Indian BMI Calculator
Free BMI calculator for Indians and South Asians, using the revised ICMR and WHO cutoffs. Enter your height and weight to see your Body Mass Index under both Indian standards (normal 18.5-22.9) and the global WHO standard (normal 18.5-24.9) - because the same BMI means different things for Indian bodies.
Indians carry more visceral fat and less muscle at any given BMI than Europeans, which is why diabetes and heart-disease risk starts climbing at BMI 23 in the Indian population. Add your waist measurement for a fuller picture of abdominal-obesity risk.
Healthy BMI range for Indians
18.5 to 22.9 is the normal/healthy BMI range for Indian adults (ICMR/WHO). 23.0-24.9 is overweight, 25 and above is obese. The same cutoffs apply to Indian men and women.
Your BMI
24.2
Indian standard (ICMR/WHO)
Overweight
Global standard (WHO)
Normal
Note: a BMI that looks normal on a global chart is overweight for Indians - because South Asians carry more body fat at the same BMI.
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Start Free - no card neededIndian vs global BMI cutoffs
| Category | Global (WHO) | Indian (ICMR/WHO) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | 23.0 – 24.9 |
| Obese (Class I) | 30.0 – 34.9 | 25.0 – 29.9 |
| Obese (Class II) | 35.0 + | 30.0 + |
These revised cutoffs come from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and a WHO expert consultation on Asian populations. Read the full explanation in Why Indian BMI Standards Are Different.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
Under the revised cutoffs recommended by the ICMR and WHO for Indian and South Asian adults, a healthy (normal) BMI is 18.5 to 22.9 - lower than the global "normal" range of 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 23 to 24.9 is considered overweight for Indians, and 25 and above is obese.
What is the normal BMI range in India?
The normal BMI range in India is 18.5 to 22.9 for adults, per ICMR guidance. Below 18.5 is underweight, 23.0 to 24.9 is overweight, 25.0 to 29.9 is obese Class I, and 30 and above is obese Class II. These cutoffs apply to both men and women.
Why are Indian BMI standards different from global standards?
At the same BMI, South Asians carry significantly more body fat - especially harmful visceral (abdominal) fat - and less muscle than Europeans. Health risks like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease start rising at a BMI of 23 in Indians, not 25, which is why the ICMR and WHO recommend lower cutoffs for Indian and South Asian populations.
What is the BMI classification for Indian population?
Indian BMI classification (ICMR/WHO): Underweight below 18.5, Normal 18.5-22.9, Overweight 23.0-24.9, Obese Class I 25.0-29.9, Obese Class II 30 and above. This is the same scale used in the calculator on this page.
Is the BMI chart for Indians different for men and women?
No - the Indian BMI cutoffs (18.5-22.9 normal) apply equally to adult Indian men and women. Sex matters for waist circumference: the abdominal-obesity cutoff is 90 cm for Indian men and 80 cm for Indian women.
My BMI is 24 - is that overweight in India?
Yes, under Indian (ICMR) cutoffs a BMI of 23.0 to 24.9 is the overweight range. The global WHO chart still labels 24 as "normal", but Indian-specific guidance treats it as overweight because metabolic risk in South Asians starts climbing around BMI 23.
Is BMI accurate for muscular people?
No. BMI only uses height and weight, so it cannot tell muscle from fat. A muscular person can have a high BMI with low body fat. For Indians, waist circumference (below 90 cm for men, 80 cm for women) is often a better risk marker than BMI alone.
What is a healthy waist size for Indians?
The Indian waist circumference cutoffs for abdominal obesity are 90 cm (about 35.4 inches) for men and 80 cm (about 31.5 inches) for women. These are tighter than the global cutoffs (102 cm and 88 cm) because South Asians store more visceral fat at any given waist size.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI = weight (kg) divided by height in metres squared. For example, 70 kg at 1.70 m = 70 / (1.70 x 1.70) = 24.2. The formula is the same worldwide; only the category cutoffs change between global and Indian standards.
Disclaimer: BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and this calculator is for general information only - not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to interpret your results.
Related: Calorie & Macro Calculator