BMI for 5'2", 180 lbs
Use the calculator below to change the height, weight, or switch to metric units.
Your BMI
32.9
Result
At 180 lbs with a BMI of 32.9, this falls in the "Obese Class I" category. A healthy weight for this height is roughly 101.1–136.1 lbs.
Healthy Weight Range
101.1–136.1 lbs
BMI Prime
1.32
Where your BMI falls among categories
What Is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple screening measure that relates your weight to your height, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. It's widely used because it only requires height and weight, making it fast and inexpensive to calculate compared to more precise body-composition methods like DEXA scans or skinfold calipers.
BMI doesn't directly measure body fat, and it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass — a very muscular person can show a high BMI without carrying excess body fat. It's best used as a population-level screening tool and general guide rather than a precise individual diagnosis.
BMI Categories
| Category | BMI Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight | 0–18.5 |
| Normal Weight | 18.5–25 |
| Overweight | 25–30 |
| Obese Class I (you) | 30–35 |
| Obese Class II | 35–40 |
| Obese Class III | 40+ |
Why BMI Uses Height Squared
Body mass scales roughly with the square of height for people of similar proportions, so dividing weight by height squared (rather than just height) produces a number that's reasonably comparable across people of different heights — a taller and a shorter person of proportionally similar build will land close to the same BMI.
Limitations of BMI
BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, age, or sex-based differences in body composition. Athletes and bodybuilders often score in the "overweight" or "obese" range despite low body fat, while older adults can have a "normal" BMI while carrying more fat and less muscle than the number suggests.
BMI Prime
BMI Prime expresses your BMI as a ratio to the upper limit of the normal range (25) — a value under 1.0 means you're under that threshold, while a value at or above 1.0 means your BMI meets or exceeds it. It's a quick way to see, at a glance, how far your BMI sits from the normal-weight ceiling.
Example — Your Current Inputs
At 180 lbs with a BMI of 32.9, this falls in the "Obese Class I" category. A healthy weight for this height is roughly 101.1–136.1 lbs.
Additional Example — Metric Units
Someone who is 170 cm tall and weighs 65 kg has a BMI of about 22.5 — squarely in the normal weight range, with a healthy weight range for that height of roughly 53.5–72.0 kg.
About These Parameters
- Height
- Your height without shoes, in feet and inches or centimeters. Even small measurement errors can shift the calculated BMI slightly since height is squared in the formula.
- Weight
- Your current body weight in pounds or kilograms. For the most consistent tracking over time, weigh yourself at the same time of day under similar conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No — it's a useful population-level screening tool but less accurate for very muscular individuals, pregnant women, older adults, and children, who all have body compositions that BMI's simple height-weight ratio doesn't capture well.
What's a healthy BMI?
The commonly used healthy range for adults is 18.5 to 24.9. Below that is considered underweight; 25 and above is considered overweight or obese, in increasing severity classes.
Should I use a different metric for muscular people?
Yes — body fat percentage (via our Body Fat Calculator) or waist-to-height ratio give a more accurate picture for people with above-average muscle mass.