BMI Calculator for Indians: Asian and WHO BMI Categories
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. For Asian Indians, a BMI of 23–24.9 is classed as overweight and 25 or more as obese — lower cut-offs than the WHO’s international 25 and 30, because health risks start at a lower BMI in South Asian populations.
BMI Calculator (Asian & WHO)
Body Mass Index with Asian-Indian and WHO categories.
Estimates for healthy adults, for general information only — not medical advice.
BMI categories for Asian Indians vs WHO
- Underweight: below 18.5 (both).
- Normal: 18.5–22.9 (Asian-Indian) · 18.5–24.9 (WHO).
- Overweight: 23–24.9 (Asian-Indian) · 25–29.9 (WHO).
- Obese: 25 and above (Asian-Indian) · 30 and above (WHO).
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMI for Indians?
A normal BMI for Asian Indians is 18.5–22.9 according to the Indian consensus guidelines (Misra et al., 2009), which build on the WHO expert consultation for Asian populations (2004).
Is BMI accurate for people who lift weights?
Not always. BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so muscular people can show as overweight. Pair BMI with waist size or the BuyTheWhey body fat calculator for a fuller picture.
How do I calculate BMI by hand?
Divide weight (kg) by height (m) squared. Example: 70 kg ÷ (1.70 m × 1.70 m) = 24.2 — overweight on the Asian-Indian scale, normal on the WHO scale.
Sources
- WHO Expert Consultation, The Lancet, 2004
- Misra et al., Consensus statement for Asian Indians, JAPI, 2009
These calculators give estimates for healthy adults and are for general information only. Speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before major diet changes.