Asian BMI Calculator
Uses the lower cut-offs recommended for people of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background: overweight from 23, obesity from 27.5.
For adults 20+ · Based on WHO & NICE guidance · Updated
Enter your height and weight
Your BMI
Healthy weight for your height: –
Your result and the healthy range for your height will appear here.
Waist-to-height ratio:
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- Calculation
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- BMI Prime
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Asian BMI categories
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5–22.9 | Healthy weight |
| 23–27.4 | Overweight |
| 27.5 or more | Obesity |
Who these cut-offs are for
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the lower cut-offs for adults of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background. A WHO expert consultation in 2004 proposed the same points, 23 and 27.5, as public health action points for Asian populations, while keeping the international categories.
Why the cut-offs are lower
At the same BMI, many people of Asian background have a higher share of body fat and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease than people of white European background. Lower cut-offs flag that risk earlier.
Same number, different category
A BMI of 24 is in the healthy range with the standard cut-offs but in the overweight range with the Asian cut-offs. The calculator shows both: open “Show details” after calculating.