BMI for 5′1″ and 185 lb
BMI = 35.0 (Obesity class I)
An adult who is 5′1″ tall and weighs 185 lb has a body mass index of 35.0. The healthy weight range for this height (BMI 18.5–24.9) is about 98 lb to 132 lb.
For adults 20 and over. BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.
How this BMI is calculated
- Height in inches: 5 × 12 + 1 = 61 in; squared: 3,721.
- BMI = 703 × weight ÷ height²: 703 × 185 ÷ 3,721 = 35.0.
BMI Prime (BMI ÷ 25) is 1.40: values above 1.0 are above the healthy range.
At this height, a weight of 132 lb or less corresponds to a BMI under 25.
BMI chart for 5′1″
| 100 lb | 18.9 | Healthy weight |
| 110 lb | 20.8 | Healthy weight |
| 120 lb | 22.7 | Healthy weight |
| 130 lb | 24.6 | Healthy weight |
| 140 lb | 26.5 | Overweight |
| 150 lb | 28.3 | Overweight |
| 160 lb | 30.2 | Obesity class I |
| 170 lb | 32.1 | Obesity class I |
| 180 lb | 34.0 | Obesity class I |
| 190 lb | 35.9 | Obesity class II |
| 200 lb | 37.8 | Obesity class II |
| 210 lb | 39.7 | Obesity class II |
| 220 lb | 41.6 | Obesity class III |
| 230 lb | 43.5 | Obesity class III |
| 240 lb | 45.3 | Obesity class III |
| 250 lb | 47.2 | Obesity class III |
| 260 lb | 49.1 | Obesity class III |
| 270 lb | 51.0 | Obesity class III |
| 280 lb | 52.9 | Obesity class III |
| 290 lb | 54.8 | Obesity class III |
| 300 lb | 56.7 | Obesity class III |
BMI categories for adults (WHO)
- Under 18.5: underweight
- 18.5–24.9: healthy weight
- 25–29.9: overweight
- 30 or more: obesity (class I 30–34.9, II 35–39.9, III 40+)
For people of Asian descent, health risks rise at lower BMIs, and 23 and 27.5 are often used as action points. BMI does not separate muscle from fat, so very muscular people can have a high BMI without excess fat. It is a screening tool; talk to a health professional about your own situation.
Nearby heights
Frequently asked questions
What is the BMI of someone 5′1″ and 185 lb?
A BMI of 35.0, which the WHO classifies as Obesity class I for adults.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared: BMI = kg ÷ m². In US units, BMI = 703 × pounds ÷ inches².
What is a healthy BMI?
For adults the World Health Organization classes 18.5 to 24.9 as a healthy weight, 25 to 29.9 as overweight and 30 or more as obesity. For people of Asian descent, lower cut-offs (23 and 27.5) are often used for health risk.
Is BMI accurate?
BMI is a quick screening measure, not a diagnosis. It does not distinguish muscle from fat, so it can overestimate fat in athletes and underestimate it in older adults. Waist size and other checks give a fuller picture.