Having a body mass index, or BMI, within the healthy range is an important part of staying healthy, because being overweight or obese increases your risk for cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BMI provides an easy way for people to assess their overall body fatness and determine their weight-related health. If you know your mass in kilograms, it is relatively easy to determine your BMI.
Calculate BMI from Mass Using Height in Inches
Step 1
Measure your height in inches. Stand against a wall, look straight ahead, and put a ruler or other straight-edge on your head so that it is parallel to the floor. Have an assistant mark where, on the wall, the straight-edge touches. Then measure your height in inches from the floor to that mark.
Step 2
Calculate your weight in pounds. If you know your mass in kilograms, multiply it by 2.2 to get your weight in pounds.
Step 3
Determine your BMI by using an online BMI calculator (see Resources) and entering your weight in pounds and height in inches. Make sure the calculator is set to "standard," not "metric."
You can also calculate your BMI yourself. First, square your height in inches. Then divide your weight in pounds by your squared height. Finally, multiply this resulting number by 703. This is your BMI.
Calculate BMI from Mass Using Height in Centimeters
Step 1
Measure your height in centimeters. Stand against a wall, look straight ahead, and put a ruler or other straight-edge on your head so that it is parallel to the floor. Have an assistant mark where, on the wall, the straight-edge touches. Then measure your height in centimeters from the floor to that mark.
Step 2
Calculate your height in meters from your height in centimeters by dividing by 100. For example, 125 centimeters = 1.25 meters.
Step 3
Determine your BMI by using an online BMI calculator (see Resources) and entering your mass in kilograms and your height in meters--make sure the calculator is set to "metric."
You can also calculate your BMI yourself. First, square your height in meters. Then divide your mass in kilograms by your squared height. This is your BMI.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Ruler or other flat straight-edge
- Pencil
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