Overweight Calculator
Gender
in
lbs
30 years
Your BMI28.7
CategoryOverweight
Weight to Lose26.5 lbs
Healthy Range129 - 174 lbs
This overweight calculator answers two questions at once: where your Body Mass Index falls on the standard scale, and how many pounds, if any, separate you from the top of the healthy-weight band for your height. It uses the same BMI formula and WHO thresholds clinicians rely on, then works out the gap between your current weight and a BMI of 24.9. The pounds-to-lose figure is a screening estimate, not a medical prescription, and reflects total weight rather than fat specifically.
Formula
weightToLose = currentWeight − (24.9 × height_m²)
- currentWeight
- Your current body weight (converted to kilograms)
- height_m
- Height in metres; BMI = weight ÷ height²
- 24.9
- The upper BMI limit of the normal-weight range
How it works
- Enter your height (feet and inches) and your current weight in pounds.
- Height and weight are converted to centimetres and kilograms, then BMI is computed as weight ÷ height² and matched to a category: Normal, Overweight, or one of the Obese bands.
- The calculator finds the weight at BMI 24.9 (the top of the healthy range) and subtracts it from your current weight; if you are already in range, the amount to lose is shown as zero.
Worked example
Someone who is 5 ft 9 in (69 inches) tall weighs 200 lb and wants to know if they are overweight.
- Convert: height 175.26 cm (1.7526 m), weight 90.72 kg.
- BMI: 90.72 ÷ (1.7526²) = 90.72 ÷ 3.0716 = 29.5 → Overweight.
- Healthy max weight: 24.9 × 1.7526² = 76.49 kg = 168.6 lb; 200 − 168.6 = 31.4 lb.
BMI ≈ 29.5 (Overweight); about 31 lb above the healthy range, which tops out near 169 lb for this height.
Frequently asked questions
- At what BMI am I considered overweight?
- A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, and 30.0 or above is obese. Below 25 (down to 18.5) is the normal range, so the moment your BMI reaches 25 this calculator flags you as overweight.
- How is the "weight to lose" number calculated?
- It is the difference between your current weight and the weight that would put you at a BMI of 24.9 for your height. If you are already at or below that point, the figure is zero — it never suggests losing weight you do not need to.
- Can I be flagged as overweight but still be healthy?
- Yes. Because the calculation rests on BMI, very muscular people can land in the overweight band despite low body fat. A body-fat or waist measurement gives a clearer picture in those cases.
- Is losing the suggested weight always safe or necessary?
- The figure is a general screening estimate, not medical advice. Healthy, sustainable weight loss is usually about 1–2 lb per week, and you should consult a clinician before starting a significant weight-loss plan.