Body Mass Index, abbreviated as BMI, is a measure of your body fat based on height and weight. This number is most often used in the medical field and the public health community to determine whether adults are underweight, at a normal weight, overweight or obese. Many Web-based tools are available that allow you to quickly determine your BMI.
Step 1
Decide if you will use English or metric units and stay consistent with your choice when measuring height and weight.
Step 2
Determine your weight in either pounds or kilograms. Record this number.
Step 3
Determine your height in inches or in meters. For some tools you may need to convert meters to centimeters. Record this number.
Step 4
Locate a BMI tool online from a qualified medical source. Three ideal sources include the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic (see links below).
Step 5
Use the numbers you recorded for your height and weight and input them into the corresponding spots within the Web-based tool.
Step 6
Click on the button that allows you to submit or calculate your information.
Step 7
Look at the results that appear on the screen once the online tool computes your BMI. Along with that it should tell you in which category the BMI classifies you.
Step 8
Read through any additional information the program provides about your BMI or check out any additional links it provides for suggestions about lowering your BMI if it is at an unhealthy level.
Tips and Warnings
- Use BMI as a general guide to health. If you exercise regularly, eat right and your doctor says you are healthy despite the fact that you may be at the lower end of the overweight category based on BMI, don't stress over the number.
- Remember that BMI only takes into consideration weight and height. Those with extra muscle mass such as athletes and weight lifters may be healthy but often have a BMI that indicates they are overweight.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Tape measure or yard stick
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