What is a healthy bmi by age?
The guideline is between 18.5 and 24.9 for a good BMI, according to the CDC. Body mass index can provide additional context to height and weight, use our BMI calculator.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way to determine if a person has a healthy body weight based on their height and weight. This measurement can be used to classify whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. The normal BMI range for men and women can change depending on their age and stage of life. Here are some general guidelines to understand what is considered a healthy BMI range.
- BMI Less than 16: Severely underweight
- BMI 18.5 16 to -17: Moderately underweight
- BMI 17 to 18.5: Mildly underweight
- BMI 18.5 to 25: Healthy weight
- BMI 25 to 30: Overweight
- BMI 30 to 35: Obese class I
- BMI 35 to 40: Obese class II
- BMI Greater than 40: Obese class III
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all adults maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 25 to reduce the risk of developing health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Normal BMI ranges
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Less than 16 | Severely underweight |
| 16 to 17 | Moderately underweight |
| 17 to 18.5 | Mildly underweight |
| 18.5 to 25 | Healthy weight |
| 25 to 30 | Overweight |
| 30 to 35 | Obese class I |
| 35 to 40 | Obese class II |
| Greater than 40 | Obese class III |
What is a good BMI for your age?
For young and middle-aged (18 to 39 years old), a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. For over the age of 40, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered healthy.
What is a good BMI for women by age?
If you are wondering what is the ideal BMI of your age? Find more details below or look at our BMI chart.
Age 20-29
What is a good bmi for an adult between 20 and 29 years old?
For adults between the ages of 20 and 29, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy.
Age 30-39
What is a good bmi for an adult between 30 and 39 years old?
For adults between the ages of 30 and 39, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy.
Age 40-49
What is a good bmi for an adult between 40 and 49 years old?
For adults between the ages of 40 and 49, a BMI between 19 and 25 is generally considered healthy
Age 50-59
What is a good bmi for an adult between 50 and 59 years old?
For adults between the ages of 50 and 59, a BMI between 20 and 26 is generally considered healthy.
Age 60 and over
What is a good bmi for an adult over 60 years old?
For adults over the age of 60, a BMI between 22 and 27 is generally considered healthy.
| Age Range | Healthy BMI | Average BMI in the US |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 18.5 to 24.9 | 27.5 |
| 30-39 | 18.5 to 25.9 | 29.9 |
| 40-49 | 19 to 25 | 29.9 |
| 50-59 | 20 to 26 | 29.9 |
| 60 and over | 22 to 27 | 28.1 |
How to calculate BMI?
To calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), you can use the following formula: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2. An example of this would be if your weight is 60 kilograms and your height is 1.7 meters, your BMI would be 20.8.
Alternatively, you can use an online BMI calculator to find your BMI. However, it's important to note that BMI does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution. Therefore, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice on your ideal weight range.
Most popular BMI
| BMI | BMI status |
|---|---|
| 14 | Underweight |
| 15 | Underweight |
| 16 | Underweight |
| 17 | Underweight |
| 18 | Underweight |
| 18.5 | Underweight |
| 19 | Healthy Weight |
| 20 | Healthy Weight |
| 21 | Healthy Weight |
| 22 | Healthy Weight |
| 23 | Healthy Weight |
| 24 | Healthy Weight |
| 25 | Healthy Weight |
| 26 | Overweight |
Frequently Asked Questions about Body Mass Index (BMI)
Is 14 BMI good?
If your BMI is 14, you are considered underweight
Is 15 BMI good?
If your BMI is 15, you are considered underweight
Is 16 BMI good?
If your BMI is 16, you are considered underweight
Is 17 BMI good?
If your BMI is 17, you are considered underweight
Is 18 bmi good?
If your BMI is 18, you are considered mildly underweight
Is 19 bmi good?
If your BMI is 19, you are considered healthy
Is 20 bmi good?
If your BMI is 20, you are considered healthy
Is 21 bmi good?
If your BMI is 21, you are considered healthy
Is 22 bmi good?
If your BMI is 22, you are considered healthy
Is 23 bmi good?
If your BMI is 23, you are considered healthy
Is 24 bmi good?
If your BMI is 24, you are considered healthy
Is 25 bmi good?
If your BMI is 25, you are considered healthy
Is 26 bmi good?
If your BMI is 26, you are considered overweight
Is 27 bmi good?
If your BMI is 27, you are considered overweight