BMI for Men

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple screening tool that compares your weight to your height. For men, BMI can give a quick snapshot of whether your weight is generally in a healthy range, but it does not tell the whole story.

If you want to calculate your BMI right now, use our BMI calculator. It works for both metric and imperial units.

What is a healthy BMI for men?

For most adult men, BMI is interpreted using the same categories as the general population:

These ranges are linked to health risks at a population level. A higher BMI is associated with increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Why BMI can be misleading for men

BMI does not measure body fat directly. Men with a lot of muscle mass — such as athletes or people who strength train regularly — may have a high BMI even if their body fat is low.

Other factors that BMI does not account for include:

For this reason, BMI should be viewed as a starting point, not a diagnosis.

How men should use BMI

BMI is most useful when combined with other information. If your BMI is outside the normal range, it may be a good idea to:

You can calculate your BMI and see your weight category using our free BMI calculator.