June 26, 2024

Child and Teen BMI Calculator

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of weight relative to height. For children and teens, BMI is interpreted using sex-specific BMI-for-age percentiles. This calculator reports BMI, BMI percentile, and BMI category for children and teens 2 through 19.

Health care professional measuring child's height

Child and Teen BMI Calculator

People 20 and older should use the Adult BMI Calculator.

Keep Reading: Measuring Children’s Height and Weight

This calculator generates the BMI, BMI percentile, and BMI category for children and teens 2 through 19. The calculator also plots the BMI percentile on a growth chart and explains the results. Because of possible differences in rounding for age, weight, and height, the results from this calculator may differ slightly from other program results.

BMI is one potential health indicator and should be considered with other factors when assessing an individual's health. These factors may include a patient's medical history, health behaviors, physical exam findings, and laboratory findings. Read more About BMI. Persons may consider seeking advice from their health care providers about their BMI. This calculator is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

BMI Calculator for Child and Teen

Calculated Results

BMI

Information Entered

Age:

Sex:

Height:

Weight:

Detailed Results

Based on the information entered, the body mass index (BMI) is 0. This child's BMI-for-age is ataboveless than the 0^th percentile, which means that this child's BMI is lessgreater than the BMIs of 0% of 0-year-old s in the reference population used to create CDC's growth charts. This child's BMI falls into the category, defined as a BMI that is less than the 5^th percentileat or above the 95^th percentileat or above 120% of the 95^th percentile for sex and age or a BMI that is at or above 35 kg/m².

Body mass index-for-age percentiles: s, 2 to 20 years

What does this mean?

BMI is a calculated measure of weight relative to height. BMI is used to assess a child's physical growth.

Because children and teens are growing, BMI values must be expressed relative to other children of the same sex and age. BMI-for-age percentiles indicate how your child's BMI compares to BMIs of children of the same sex and age in the reference population used to create the CDC growth charts.

BMI Category Percentile Ranges Table
BMI Category	BMI Range
Underweight	Less than the 5^th percentile
Healthy Weight	5^th percentile to less than the 85^th percentile
Overweight	85^th percentile to less than the 95^th percentile
Obesity	95^th percentile or greater
Severe Obesity	120% of the 95^th percentile or greater OR a BMI of 35 kg/m² or greater

What can parents, caregivers, and teens do?

Discuss the BMI results with your healthcare provider as BMI can relate to overall health and well-being. Learn more about Defining Child BMI Categories. Encourage children and teens to build and practice healthy routines.

Remember

Please keep in mind that BMI is a screening measure and is not intended to diagnose disease or illness. This BMI calculator is not meant to serve as a source of clinical guidance and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

What can healthcare providers do?

Healthcare providers can assess height, weight, and BMI percentile at least annually for all children to help monitor growth relative to other children of the same age and sex. Healthcare providers can also assess for social and health risk factors, such as food insecurity and family history, and work with the patient and family on an individual plan to maintain a healthy weight and help prevent chronic conditions.

Related Resources

Resources

June 25, 2024

Sources Print Share

Content Source:

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP); About the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

Child and Teen BMI Calculator

What to know

Child and Teen BMI Calculator

BMI Calculator for Child and Teen

Child/Teen BMI Calculator

Units

Calculated Results

Information Entered

On this page

Detailed Results

Body mass index-for-age percentiles: s, 2 to 20 years

What does this mean?

What can parents, caregivers, and teens do?

Remember

What can healthcare providers do?

Related Resources

Information Entered

Please wait while your BMI is calculated...

Embed this widget on your site

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Resources

BMI