BMI Chart

The BMI chart, shown below, is a quick and easy way to identify which principal classification you fall into (underweight, normal, overweight or obese).

Alternatively, you may wish to use our BMI Calculator.

The chart shows both Metric and Imperial (US and English) scales along the axes. Simply look for your height up the side and then read along the top or bottom to find your weight and the point where the two readings cross on the chart gives you the category you fall into.

Please note that this chart uses the WHO guidelines for classification. (Mouseover to enlarge chart). 

From the graph we can see a number of sub-divisions within some of the classifications.

For example in the obese range there are 4 further cut-off points and within both the normal and overweight ranges there is a further cut-off within each section. These are classified in the Additional Classification cut-off points in the table below as Obese class I, Obese class II, Morbid obesity and Super obesity, terms derived from both the World Health Organization’s definitions and appearing in the medical literature.

The cut-off point of BMI above 40, is also referred to as Obese class III and severe obesity.

The BMI table above shows the classifications and their respective cut-off points for BMI categories referred to in the medical literature old and new.

Bottom Line

Despite the limitations of BMI in defining body fatness, it is still widely used in the medical world as an aid to assessing the risk to health of increasing body size.

Many experts, however, now use other tools to assess risk, including waist measurement and ratios to hip and height and also body fat calculators and monitors. 

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