BMI Chart UK 2026

How to Read a BMI Chart

A BMI chart — also called a BMI table or height-weight chart — is a visual reference tool that lets you quickly find your BMI category without needing to do any maths. To use the chart above, simply find your height in the left-hand column, then scan across the row until you reach your weight. The colour of that cell tells you your BMI category.

Each cell in the table displays a BMI value. Blue cells represent underweight (BMI below 18.5), green cells represent the healthy weight range (18.5 to 24.9), amber cells represent overweight (25 to 29.9), red cells represent obese (30 to 39.9), and dark red cells represent severely obese (40 and above). This colour coding is consistent with NHS clinical classification used by GPs across the UK.

What Is a Healthy Weight for My Height in the UK?

Your healthy weight range depends entirely on your height. The NHS defines a healthy weight as one that gives a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Here are some common UK height examples and their healthy weight ranges:

• 5ft 0in (152cm): Healthy weight range approximately 43–57 kg (6st 11lb – 9st)
• 5ft 4in (163cm): Healthy weight range approximately 49–65 kg (7st 10lb – 10st 3lb)
• 5ft 7in (170cm): Healthy weight range approximately 53–72 kg (8st 5lb – 11st 4lb)
• 5ft 10in (178cm): Healthy weight range approximately 58–79 kg (9st 2lb – 12st 6lb)
• 6ft 0in (183cm): Healthy weight range approximately 62–85 kg (9st 11lb – 13st 5lb)
• 6ft 2in (188cm): Healthy weight range approximately 65–88 kg (10st 3lb – 13st 12lb)

These ranges are the same for men and women, although body composition naturally differs between the sexes. For a fully personalised assessment, always consult your GP.

Is the BMI Chart the Same for Men and Women?

The standard BMI chart uses the same weight thresholds for both men and women at the same height. A healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 applies to all adults regardless of sex. However, there are important biological differences to understand.

Women naturally carry a higher proportion of body fat than men — typically 6 to 11 percentage points more at the same BMI. This means a woman and a man both with a BMI of 25 may have significantly different body fat percentages and different health risk profiles. For this reason, the NHS recommends that women use waist circumference alongside their BMI result. A waist measurement above 80cm (31.5 inches) in women indicates elevated health risk, regardless of BMI.

For men, the waist circumference threshold is 94cm (37 inches). Men who exceed this are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes even if their BMI falls within the overweight rather than obese range.

BMI Chart for Different Ethnic Groups

One of the most important developments in UK BMI guidance in recent years is the recognition that standard BMI thresholds may not accurately reflect health risk for all ethnic groups. The NHS now officially recommends adjusted lower thresholds for adults of South Asian, Chinese, and Black African or Caribbean heritage.

For these groups, the NHS uses the following thresholds:

• Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 22.9 (rather than 24.9)
• Overweight: BMI 23 to 27.4 (rather than 25 to 29.9)
• Obese: BMI 27.5 and above (rather than 30)

This adjustment reflects research showing that people from these backgrounds are at significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI values than white European populations. If you belong to one of these groups, discuss these adjusted thresholds with your GP when reviewing your BMI result.

How to Use the BMI Chart Alongside Other Health Measures

The BMI chart is most useful as a starting point rather than a definitive health assessment. The NHS recommends using it together with the following additional indicators for a more complete picture of your health.

Waist circumference is one of the most important supplementary measures. Central obesity — carrying excess fat around the abdomen — is strongly associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. You can measure your waist at the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, usually around the belly button.

Waist-to-height ratio is increasingly recommended by researchers as a more accurate predictor of cardiometabolic risk than BMI alone. A healthy waist-to-height ratio is below 0.5 for most adults — meaning your waist circumference should be less than half your height.

Blood pressure and cholesterol checks complement BMI well, particularly in those at the upper end of the healthy range or in the overweight category. Your GP can provide these through a routine NHS health check, available to all adults aged 40 to 74 in England every five years.

What to Do After Checking the BMI Chart

If the chart shows you are in the healthy weight range, the priority is to maintain that through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week for adults — such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

If you are overweight (BMI 25–29.9), even losing 5% of your body weight can meaningfully reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The NHS Better Health campaign offers a free 12-week weight loss plan, recipes, and an app to support you. Your GP can also refer you to local Tier 2 weight management services.

If you are in the obese range (BMI 30 or above), it is important to speak to your GP. They can refer you to NHS specialist weight management services, discuss medication options such as Orlistat or Wegovy, and ensure any underlying health conditions contributing to weight gain are properly managed.

If the chart shows you are underweight, your GP should be your first port of call. Being underweight can be caused by a wide range of factors including nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption conditions, overactive thyroid, or disordered eating. Professional assessment is important before making any dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions