From a category to a plan
Run the form, then decide what the band is asking you to do. Under 18.5, a gain or a hold is the plan, not another cut. From 18.5 to 24.9, keep the weight that feels strong and use the scale as a checkpoint. At 25 and above, a loss plan from maintenance is the usual next step. The ratio is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. The same steps, written as a formula, are on theBMI calculator at Calories Calculator, and aBMI chart by height shows each band in kilograms.
The bands this form uses
These are the adult bands published by theWorld Health Organization. They are a screen, and they are the labels the result card prints.
- Underweight: below 18.5
- Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9
- Obesity class I: 30 to 34.9
- Obesity class II: 35 to 39.9
- Obesity class III: 40 and above
A goal that is more than the band
Someone at 170 cm and 82 kg has a BMI of 82 ÷ 1.70² = 28.4, in the overweight band. The top of the normal band at that height is about 24.9 × 1.70² = 72 kg. That 72 kg is a reference, not an order. If training has added muscle, checkbody fat andlean body mass before you diet down to a formula weight. When you do want a date, theweight loss calculator takes the goal weight and a pace.
MyPlate: Calorie Deficit App keeps the calorie side of that goal: a daily target, and meals logged by photo or barcode. Free to download, try every feature free. 3-day free trial.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How should I use BMI when I set a goal?
Read the category, then pick a goal weight inside or toward the 18.5 to 24.9 band if that band fits your frame. BMI is a screening ratio of weight to height. It does not see muscle, so pair it with a waist or a body-fat estimate before you treat the category as a deadline.
What does a high BMI mean for a fat-loss plan?
A result at 25 or above is a reason to set a loss plan from your maintenance calories, not a diagnosis. Choose a pace around 0.5 kg a week and keep protein high so the loss is not all muscle. The weight-loss calculator turns a goal weight into a date.
Can I have a high BMI and still be lean?
Yes. A muscular person can land in the overweight band with a low fat percentage. If that is you, use the body-fat calculator and the lean body mass calculator before you cut calories to chase a lower BMI.
How does the app fit after I know my BMI?
MyPlate: Calorie Deficit App sets a daily calorie target from your goal weight and logs meals by photo or barcode. Free to download, try every feature free. 3-day free trial. BMI itself is not a meal log.