BMI Calculator for Women: BMI Chart, Healthy Ranges, and Tips

If your BMI calculator results were higher than expected, you might be feeling a little caught off guard right now. And that’s okay. Weight gain typically occurs slowly over the course of many years. So unless you’re regularly consulting a BMI chart, surprising results are to be expected.

But knowledge is power. Now that you know which BMI range you fall into, you can make a plan of action. Keep reading to learn more about BMI for women, what it means for a woman your age, and whether your BMI qualifies you for weight loss treatment. 

What is BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a classification system that helps determine whether you’re at a healthy weight for your height. A BMI calculator is a tool healthcare providers can use to help assess your risk of weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Healthcare providers also rely on BMI results to determine whether you qualify for medical weight loss treatments like Wegovy® and compounded semaglutide.

BMI for women is calculated in the same way as it is for men. It’s simply your body weight (in kilograms) divided by your height (in meters) squared. 

BMI calculators don’t incorporate factors like:

• Age

• Sex or gender

• Race or ethnicity

• Body composition 

Because your BMI results don’t factor in key information like your age or medical history, providers use BMI alongside other health assessments when diagnosing obesity and recommending weight loss treatments. A qualifying BMI for weight loss injections is typically 30 or higher or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition. 

If you're considering weight management options, using a BMI calculator or referring to a BMI chart for women can be a great first step in understanding your weight and discussing potential treatment plans with a healthcare provider.

BMI chart for women

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), BMI ranges fall into the following categories:

• Underweight: Less than 18.5

• Healthy Weight: 18.5 to less than 25

• Overweight: 25 to less than 30

• Obesity: 30 or greater

Curious where you fall on the BMI chart for women?

How to lower your BMI

If your BMI falls into the overweight or obesity range, you might feel unsure about what to do next. Figuring out how to lower BMI can be challenging, especially when underlying factors, like hormones and genetics, make weight loss harder for you than it is for other people. 

For many women, losing weight takes a lot more than willpower. Lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to lower BMI. If diet and exercise haven’t helped you manage your weight in the long term, medical weight loss options may help.

When to consider weight loss medication

Many women struggle with weight their entire lives. They watch the number on the scale go up, then down, then up again. If this sounds like you, it might be time to consider medically-assisted weight loss. 

Weight loss medications, including injectable medications like GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1), can help promote lasting weight loss. Oral medications that help support weight loss, like metformin, can also help address some of the underlying factors behind weight gain. 

Medical weight loss might be worth exploring if: 

• You’ve struggled to lose weight with diet and exercise alone

• Every time you lose weight, you end up gaining it back

• It’s become harder to lose weight as you’ve gotten older, had children, or gone through menopause

• You have prediabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or other risk factors

• You have PCOS, a thyroid disorder, or another condition that makes weight loss difficult

Obesity is a chronic disease, and like other chronic conditions, it often requires ongoing management. Medications like GLP-1s and metformin are safe to use long-term (this is standard for people with type 2 diabetes), but when used for weight loss, treatment times vary from person to person. Medication can support you as you adopt healthy lifestyle changes that will make a lasting impact on your health. 

If you’d like to learn more, you can connect with a healthcare provider on the Hers platform from the comfort of your own home.

Qualifying BMI for medical weight loss

To qualify for certain weight loss treatments, like anti-obesity medications or bariatric surgery, you need to have an elevated BMI. But the minimum qualifying BMI varies between treatments (and sometimes between providers). Oral medications that support weight loss, like metformin, typically have the lowest BMI requirements, while weight loss surgery has the highest.

Health conditions that might qualify you for weight loss treatment at a lower BMI include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)

• Type 2 diabetes 

• Heart disease

• Sleep apnea

• PCOS

• Kidney disease

• History of stroke

• Chest pain (angina)

BMI for Ozempic and Wegovy

While it’s sometimes used off-label for weight loss, Ozempic® (semaglutide) is actually FDA-approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. 

Off-label use is when a licensed medical provider prescribes a drug for a condition it isn’t FDA-approved to treat. In such cases, there are no hard-and-fast rules. If you don’t have diabetes, your provider will rely on their own discretion when deciding if Ozempic is right for you. 

This means there’s no official qualifying BMI for Ozempic. However, many providers follow the guidelines established for Wegovy® (semaglutide). 

Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, is FDA-approved for weight loss. 

To qualify for Wegovy, your BMI will need to be:

• 30 or more (obesity)

• 27 or more (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition 

One thing to keep in mind: Just because you qualify for Ozempic or Wegovy doesn’t mean your insurance plan will cover it. 

Compare Ozempic vs. Semaglutide

BMI for semaglutide

To qualify for compounded semaglutide, you typically need a BMI of 30 or higher or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition. 

Compounded semaglutide is a prescription medication that contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy. You can access compounded semaglutide through the Hers platform if your provider determines it’s right for you. (FYI, the FDA does not approve or evaluate compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality.)

