Your body mass index, also known as your BMI, is a ratio between your weight and height. You’ll typically calculate your BMI in pounds and inches since these are common units of measure in the United States. The World Health Organization, also known as the WHO, provides weight classifications based on BMI values in metric units. This requires you to convert these BMI values into English units in order to compare them to your BMI.
Step 1
Measure your height in inches with a tape measure. Let your height be 68 in. for this example.
Step 2
Obtain your weight in pounds with a bathroom scale. Let your weight be 158 lb. for this example.
Step 3
Divide your weight in pounds by the square of your height in inches to obtain your BMI in units of lb./sq. in. Your weight is 158 lb. and your height is 68 in., so your BMI is 158 / (68 x 68) = 0.0342 sq. in.
Step 4
Convert BMI values from metric units to English units by dividing by 703. For example, the WHO establishes the normal range for BMI values as those greater than or equal to 18.5 kg/sq. m. and less than 25 kg/sq. m. This is equal to a range between 0.0263 lb./sq. in. and 0.0356 lb./sq. in.
Step 5
Compare your BMI in English units with the WHO BMI values in English units to determine your weight classification. Your BMI is 0.0342 lb./sq. in. in this example, which falls within the normal range of 0.0263 lb./sq. in. and 0.0356 lb./sq. in.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Bathroom scale
- Calculator
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