Overweight Calculator
Am I overweight ยท Healthy weight range ยท Waist to height ratio
โ๏ธ Enter height and weight to see your BMI category, healthy weight range, and how much weight would bring you into the healthy range.
What Does Overweight Mean?
Overweight means a body weight higher than the healthy range for your height. For adults it is defined with body mass index (BMI), which is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The CDC classes a BMI of 25 to less than 30 as overweight and 30 or more as obesity, for adults 20 and older.
This overweight calculator answers the question "am I overweight" in one step. It shows your BMI category, the healthy weight range for your height, how many pounds or kilograms separate you from that range, and a first goal of 5 percent. An optional waist measurement adds a check on belly fat, which BMI alone misses.
BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis. The CDC notes that it does not measure body fat directly, so a healthcare provider uses it alongside other checks.
Overweight Formula With Worked Examples
Overweight Chart by Height
Weight in pounds at each adult BMI cutoff, standard thresholds.
| Height | Healthy | Overweight | Obesity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 95 to 128 | 128 to 153 | 154+ |
| 5'2" (157 cm) | 101 to 136 | 137 to 163 | 164+ |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 108 to 145 | 146 to 174 | 175+ |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 115 to 154 | 155 to 185 | 186+ |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 122 to 164 | 164 to 197 | 197+ |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 129 to 174 | 174 to 208 | 209+ |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 136 to 184 | 184 to 220 | 221+ |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 144 to 194 | 195 to 233 | 234+ |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 152 to 205 | 205 to 246 | 246+ |
Values are rounded, so boundary weights can repeat.
Overweight vs Obese: Adult BMI Categories
| Category | Standard BMI | Lower thresholds (NICE) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to 24.9 | 18.5 to 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25 to 29.9 | 23 to 27.4 |
| Obesity class 1 | 30 to 34.9 | 27.5 to 32.4 |
| Obesity class 2 | 35 to 39.9 | 32.5 to 37.4 |
| Obesity class 3 (severe) | 40 or more | 37.5 or more |
Overweight and obesity sit on the same scale. Obesity is a higher BMI band, and the CDC splits it into three classes because risk rises with each one. Class 3 is sometimes called severe obesity.
Asian and other ethnic thresholds. NICE guideline NG246 advises lower cutoffs for people with a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African Caribbean family background, because health risks start at a lower BMI. Choose "Lower" in the calculator to apply them.
Overweight for men and women. The BMI bands are identical for both sexes. The waist thresholds differ: risk rises above 35 inches for women and above 40 inches for men. CDC survey data for 2021 to 2023 found obesity in 41.3 percent of US women and 39.2 percent of men, and 40.3 percent of all adults.
Overweight by Age
Adult categories apply from age 20 with no change for older ages. NICE advises caution in adults 65 and over, because muscle loss and changes in body shape make BMI less reliable.
Children and teens 2 through 19 use BMI for age percentiles instead of fixed numbers, because body fat changes as they grow.
| Child and teen category | BMI for age percentile |
|---|---|
| Healthy weight | 5th to below 85th |
| Overweight | 85th to below 95th |
| Obesity | 95th or higher |
This calculator is for adults. Use the BMI calculator for a child percentile.
Waist Size and Waist to Height Ratio
Fat stored around the middle carries more risk than fat elsewhere. The NHLBI states that risk rises with a waist over 35 inches for women or over 40 inches for men. Measure just above the hipbones after breathing out.
| Ratio (NICE) | Central adiposity |
|---|---|
| 0.4 to 0.49 | Healthy |
| 0.5 to 0.59 | Increased health risk |
| 0.6 or more | High health risk |
NICE recommends the ratio for adults with a BMI under 35. The NHS puts it simply: keep your waist under half your height.
How Much Weight Should I Lose?
The full distance to a healthy BMI can feel large, so start with a smaller target. The NHLBI recommends losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight over about six months and reports that even 3 to 5 percent can lower triglycerides and blood glucose.
The CDC notes that people who lose 1 to 2 pounds a week are more likely to keep the weight off. The NHS gives 0.5 to 1 kg a week. The calculator uses these rates for its timeline, so 21.4 pounds takes about 11 to 22 weeks.
Overweight and obesity raise the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, and certain cancers, according to the NHLBI. The NHS states obesity can reduce life expectancy by 2 to 10 years.
Limitations and Common Mistakes
- Muscle reads as overweight. BMI counts all weight. NICE advises caution in people with high muscle mass; check your waist ratio.
- Normal BMI, large waist. A healthy BMI with a ratio of 0.5 or more still signals central fat, so the calculator flags it.
- Wrong units. Entering 85 as pounds instead of kilograms gives a BMI near 12.6 for a 175 cm adult.
- Waist at the navel. The NHLBI method measures just above the hipbones, not at the narrowest point.
- Pregnancy. Adult BMI categories do not apply during pregnancy.
- Body fat scales. NICE advises against using bioimpedance as a substitute for BMI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
- CDC, Adult BMI Categories, March 2024. cdc.gov
- CDC, Child and Teen BMI Categories, June 2024. cdc.gov
- NHLBI, Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk, updated December 2025. nhlbi.nih.gov
- CDC, Steps for Losing Weight, January 2025. cdc.gov
- NICE, Overweight and obesity management (NG246). nice.org.uk
- NHS, Obesity. nhs.uk
- CDC NCHS, Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults, 2021 to 2023, Data Brief 508, September 2024. cdc.gov
Results are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a diagnosis or substitute for professional medical advice. Reference data reviewed: 2026.