A BMI of 32 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 32 means
Body mass index (BMI) compares your weight with your height. A BMI of 32 means you weigh 32 kilograms for every square metre of your height. Using the NHS categories, a BMI of 32 is classed as obesity (class 1) for most adults.
Most adults
BMI 32 = 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 32 = obesity (class 1). NICE uses lower cut-offs of 23 and 27.5 because health risks start at a lower BMI.
Your BMI is 7.1 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 32 for every height
Find your height to see the weight that gives a BMI of 32, in kilograms, stones and pounds. The last column shows the top of the healthy range (BMI 24.9).
| Height | Weight at BMI 32 | Stones & pounds | Pounds | Healthy limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ (147 cm) | 69.5 kg | 10 st 13 lb | 153 lb | 54.0 kg |
| 4′11″ (150 cm) | 71.9 kg | 11 st 4 lb | 158 lb | 55.9 kg |
| 5′0″ (152 cm) | 74.3 kg | 11 st 10 lb | 164 lb | 57.8 kg |
| 5′1″ (155 cm) | 76.8 kg | 12 st 1 lb | 169 lb | 59.8 kg |
| 5′2″ (157 cm) | 79.4 kg | 12 st 7 lb | 175 lb | 61.8 kg |
| 5′3″ (160 cm) | 81.9 kg | 12 st 13 lb | 181 lb | 63.8 kg |
| 5′4″ (163 cm) | 84.6 kg | 13 st 4 lb | 186 lb | 65.8 kg |
| 5′5″ (165 cm) | 87.2 kg | 13 st 10 lb | 192 lb | 67.9 kg |
| 5′6″ (168 cm) | 89.9 kg | 14 st 2 lb | 198 lb | 70.0 kg |
| 5′7″ (170 cm) | 92.7 kg | 14 st 8 lb | 204 lb | 72.1 kg |
| 5′8″ (173 cm) | 95.5 kg | 15 st 0 lb | 210 lb | 74.3 kg |
| 5′9″ (175 cm) | 98.3 kg | 15 st 7 lb | 217 lb | 76.5 kg |
| 5′10″ (178 cm) | 101.2 kg | 15 st 13 lb | 223 lb | 78.7 kg |
| 5′11″ (180 cm) | 104.1 kg | 16 st 5 lb | 229 lb | 81.0 kg |
| 6′0″ (183 cm) | 107.0 kg | 16 st 12 lb | 236 lb | 83.3 kg |
| 6′1″ (185 cm) | 110.0 kg | 17 st 5 lb | 243 lb | 85.6 kg |
| 6′2″ (188 cm) | 113.1 kg | 17 st 11 lb | 249 lb | 88.0 kg |
| 6′3″ (190 cm) | 116.1 kg | 18 st 4 lb | 256 lb | 90.4 kg |
| 6′4″ (193 cm) | 119.2 kg | 18 st 11 lb | 263 lb | 92.8 kg |
| 6′5″ (196 cm) | 122.4 kg | 19 st 4 lb | 270 lb | 95.2 kg |
| 6′6″ (198 cm) | 125.6 kg | 19 st 11 lb | 277 lb | 97.7 kg |
A BMI of 32 for women and men
The NHS uses the same BMI categories for women and men, so a BMI of 32 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 32 for a woman
A 5′4″ (163 cm) woman with a BMI of 32 weighs about 84.6 kg (13 st 4 lb). To reach a BMI of 24.9 she would need to lose about 18.8 kg (2 st 13 lb). After the menopause, fat tends to move towards the waist, so a waist check is especially useful.
BMI 32 for a man
A 5′10″ (178 cm) man with a BMI of 32 weighs about 101.2 kg (15 st 13 lb). To reach a BMI of 24.9 he would need to lose about 22.4 kg (3 st 7 lb). Very muscular men can have a high BMI without excess fat, which is why waist size matters too.
Is BMI 32 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 32
A BMI of 32 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 4.2 kg for a 5′4″ woman or 5.1 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 32 good?
A BMI of 32 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 32 is above it.
Is a BMI of 32 obese?
For most adults, a BMI of 32 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 32?
It depends on your height. A 5′4″ (163 cm) person would weigh about 84.6 kg (13 st 4 lb), and a 5′10″ (178 cm) person about 101.2 kg (15 st 13 lb). See the table above for every height.
Is a BMI of 32 the same for men and women?
Yes. The NHS uses the same adult BMI categories for men and women, so a BMI of 32 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 32?
To get to a BMI of 24.9, a 5′4″ woman would need to lose about 18.8 kg (2 st 13 lb) and a 5′10″ man about 22.4 kg (3 st 7 lb). Losing 0.5 to 1 kg a week, that would take roughly 19–38 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.