BodyIndex

BMI Calculator (Imperial)

BMI from pounds and inches, with the classic imperial formula.

Weight (lb)

Height (in)

BMI

23.672

BMI = (weight × 703) / (height in inches)²

Category: Healthy weight

What you entered

Weight (lb): 165Height (in): 70

1
Square the height
70²= 4900.0 in²
2
Multiply weight by 703
165 × 703= 115995.0
3
Divide
115995.0 ÷ 4900.0= 23.7
4
Compare to WHO ranges
Underweight <18.5 · Healthy 18.5–24.9 · Overweight 25–29.9 · Obese 30+= Healthy weight

Result

BMI: 23.672

At 165 lb and 70 in, your BMI is 23.7 — Healthy weight.

BMI in pounds and inches

The imperial BMI formula is 703 x weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared. The rows below hold height fixed at 5 ft 7 in (67 in) so you can see how weight alone moves the number.

Weight	Height	BMI	Category
120 lb	5 ft 7 in	18.8	Healthy weight
140 lb	5 ft 7 in	21.9	Healthy weight
160 lb	5 ft 7 in	25.1	Overweight
180 lb	5 ft 7 in	28.2	Overweight
200 lb	5 ft 7 in	31.3	Obese
220 lb	5 ft 7 in	34.5	Obese
150 lb	5 ft 3 in	26.6	Overweight
150 lb	6 ft 0 in	20.3	Healthy weight

The last two rows show the same weight at two heights. General wellness information only, not medical advice. Discuss any health decision with a qualified clinician.

Why the 703 constant

The metric BMI formula is weight(kg) ÷ height(m)² — the imperial version multiplies by 703 purely to convert pounds and inches into that same underlying metric relationship, so the resulting BMI number matches either way.

A screening tool, not a diagnosis

BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, so it can misclassify very muscular people as overweight — it's best used as a quick population-level signal, not a standalone health verdict.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate BMI with pounds and inches?

BMI = (weight in lbs × 703) ÷ (height in inches)². For example: 150 lbs, 5'7" (67 inches): (150 × 703) ÷ (67²) = 105,450 ÷ 4,489 = 23.5. The 703 multiplier converts imperial units to match the metric BMI scale.

What BMI is considered healthy?

The WHO categories: Underweight < 18.5, Normal 18.5–24.9, Overweight 25–29.9, Obese ≥ 30. A BMI of 22 is roughly the middle of the healthy range. These cutoffs were developed from population studies linking BMI ranges to disease risk.

Why is BMI criticized?

BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat. A 5'10" muscular athlete at 200 lbs has a BMI of 28.7 (overweight) despite being lean. It also doesn't account for age, sex, or ethnicity. It's best as a quick screening tool — body fat percentage, waist circumference, and fitness level give a fuller picture.