Chart of Body Mass Index (BMI) for Children
These are very easy to use - no data input required. Find your child's BMI in the chart based on your height and weight.
- About this chart
- Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- View in inches and pounds
- View in centimeters and kilograms
- View/download printable PDF file in inches and pounds
- View/download printable PDF file in centimeters and kilograms
About this chart
The Body Mass Index is a rough measure of body fat. It is not very accurate, because it treats all weight - muscle, fat, bone, etc. - the same. However, by taking into account both height and weight, it does provide a single number that can be useful for discussing health risks and desirable targets.
BMI values that are too high or too low are associated with increased risks for many diseases.
Determining weight status for children
The formula for determining the BMI of children is the same as for adults.
However, the interpretation of weight status (obesity, etc.) is different.
See BMI Percentiles for Boys or
BMI Percentiles for Girls
for more info.
BMI values are determined with this formula:
BMI = weight in pounds ÷ (height in inches × height in inches) × 703
Or this one in metric units:
BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in centimeters × height in centimeters) × 10,000