Children BMI Calculator

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to estimate body fat. For children and teens, BMI is interpreted differently than for adults because children are still growing and their body composition changes with age.

The BMI formula is the same for children as for adults:

However, the interpretation uses percentiles based on age and gender, comparing a child's BMI to other children of the same age and sex using CDC growth charts.

BMI for kids is important because it helps identify potential weight problems early, when they're easier to address. It's a screening tool that can help healthcare providers determine if a child needs further evaluation.

Related calculators you might find useful:

• BMI Calculator
• Healthy BMI Guide
• BMI for Men
• BMI for Women
• BMI for Children

BMI-for-age growth charts are essential tools for tracking child growth. These charts show how a child's BMI compares to others of the same age and gender.

A healthy BMI for kids is typically between the 5th and 85th percentile for their age and gender. Percentiles below 5th may indicate underweight, while percentiles above 85th may indicate overweight, and above 95th may indicate obesity.

These charts account for normal growth patterns and developmental changes, making them more appropriate for children than adult BMI ranges.

BMI Prime is a useful modification that expresses BMI as a ratio. For kids, this concept is adapted to their age-specific growth patterns.

Healthy BMI percentiles for kids vary by age and gender. What's considered healthy for a 5-year-old boy may differ from a 15-year-old girl. This is why percentile-based assessment is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Using our BMI calculator for kids is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Enter the child's gender: Select either "Male" or "Female" using the radio buttons.
2. Enter the child's age: Select the child's current age from the dropdown menu.
3. Enter the child's height: Input the child's height in centimeters (cm).
4. Enter the child's weight: Input the child's weight in kilograms (kg).
5. Click 'Calculate BMI': Your child's BMI will be calculated and displayed along with their percentile and health category.

While the BMI formula is the same for boys and girls, the interpretation differs because boys and girls have different growth patterns and body compositions.

Boys typically have higher muscle mass and different fat distribution patterns than girls. This means that the same BMI value may represent different body compositions for boys versus girls.

Our calculator automatically accounts for these differences by using gender-specific growth charts, ensuring accurate percentile calculations for both boys and girls.