Is BMI different for women?
For adult women the BMI formula and categories are exactly the same as for men: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, with 18.5–24.9 classed as healthy weight. What differs is body composition. At the same BMI, women typically carry more body fat than men, so a woman and a man with a BMI of 24 can have quite different body-fat percentages. That is why the female BMI calculator is best read together with your waist size.
BMI calculator for women by age
Enter your age if you like. For women aged 20 and over it does not change the BMI or the category, but it lets the calculator add age-specific notes — for example, many clinicians accept a slightly higher BMI after about 65, when being underweight carries more risk. For girls under 20, BMI is compared with other girls of the same age using CDC percentiles, because body fat changes a lot during growth and puberty. Use the Child BMI Calculator for the full children’s result.
Healthy weight for women by height
The table shows the weight range that gives a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 at common heights for women, in pounds:
| Height | Healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) | BMI 30 (obesity) from |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in | 89 lb – 119 lb | 144 lb |
| 5 ft 0 in | 95 lb – 127 lb | 154 lb |
| 5 ft 2 in | 101 lb – 136 lb | 164 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 108 lb – 145 lb | 175 lb |
| 5 ft 6 in | 115 lb – 154 lb | 186 lb |
| 5 ft 8 in | 122 lb – 164 lb | 197 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 129 lb – 174 lb | 209 lb |
| 6 ft 0 in | 136 lb – 184 lb | 221 lb |
| 6 ft 2 in | 144 lb – 194 lb | 234 lb |
| 6 ft 4 in | 152 lb – 205 lb | 246 lb |
Waist size for women
Fat stored around the waist is more strongly linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease than fat elsewhere. For women, a waist above 80 cm (31.5 in) is linked with higher risk and above 88 cm (35 in) with substantially higher risk. A simple rule that works for everyone is to keep your waist to less than half your height.
Pregnancy, menopause and BMI
BMI is not used to judge weight during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, the Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator uses your pre-pregnancy BMI to show how much weight gain is recommended. Around menopause many women notice weight moving to the waist even if their BMI stays the same — another reason to measure your waist too.