BMI Tools

Your body mass index isn't the best portrayal of your body's fat levels, but it's relatively accurate, reports the University of Virginia Health System. Those with a low BMI may be malnourished, warns the University of Cincinnati Wellness, while a high BMI means you may be obese and have a higher risk of health problems, such as heart disease. Dr. Louis Aronne even says maintaining a healthy BMI may help you sleep better. Measure your BMI with the right tools for an accurate calculation.

Scale

Your weight in pounds is the first major component in calculating your BMI. A scale acts as one of the best ways to accurately measure your weight. Scales can be obtained at most drugstores. For the best results, weigh yourself while wearing no to minimal levels of clothing. Additionally, weigh yourself in the morning before you eat breakfast or drink fluids, as these additional substances may artificially raise your weight.

Ruler

Your height is the second major component in measuring your BMI, according to the National Institutes of Health. Measure your height in inches using a ruler. For the most accurate measurement, you may wish to stand against a wall or door and mark where the top of your head meets the wall or door. Then, measure the distance between this mark and the floor.

Calculator

A calculator--or a traditional pen and paper, if you're good at multiplication and division--is needed to complete your BMI calculations. The National Institutes of Health advise multiplying your weight by 703, then dividing this number by your height squared. The result is your BMI.

For example, say you weigh 150 lbs. and are 60 inches tall. First, multiply your weight by 703, which results in 105,450. Then, divide this by your height squared, or 3,600. Your BMI result is 29.29. The National Institutes of Health report that a healthy BMI ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. You're overweight if you have a BMI between 25 and 29.9, while a BMI of 30 or higher means you're obese.