How to use it
- Step 1Enter your height and weight.
- Step 2Say whether you have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or heart disease.
- Step 3Read your BMI, category and the weight at each threshold for your height.
The formula
BMI = 703 × weight (lb) ÷ height (in)², or weight (kg) ÷ height (m)² in metric. At 5 ft 6 in (66 in) and 180 lb: 703 × 180 ÷ 4,356 = 29.1.
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| Under 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Healthy weight |
| 25 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30 to 34.9 | Obesity class 1 |
| 35 to 39.9 | Obesity class 2 |
| 40 and above | Obesity class 3 |
What the GLP-1 labels say
The Zepbound and Wegovy labels cover adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition. Meeting the BMI number doesn't mean a medicine is right for you; only a prescriber can decide that. See Who qualifies for a GLP-1.
Where BMI falls short
BMI doesn't measure fat directly. It can overstate fat in very muscular people and understate it in older adults, and risk at a given BMI differs across ethnic groups. Waist size or a body fat estimate adds context.
Prefer a chart? See BMI by height: precomputed tables for common inputs.
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OpenCommon questions
What BMI do you need for Zepbound or Wegovy?
Their labels cover adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition. Your prescriber and insurer may have extra criteria.
Is BMI accurate?
It's a quick screening number, not a diagnosis. It doesn't tell fat from muscle, so pair it with waist size or body fat.
What counts as a weight-related condition?
Common examples on the labels include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease.
Is BMI different for women and men?
The adult formula and categories are the same for everyone. Children and teens use age- and sex-specific percentiles instead.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a registered dietitian before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error