BMI
2 synonyms for BMI, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A number calculated from a person's weight and height, obtained by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres. It is used to place individuals into broad weight categories and, in research, to compare groups of people.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
body mass index
Quetelet index
How to use BMI
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
calculate BMI
BMI category
high BMI
BMI threshold
Written in capitals without full stops. Standard in medicine, public health and insurance forms; the expanded form body mass index is used on first mention in formal writing.
Etymology
An initialism of body mass index.
Full origin of BMI →Frequently asked questions
How is BMI calculated?
Weight in kilograms is divided by height in metres squared, so a person of 70 kg and 1.75 m has a BMI of 70 divided by 3.0625, which is about 22.9. Imperial versions of the formula apply a conversion factor to pounds and inches.
Does BMI measure body fat?
No. It uses only height and weight, so it cannot distinguish muscle from fat or say where on the body weight is carried. This is a well-known limitation, which is why other measures such as waist circumference are also recorded.
Why was BMI created?
It originated as a population-level statistic for comparing groups rather than as an assessment of any one person, and it is still most defensible in that role. Its use for individuals came later and remains contested among clinicians.
