BMI Chart for Adults: What Your Result Means

This BMI chart shows how adult results are grouped and what each range usually means.

Find your number first with the BMI calculator, then compare it with the chart below.

Informational site. This content is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nutritionist or other health professional. BMI is only a general screening reference.

BMI chart for adults

• Below 18.5: underweight
• 18.5 to 24.9: healthy weight
• 25 to 29.9: overweight
• 30 to 34.9: obesity class 1
• 35 to 39.9: obesity class 2
• 40 or more: obesity class 3

BMI for men and women

The same adult ranges are used for men and women. Women tend to carry more body fat than men at the same BMI, so the number is only a starting point.

Children and teenagers use percentile charts by age and sex, so this adult chart does not apply to them.

What to do with the result

If your result is outside the healthy range, a doctor or nutritionist can check your full picture, including waist size, habits and medical history.

How the BMI ranges were defined

The adult BMI ranges used in this chart come from the classification published by the World Health Organization. They were built from large population studies that linked different BMI values to the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The ranges are a public health tool and work best for groups of people, which is why they should be read as a guide for an individual and not as a diagnosis.

What each range usually means

• Underweight: the body may not be getting enough energy or nutrients. A professional can check for causes such as low food intake, thyroid problems or other conditions.
• Healthy weight: this range is linked with the lowest average risk, but habits like activity, sleep and diet still matter.
• Overweight: risk starts to rise on average, but many people in this range are healthy, especially when they are active.
• Obesity class 1, 2 and 3: risk rises with each step, and medical follow-up is recommended.

Why waist size also matters

Fat stored around the abdomen is linked with more health risk than fat stored in the hips and thighs. Doctors often measure waist circumference together with BMI. As a general reference, a waist above 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women is often considered a point of attention, but the exact limit varies by guideline and by ethnic group.

BMI at different ages

Adults over 65 may be healthier with a BMI slightly above the standard healthy range, because a little extra reserve can protect against illness and frailty. For children and teenagers, doctors use growth charts by age and sex. A BMI chart for adults should never be used to judge a child.

How to read a result close to the limit

If your result is 24.8 or 25.2, the difference is tiny and does not change your health overnight. Look at the trend over months, at your waist size and at how you feel. A stable number inside or near the healthy range is usually more important than a single reading.

Questions people ask about the BMI chart

Is the BMI chart different for men and women? No. The adult ranges are the same, but men usually have more muscle and women more body fat at the same BMI.

Can athletes use the BMI chart? They can, but the result may look high because of muscle mass. Body composition tests are more useful for them.

Does a normal BMI guarantee good health? No. It is one signal among many, along with blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, activity and diet.

How to use this chart together with the calculator

Start by getting your number with the BMI calculator on the first post of this guide. Then find your result in the chart and read the description of the range. If you are close to a limit, repeat the measurement in a few weeks under the same conditions before drawing conclusions.

Common misunderstandings about BMI

• A BMI above 25 does not mean you are sick, and a BMI inside the healthy range does not mean you have no risk.
• BMI does not tell where your body stores fat, and that matters for health.
• Pregnant women should not use the chart, because weight changes are expected and monitored by their doctor.
• Quick changes in BMI over a few days usually come from water, not fat or muscle.

Use the chart as a conversation starter with a professional. Bring your numbers to your next check-up, along with your waist size and blood pressure if you have them.