How To Calculate BMI Using Pounds & Inches

BMI stands for body mass index, a quick calculation based on your height and weight used to screen for obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 represents a normal weight for your height. However, the formula does not take into consideration your body makeup. For example, athletes who have a significant amount of muscle often have a BMI that classifies them as overweight because muscle is denser than fat.

Step 1

Calculate your height in inches by multiplying the number of feet tall you are by 12. For example, if you measure 5 feet, 10 inches tall, you would multiply 5 by 12 to get 60 and add 10 to get 70 inches.

Step 2

Square your height in inches. In this example, you would square 70 to get 4,900.

Step 3

Divide your weight in pounds by 4,900. For example, if you weigh 170 pounds, you would divide 170 by 4,900 to get 0.034693878.

Step 4

Multiply the result from Step 3 by 703 to find your BMI. Finishing the example, you would multiply 0.034693878 by 703 to find your BMI to be at 24.4.