Guides
BMI chart: the WHO adult categories
These are the adult cut-off points used by the World Health Organization.
Short answer
For adults, the WHO classes BMI below 18.5 as underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 as healthy weight, 25 to 29.9 as overweight and 30 or more as obesity, which is further divided into class 1 (30 to 34.9), class 2 (35 to 39.9) and class 3 (40 or more).
| 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 |
Using the chart
- The categories apply to adults aged 18 and over. Children and teenagers use percentile charts.
- The cut-off points are the same for men and women.
- The WHO has noted that some populations, for example many Asian populations, can face higher health risk at lower BMI, and some countries use their own cut-off points. In Japan, for example, the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity classes a BMI of 25 or more as obesity.
A category is a label for a number, not a medical diagnosis. Your doctor can interpret your BMI together with other measurements.
Find your own value with the BMI calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What BMI is considered obese?
A BMI of 30 or more is classed as obesity in the WHO scheme for adults. It is divided into class 1 (30 to 34.9), class 2 (35 to 39.9) and class 3 (40 or more).
Is a BMI of 25 bad?
A BMI of 25 is the lower edge of the overweight category. It is a reason to look at the whole picture, such as waist size, fitness and diet, rather than a verdict.