BMI Calculator for Women by Age
Body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to check whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height. This free BMI calculator for women shows your BMI, your category, and the exact weight range that counts as healthy for your height.
Enter your height and weight in US or metric units. Add your age if you’re over 65 to see an extra note for older women.
BMI Calculator for Women by Age
Find your body mass index (BMI), your category, and the healthy weight range for your height.
BMI categories are the CDC’s categories for adults 20 and older. BMI is a screening number, not a diagnosis. It doesn’t measure body fat directly or tell muscle from fat.
BMI Categories for Women
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Healthy weight |
| 25.0 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 to 34.9 | Obesity (class 1) |
| 35.0 to 39.9 | Obesity (class 2) |
| 40.0 and above | Obesity (class 3) |
Source: CDC. These categories are the same for adult women and men.
BMI Chart for Women by Height
Weight ranges in pounds for each BMI category:
Want your healthy weight range in pounds? See our height and weight chart for women.
| Height | Healthy (18.5 to 24.9) | Overweight (25 to 29.9) | Obesity (30+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10” | 89 to 119 lb | 120 to 143 lb | 144 lb or more |
| 4’11” | 92 to 123 lb | 124 to 148 lb | 149 lb or more |
| 5’0” | 95 to 128 lb | 129 to 153 lb | 154 lb or more |
| 5’1” | 98 to 132 lb | 133 to 158 lb | 159 lb or more |
| 5’2” | 102 to 136 lb | 137 to 164 lb | 165 lb or more |
| 5’3” | 105 to 141 lb | 142 to 169 lb | 170 lb or more |
| 5’4” | 108 to 145 lb | 146 to 174 lb | 175 lb or more |
| 5’5” | 112 to 150 lb | 151 to 180 lb | 181 lb or more |
| 5’6” | 115 to 154 lb | 155 to 185 lb | 186 lb or more |
| 5’7” | 119 to 159 lb | 160 to 191 lb | 192 lb or more |
| 5’8” | 122 to 164 lb | 165 to 197 lb | 198 lb or more |
| 5’9” | 126 to 169 lb | 170 to 203 lb | 204 lb or more |
| 5’10” | 129 to 174 lb | 175 to 209 lb | 210 lb or more |
| 5’11” | 133 to 179 lb | 180 to 215 lb | 216 lb or more |
| 6’0” | 137 to 184 lb | 185 to 221 lb | 222 lb or more |
BMI Chart for Women by Age: Does Healthy BMI Change?
For adult women aged 20 and older, the BMI categories are the same at every age. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy whether you’re 30, 50 or 70. (For children and teens, BMI works differently and uses age-based percentiles.)
What does change with age is body composition:
- After 40, women tend to lose muscle and gain fat, so your BMI can stay the same while your body fat goes up.
- During and after menopause, weight often shifts to the waist. Belly fat is linked with higher heart and diabetes risk, which BMI doesn’t show.
- Over 65, some research suggests a BMI slightly above 25 may not carry extra risk, while being underweight is linked with frailty and fractures. Your doctor can help you find the right range.
That’s why it’s worth checking your waist size too.
BMI for Women Over 50 and Over 60
Your BMI is calculated the same way at 50, 60 or 70. But a few things matter more as you get older:
- Protect your muscle. Strength training 2 or more times a week and enough protein help keep muscle and bone. Try our protein calculator for women over 40.
- Watch your waist. A waist over 35 inches (88 cm) is linked with higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in women.
- Don’t aim too low. Being underweight after menopause is linked with bone loss. See how to protect your bones after 40.
Over 50? See our BMI calculator for women over 50, with a chart for women over 60 and 65.
The Limits of BMI
BMI is a useful screening number, but it has limits:
- It can’t tell muscle from fat. A strong, muscular woman can have a “high” BMI.
- It doesn’t show where fat is stored. Belly fat carries more health risk.
- It may be less accurate for some ethnic groups. For example, health risk can start at a lower BMI in many Asian populations.
For a fuller picture, look at BMI alongside your waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar and how active you are. BMI doesn’t show where fat sits. Check your waist-to-hip ratio too. BMI doesn’t measure fat directly. See healthy ranges on our body fat percentage chart.
How to Measure Your Waist
- Stand up straight and breathe out normally.
- Place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hip bones.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight, and level all the way around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy BMI for a woman?
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for adult women.
What is a good BMI for a woman over 50?
The same healthy range, 18.5 to 24.9, applies. After 50, it also helps to keep your waist under 35 inches and protect your muscle with strength training.
Is BMI different for women and men?
The BMI formula and adult categories are the same. Women usually carry more body fat than men at the same BMI.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. In US units: weight (lb) × 703 ÷ height (in)².
Is BMI accurate for older women?
It’s a helpful starting point, but it doesn’t account for muscle loss or belly fat, both common after menopause. Use it alongside your waist size.
Does this calculator save my information?
No. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Related Tools
- Ideal Weight Calculator for Women →
- Calorie Calculator for Women Over 40 →
- Body Fat Calculator for Women →
- Protein Calculator for Women Over 40 →
- All free tools →
This calculator is for general information only and is not medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.
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