BMI Calculator (for Indians)

The Indian BMI Calculator uses the same BMI formula as the standard BMI calculator, but reads the result against cut-offs recommended for Indian adults.

People of South Asian origin can develop excess body fat, abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic problems at a lower BMI than the populations behind the usual WHO thresholds. That is why Indian guidelines set overweight and obesity at lower BMI values.

BMI formula

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]²

You can enter height and weight in metric or US units. The calculator converts them before it works out BMI.

BMI categories for Indian adults

The Endocrine Society of India (ESI) recommends these cut-offs when assessing obesity in Indian adults. The 2025 ESI update is meant to be read alongside the fuller 2022 ESI guideline.

A simple way to keep the thresholds in mind: overweight starts at 23, and obesity starts at 25 for Indian adults.

How Indian BMI cut-offs differ from standard WHO cut-offs

That gap matters in everyday use. An Indian adult with a BMI of 26 kg/m² would be classed as having obesity under Indian criteria, while the older WHO international labels would still call that BMI "overweight."

What about BMI 27.5 for Asians?

Some people still quote BMI 27.5 kg/m² as an obesity cut-off for Asians. That figure comes from a different place.

A WHO expert consultation on Asian populations noted that diabetes and heart disease risk often show up at lower BMI levels in Asian groups. It suggested public-health action points at 23.0 (increased risk) and 27.5 (higher risk).

WHO did not turn 27.5 into a single obesity definition for every Asian population. International WHO categories were kept because risk is not the same across Asian groups.

For Indian adults, the Endocrine Society of India treats BMI of 25 kg/m² or above as obesity.

Notes

• Use the standard BMI calculator if you want WHO international categories.
• BMI is a screening tool. It does not diagnose diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or body fat percentage.
• Talk through your result with a doctor or other clinician, especially if you already have diabetes or other cardiometabolic risk factors.

1. Enter your height and choose cm, in, or ft. If you choose ft, an inches box appears next to it.
2. Enter your weight and choose kg or lbs.
3. Tap Calculate to see your BMI, the Indian adult category (including the obesity grade when it applies), and a suggested weight range for BMI 18.5-22.9.

Results update as you change the numbers. For Indian adults, overweight starts at 23 and obesity at 25. Use the standard BMI tool if you need WHO international labels instead.