chart, 24 is still in the healthy range.
Is the BMI chart different for men and women?
No, the same cut-offs apply to both. Women carry more body fat than men at the same BMI, which is why waist limits are set separately for each.
General information for healthy adults, not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