Compounded semaglutide available through the Hers platform uses ingredients sourced from FDA-regulated manufacturers. It is also produced in FDA-registered compounding pharmacies in the United States. 

To get started with Hers, simply fill out an intake form, and a licensed provider will review your medical history and goals. If you’re eligible for weight loss medication, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan and your medication will be delivered directly to your door. Plus, you’ll get unlimited access to your care team along with expert guidance on nutrition, movement, and sleep through the Hers app.

Does Weight Loss by Hers Work? An Expert Breakdown

Women’s age and BMI

One of the primary problems with BMI for women is that the measurement fails to account for age. As you age, your body endures dramatic changes that make weight gain more likely and weight loss more difficult. 

As weight loss becomes harder, reaping the rewards of your efforts can take longer. This can be incredibly frustrating and lead to a slew of abandoned diets (and a basement full of neglected fitness equipment). 

Worse, each failed weight loss attempt takes a toll on your self-esteem, sapping you of motivation and making you all the more hesitant to try again. 

Is BMI accurate?

As a classification system, BMI works well for determining trends across large groups of people, but its use as a marker of individual health is controversial. 

Women typically lose muscle mass as they age — a process that accelerates after menopause. This means BMI results may be less accurate for older women. If you’re over age 65, your BMI may underestimate the amount of body fat you carry. 

Another flaw in the BMI system is that it only considers height and weight and doesn’t factor in body fat percentage. This means a very muscular woman — like a bodybuilder — may have the same BMI as a woman with little muscle, and excess body fat. 

Learn more about BMI vs. Body Fat 

Ethnicity and BMI

BMI also fails to account for the differences in body type we see among people of different races and ethnicities. The BMI classification system was created long ago using research conducted primarily on white populations. As a result, it may be less accurate for non-white individuals. 

The current classification system may overestimate health risks to some populations and underestimate risks to others. If you’re an American woman of Asian descent, for example, you may be at risk of weight-related health conditions before you reach the current threshold for obesity. 

A World Health Organization panel and other obesity experts have recommended adjusting the BMI chart for Asian people. So a BMI of 27.5 or greater would indicate obesity in people of Asian descent (as compared to the current threshold of 30 or greater).   

Learn more about the Accuracy of BMI

Perimenopause weight gain

The years leading up to menopause — aka perimenopause — is a bit like riding a hormonal rollercoaster in the dark. You never know quite what to expect. Perimenopause typically develops slowly, around your mid- to late-forties. On average, perimenopause lasts about four years. 

As estrogen and progesterone levels begin fluctuating during perimenopause, you may begin experiencing the symptoms of menopause. Menopause symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia can disrupt sleep habits, leading to increased stress and fatigue. 

Your metabolism, appetite, and fat distribution may also change during this time, so it’s not uncommon to experience perimenopause weight gain.

These changes can be frustrating. But small lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference. Research shows that eating well and staying active may help improve menopause symptoms. 

How to Lose Weight During Menopause

Menopause weight gain

Menopause officially begins when you go 12 months without a period. This usually occurs between ages 45 and 55. Postmenopausal weight gain is very common, especially around the midsection.

Estrogen levels drop during the menopausal transition, but some women continue to experience menopause symptoms long after their periods cease. This can contribute to menopause weight gain. 

After menopause, your risk of several health problems increases. Weight loss can help lower some of these risks. If you’re struggling to lose weight with diet and exercise alone, you might want to consider medications that can help support your long-term weight management goals.  

Healthy BMI for women 

A healthy BMI for most women is one that falls within the healthy BMI range: 18.5 to 24.9. 

Higher BMI values are associated with an increased risk of serious health conditions. But it’s important to understand that BMI, on its own, can not accurately predict your risk of developing health issues. 

Regular physicals are key to reducing your risk of health problems. Your primary care provider can look at things like:

• Waist circumference

• Blood pressure levels

• Cholesterol levels

• Blood sugar levels

• The results of your physical exam

• Your medical history 

• Your lifestyle habits 

• Your family history 

What’s the average BMI for women?

According to research, the average BMI for women in the United States is 29.3 — which falls just below the threshold for obesity. 

Because this average is based on self-reported BMI data, researchers adjusted it to compensate for inaccuracies in reporting. They found that when self-reporting height and weight, people tend to overreport their height and underreport their weight. 

Think you might have rounded down a little when using the Hers BMI calculator? No problem. Go ahead and run the numbers again to calculate BMI. 

What’s the Ideal Weight for Women?

Overweight vs. obesity: Health risks

Women with both overweight and obesity are at increased risk of certain health conditions. Often, the higher your BMI, the greater your risk.

