What BMI range is considered healthy?

For adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is generally considered healthy. 25-29.9 is overweight, 30+ is obese. For athletes with higher muscle mass, body fat percentage is a better gauge than BMI alone.

Is BMI accurate for athletes or muscular people?

BMI can misclassify muscular people as overweight because it doesn’t distinguish muscle from fat. Athletes should use body fat percentage, waist-to-height ratio, and performance metrics alongside BMI for a fuller picture.

BMI Chart & Healthy Weight Guide: Check Your Category

Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most widely used health metrics in the world. It’s a simple calculation based on your height and weight that helps determine if you fall into a healthy weight range.

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Standard BMI Categories (WHO)

The World Health Organization uses these ranges for adults (age 20+):

BMI Score	Classification	Health Risk
Below 18.5	Underweight	Nutritional deficiency risk
18.5 – 24.9	Normal Weight	Low Risk
25.0 – 29.9	Overweight	Increased risk
30.0 and Above	Obese	High risk of cardiovascular disease

The Formula

If you want to do the math manually, here is the formula:

BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]²

Note: If you use pounds and inches, multiply the result by 703.

Limitations: When BMI is Wrong

While BMI is a great screening tool for the general population, it has flaws:

Muscle Mass: Athletes may be classified as "overweight" because muscle is denser than fat.
Age: Older adults tend to lose muscle and gain fat, so a "normal" BMI might mask excess body fat.
Distribution: It doesn't measure where fat is carried (belly fat is riskier than hip fat).

Always consult a doctor for a full health assessment beyond just this number.