Your body mass index (BMI) is a method of comparing your weight and your height. Its primary purpose is to assess the weight of members in a population group. Doctors also use the BMI to determine if an individual's weight is in the proper range. You'll typically measure your BMI in English units, although most references use BMI values in metric units. This will require you to convert your BMI from English units to metric units.
Step 1
Weigh yourself with a scale that uses pounds. Assume for this example that you weigh 130 lbs.
Step 2
Measure your height with a tape measure that uses inches. Assume for this example that you're 65 inches tall.
Step 3
Compute your BMI with the equation BMI = w / (h x h) where w is your weight in pounds and h is your height in inches. Your BMI for this example is 130 / (65 x 65) = 0.0308 lbs. per square inch in this example.
Step 4
Multiply your BMI from Step 3 by 703. This will convert your BMI from pounds per square inch to kilograms per square meter. Your BMI is 0.0308 x 703 = 21.7 kg per square meter in this example.
Step 5
Use the WHO BMI reference to establish your weight classification. The normal BMI range is from 18 1/2 to 25 kg per square meter. The BMI of 21.7 kg per square meter in this example is within the normal range.
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