• Overweight BMI: 25 or greater

• Obesity BMI: 30 or greater

Health conditions linked to excess weight include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• High cholesterol (dyslipidemia)

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications 

• Osteoarthritis

• Sleep apnea and breathing problems

• Certain cancers (including breast, colon, and endometrial cancer)

• Metabolic syndrome

• Gallstones

• Mental health issues like depression and anxiety

• Joint and body pain

• Fatty liver disease

• Kidney disease 

Healthcare providers typically recommend weight loss for women with overweight and obesity. Even modest weight loss can go a long way toward lowering your risk.  

Sustained weight loss of just three to five percent of your body weight can lead to clinically significant improvements, including: 

• Lower triglyceride levels

• Lower blood sugar levels

• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes

• More regular periods 

• Improved fertility  

Greater amounts of sustained weight loss can lead to even more health improvements, including:

• Lower blood pressure 

• Improved cholesterol 

• Preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes

• Reduced risk of heart disease

• Reduced need for medications to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol

• Reduced risk of pregnancy complications

Hormonal weight gain

Hormones can influence body composition at any stage of life, not just during perimenopause and menopause. It’s not uncommon to experience weight fluctuations throughout your menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can also lead to food cravings and overeating.

Hormonal imbalances and PCOS — a common hormonal condition — can also cause hormonal weight gain. 

PCOS and BMI

While overweight and obesity aren’t part of official diagnostic criteria, PCOS and weight struggles often go hand in hand. Many women with PCOS find it hard to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone. 

Why is it so hard to lose weight with PCOS? PCOS causes:

• Insulin resistance. Excess insulin can increase hunger and food cravings.

• Hormone changes. Changes in hormones can affect metabolism and fat storage. 

• Energy levels and mood. Low energy levels associated with PCOS can make it harder to stay active and maintain healthy habits. 

Managing PCOS often involves a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. 

There aren’t any FDA-approved medications specifically for PCOS, but doctors often prescribe medication like birth control pills to help regulate hormones. For PCOS, weight loss medications are also common. 

Research shows taking metformin for PCOS can also:

• Improve insulin sensitivity 

• Promote weight loss 

• Reduce androgen levels

• Regulate your menstrual cycle

• Improve ovulation and fertility 

For those with both PCOS and overweight or obesity, weight loss medications like semaglutide may also be an option. Early research shows that semaglutide can help women with PCOS lose weight and regulate their menstrual cycles.

9 Tips on Losing Weight with PCOS

Lifestyle changes to lower your BMI

Lifestyle changes are key to both weight loss and long-term weight management. Check out these weight loss tips or learn more in The Hers Guide to Weight Loss.

Eat a nutritious, reduced-Calorie diet

Creating a calorie deficit — burning more calories than you consume — can help lower BMI. But the quality of your diet matters almost as much as the quantity. A balanced approach focuses on:

• Fruits and vegetables 

• Complex carbs and whole grains like brown rice, oats, and quinoa 

• Healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds 

• Lean protein like chicken, fish, eggs, turkey, tempeh, and tofu 

When it comes to weight loss, protein may be the MVP. Protein can help you feel full longer, which can help reduce your caloric intake. It can also help you retain lean muscle mass as you lose weight and avoid weight regain. 

Looking for a convenient way to fit more protein into your diet? Hers offers delicious protein bars and shakes that can serve as healthy, high-protein meal replacements or snacks.  

Get more physical activity

To lower your BMI, it’s important to start adding more movement into your day. And it’s okay to start small. Simple things like walking the dog, standing during phone calls, or doing household chores can contribute to overall activity levels.

But to reach and maintain a healthy weight, experts recommend a combo of: 

• Cardio. About 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (things like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (think running or high-intensity interval training).

• Strength training. At least two muscle-strengthening sessions per week can help build and maintain muscle, which supports metabolism and long-term weight management. This can include bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, weightlifting, or gym machines.

Research suggests combining cardio and strength training is more effective for weight loss than doing one type of exercise alone. 

Find the Right Fitness Routine for Your Age

Get enough sleep

Sleep is another crucial part of maintaining a healthy BMI. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. 

To improve your sleep hygiene and meet that goal, consider:

• Waking up and going to bed at the same time every day (including weekends) 

• Avoiding screens one to two hours before bed 

• Exercising regularly

• Using breathable bedding and a pillow that suits your preferred sleeping position 

Drink more water

Staying hydrated can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller. Drinking more water also makes it easier to cut back on sugary sodas and alcoholic drinks — which have little nutritional value but plenty of calories.

In fact, one review of studies found that simply drinking a bottle of water before meals could lead to two to five pounds of weight loss over three months. It’s a small but impactful habit that can support your weight loss efforts without requiring a big lifestyle change.

9 Tips to Build Hydration Habits

Next steps

If your BMI indicates that you’re in the overweight or obesity range, you may want to check in with a medical provider to see if you qualify for medical weight loss treatment.

If you’d like extra support, we can connect you with a healthcare provider to chat about potential solutions.

Get started with our online weight loss assessment today.