This calculator is designed to give the Body Mass Index rating, broken down into age groups of youth, less than 35 as well as 35 and over, from entered values. (you have the choice of either metric or imperial data entry.) Enter your height in feet and inches. If you are exactly 5 feet or 6 feet tall, put a 0 in the inches box. The results could be interpreted or calculated incorrectly if you leave the inches box empty. Enter your weight. Enter your age, in years; then click Calculate for the results. The BMI and associated notations are returned.

An X in either the below 35 age group or 35 and above age group indicates that is YOUR notation. A Y in the below 35 group indicates that your BMI is figured on the national Youth scale (below 17). There is much latitude in the Youth scale, depending on frame size. If a young person is at or near adult height and stature but is only 16 or less, put in the age as 17. Your metric weight and height is also calculated and returned. You may click Clear Values and try again if you wish.

The age group chart given above is for BMI interpretation. (This chart is identical to the calculations but allows viewing of the different divisional breaks.) The medical community generally agrees that your best weight is a lean body with fat being 10 to 18% of total body weight for men and 18 to 25% of total body weight for women. If you exceed these limits you have too much body fat, regardless of your actual weight. It is possible to be overweight but not having too much fat, especially for those with a large muscle mass from body building or other muscle building exercises. Being slightly over the recommended percent body fat range is not usually dangerous, but if you are 20% or more over your ideal weight you are considered at risk for serious health problems. Individuals in that group should consult a doctor for advice.