Men tend to store fat around the abdomen, which carries more risk than fat on the hips. BMI is still the standard first screen, but in men it is worth pairing with a waist measurement: a waist of 94 cm (37 in) or more raises risk, and 102 cm (40 in) or more raises it substantially.
How to use the BMI Calculator for Men
- Sex
- Age
- Waist circumference
- Weight
- Height
- Want to work backwards? Type a value into BMI and Weight is calculated for you.
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter your weight, height and waist. BMI = weight ÷ height², compared with the WHO adult categories. Your waist is compared with the International Diabetes Federation and WHO thresholds for men.
BMI categories for adults
| BMI (kg/m²) | Category (WHO) | BMI Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | below 0.74 |
| 18.5–24.9 | Healthy weight | 0.74–0.99 |
| 25–29.9 | Overweight | 1.00–1.19 |
| 30–34.9 | Obesity class I | 1.20–1.39 |
| 35–39.9 | Obesity class II | 1.40–1.59 |
| 40 and above | Obesity class III | 1.60 and above |
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Age | In years |
| Waist circumference | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Weight | Units: kg, lb, st, g |
| Height | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
What each result means
- BMI = [Weight]÷([Height]÷100)^2
- BMI Prime = [BMI]÷25
- Healthy weight from (BMI 18.5) = 18.5×([Height]÷100)^2
- Healthy weight to (BMI 24.9) = 24.9×([Height]÷100)^2
- Ponderal index = [Weight]÷([Height]÷100)^3
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
BMI Prime = BMI ÷ 25
Healthy weight range = 18.5 × h² to 24.9 × h²
Ponderal index = weight ÷ height³
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Male; Age: 35 years; Waist circumference: 90 cm; Weight: 75 kg; Height: 175 cm.
Results — BMI = 24.5 kg/m²; Category (WHO) = Healthy weight; BMI Prime = 0.98; Healthy weight from (BMI 18.5) = 56.7 kg; Healthy weight to (BMI 24.9) = 76.3 kg; Change to reach the healthy range = 0 kg; Ponderal index = 14 kg/m³; Waist risk (men) = Low.
Key terms
- BMI
- Body mass index, weight divided by height squared, in kg/m².
- BMI Prime
- BMI divided by 25, the upper limit of the healthy range.
- Ponderal index
- Weight divided by height cubed; less biased by height than BMI.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for men?
18.5 to 24.9, the same as for women.
What waist size is too big for men?
94 cm (37 in) increases risk, and 102 cm (40 in) substantially increases it.
I lift weights – is my BMI wrong?
It may overrate you. Check body fat or waist size as well.
Can I work backwards from the result?
Yes. Type the result you want into BMI and the calculator finds the matching weight.