A BMI of 30 is classed as obesity (class 1) for most adults (NHS). For people of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background it is classed as obesity (class 1) (NICE). The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.
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What a BMI of 30 means
Body mass index (BMI) compares your weight with your height. A BMI of 30 means you weigh 30 kilograms for every square metre of your height. Using the NHS categories, a BMI of 30 is classed as obesity (class 1) for most adults.
Most adults
BMI 30 = obesity (class 1). NHS ranges: under 18.5 underweight, 18.5–24.9 healthy, 25–29.9 overweight, 30+ obesity.
South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean
BMI 30 = obesity (class 1). NICE uses lower cut-offs of 23 and 27.5 because health risks start at a lower BMI.
Your BMI is 5.1 points above the top of the healthy range (24.9). For comparison, the average BMI of adults in England is 27.6 (Health Survey for England 2022), and 64% of adults have a BMI of 25 or more.
Weight at a BMI of 30 for every height
Find your height to see the weight that gives a BMI of 30, in kilograms, stones and pounds. The last column shows the top of the healthy range (BMI 24.9).
| Height | Weight at BMI 30 | Stones & pounds | Pounds | Healthy limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ (147 cm) | 65.1 kg | 10 st 4 lb | 144 lb | 54.0 kg |
| 4′11″ (150 cm) | 67.4 kg | 10 st 9 lb | 149 lb | 55.9 kg |
| 5′0″ (152 cm) | 69.7 kg | 11 st 0 lb | 154 lb | 57.8 kg |
| 5′1″ (155 cm) | 72.0 kg | 11 st 5 lb | 159 lb | 59.8 kg |
| 5′2″ (157 cm) | 74.4 kg | 11 st 10 lb | 164 lb | 61.8 kg |
| 5′3″ (160 cm) | 76.8 kg | 12 st 1 lb | 169 lb | 63.8 kg |
| 5′4″ (163 cm) | 79.3 kg | 12 st 7 lb | 175 lb | 65.8 kg |
| 5′5″ (165 cm) | 81.8 kg | 12 st 12 lb | 180 lb | 67.9 kg |
| 5′6″ (168 cm) | 84.3 kg | 13 st 4 lb | 186 lb | 70.0 kg |
| 5′7″ (170 cm) | 86.9 kg | 13 st 10 lb | 192 lb | 72.1 kg |
| 5′8″ (173 cm) | 89.5 kg | 14 st 1 lb | 197 lb | 74.3 kg |
| 5′9″ (175 cm) | 92.1 kg | 14 st 7 lb | 203 lb | 76.5 kg |
| 5′10″ (178 cm) | 94.8 kg | 14 st 13 lb | 209 lb | 78.7 kg |
| 5′11″ (180 cm) | 97.6 kg | 15 st 5 lb | 215 lb | 81.0 kg |
| 6′0″ (183 cm) | 100.3 kg | 15 st 11 lb | 221 lb | 83.3 kg |
| 6′1″ (185 cm) | 103.1 kg | 16 st 3 lb | 227 lb | 85.6 kg |
| 6′2″ (188 cm) | 106.0 kg | 16 st 10 lb | 234 lb | 88.0 kg |
| 6′3″ (190 cm) | 108.9 kg | 17 st 2 lb | 240 lb | 90.4 kg |
| 6′4″ (193 cm) | 111.8 kg | 17 st 8 lb | 246 lb | 92.8 kg |
| 6′5″ (196 cm) | 114.8 kg | 18 st 1 lb | 253 lb | 95.2 kg |
| 6′6″ (198 cm) | 117.8 kg | 18 st 8 lb | 260 lb | 97.7 kg |
A BMI of 30 for women and men
The NHS uses the same BMI categories for women and men, so a BMI of 30 is obesity (class 1) whether you are male or female. What differs is body composition: at the same BMI, women usually carry more body fat than men, and men tend to carry more fat around the waist.
BMI 30 for a woman
A 5′4″ (163 cm) woman with a BMI of 30 weighs about 79.3 kg (12 st 7 lb). To reach a BMI of 24.9 she would need to lose about 13.5 kg (2 st 2 lb). After the menopause, fat tends to move towards the waist, so a waist check is especially useful.
BMI 30 for a man
A 5′10″ (178 cm) man with a BMI of 30 weighs about 94.8 kg (14 st 13 lb). To reach a BMI of 24.9 he would need to lose about 16.1 kg (2 st 8 lb). Very muscular men can have a high BMI without excess fat, which is why waist size matters too.
Is BMI 30 different by age? No – adult BMI categories are the same from 18 onwards. Over 65, a BMI between about 23 and 28 is not usually a concern, and losing weight without trying should always be checked by a GP. Children need a BMI centile instead.
Health risks at a BMI of 30
A BMI of 30 is in the obesity range. The NHS explains that obesity raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer (including breast and bowel cancer), fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis and sleep apnoea. Risks rise further at higher BMI levels and when weight is carried around the waist.
BMI cannot tell fat from muscle, so it is best used with a second measure. NICE recommends a waist-to-height ratio: keep your waist to less than half your height.
What to do next
- Set a first goal of 5% weight loss. That is about 4.0 kg for a 5′4″ woman or 4.7 kg for a 5′10″ man at this BMI.
- Aim for 0.5–1 kg (1–2 lb) a week with a daily deficit of about 600 kcal – use the calorie deficit calculator.
- Move more: build up to 150 minutes of moderate activity a week plus 2 days of strength exercise.
- Use free NHS support: the NHS Weight Loss Plan app, or ask your GP or pharmacist about local weight management services and whether you could be referred to a specialist service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a BMI of 30 good?
A BMI of 30 is classed as obesity (class 1) for most adults by the NHS. The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9, so a BMI of 30 is above it.
Is a BMI of 30 obese?
For most adults, a BMI of 30 is obesity (class 1). For South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African and African-Caribbean adults, NICE classes it as obesity (class 1).
How much should I weigh to have a BMI of 30?
It depends on your height. A 5′4″ (163 cm) person would weigh about 79.3 kg (12 st 7 lb), and a 5′10″ (178 cm) person about 94.8 kg (14 st 13 lb). See the table above for every height.
Is a BMI of 30 the same for men and women?
Yes. The NHS uses the same adult BMI categories for men and women, so a BMI of 30 is obesity (class 1) for both. Women usually carry more body fat than men at the same BMI.
How much weight do I need to lose from a BMI of 30?
To get to a BMI of 24.9, a 5′4″ woman would need to lose about 13.5 kg (2 st 2 lb) and a 5′10″ man about 16.1 kg (2 st 8 lb). Losing 0.5 to 1 kg a week, that would take roughly 13–27 weeks for the woman. Even a 5% loss brings health benefits.
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Medical disclaimer: this guide is general information for adults and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. bmicalculatornhs.net is independent and not affiliated with the NHS. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional about your own health. Full disclaimer.