Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used tool to assess whether an individual has a healthy body weight for a given height. Whether you’re tracking your health, planning a fitness routine, or just curious about your BMI, our BMI Calculator (Metric and Imperial) is designed to give you quick and accurate results.

In this article, we will explain what BMI is, how to calculate it, and how to use our online BMI calculator to get your results using both metric and imperial units.

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What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

BMI is a simple calculation that helps to determine whether a person has a healthy body weight. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height. BMI is used by doctors, health professionals, and individuals to assess whether they are underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

The formula for BMI depends on the units of measurement you use:

• Metric System: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²
• Imperial System: BMI = weight (lbs) / height (in)² × 703

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How to Use the BMI Calculator

Our BMI Calculator (Metric and Imperial) is designed to make it easy for you to calculate your BMI in either metric or imperial units. Here’s how to use it:

1. Enter Your Weight:
   • In the metric calculator, input your weight in kilograms (kg).
   • In the imperial calculator, input your weight in pounds (lbs).
2. Enter Your Height:
   • In the metric calculator, input your height in meters (m).
   • In the imperial calculator, input your height in inches (in).
3. Click “Calculate”:
   • Once you’ve entered your weight and height, simply click the “Calculate” button.
4. View Your BMI Result:
   • The calculator will show your BMI value instantly, along with an interpretation of your result, such as “Underweight,” “Normal weight,” “Overweight,” or “Obese.”

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BMI Categories and Interpretation

Once you calculate your BMI, it’s important to know what the result means. Here’s a general guideline to help you interpret your BMI value:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
• Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

These categories are based on general health guidelines and can vary based on factors such as age, gender, and muscle mass.

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Example 1: Using the Metric System

Let’s calculate the BMI of a person with a weight of 70 kg and a height of 1.75 meters.

Using the BMI formula for metric units:

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²

Substitute the values:

BMI = 70 / (1.75)²

BMI = 70 / 3.0625

BMI ≈ 22.86

This person’s BMI is 22.86, which falls into the normal weight category.

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Example 2: Using the Imperial System

Let’s calculate the BMI of a person with a weight of 154 lbs and a height of 5 feet 9 inches (69 inches).

Using the BMI formula for imperial units:

BMI = weight (lbs) / height (in)² × 703

Substitute the values:

BMI = 154 / (69)² × 703

BMI = 154 / 4761 × 703

BMI ≈ 22.75

This person’s BMI is 22.75, which also falls into the normal weight category.

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Why is BMI Important?

BMI is a useful screening tool because it can help identify whether a person is at risk for health problems related to weight. While BMI does not directly measure body fat percentage, it gives a general idea of whether a person is within a healthy weight range.

1. Health Risks Associated with BMI

• Underweight (BMI < 18.5): May indicate malnutrition, eating disorders, or other health conditions that may require medical attention.
• Normal Weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9): Generally considered healthy, with a lower risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
• Overweight (BMI 25 – 29.9): Increased risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and joint problems.
• Obesity (BMI ≥ 30): High risk for various health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.