Use the CDC growth charts to find your child's BMI percentile, a key indicator of healthy development for ages 2 to 20.
BMI (Body Mass Index) for kids and teens is a measure of weight relative to height, adjusted for age and gender. Unlike with adults, BMI in children must be compared against percentile growth charts from the CDC or WHO to determine a child’s weight status: underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese.
| Percentile Range | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Less than 5th percentile | Underweight |
| 5th to 84th percentile | Healthy weight |
| 85th to 94th percentile | Overweight |
| 95th percentile or above | Obese |
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. It can be misleading in athletic or muscular children. **Always consult a pediatrician** to interpret the results and assess a child's overall health.
Maintained by Live Fitness Check. Last updated: August 9, 2026. How we test our calculators .
Estimates BMI and an age- and sex-sensitive percentile for children and teens.
BMI is calculated from height and weight and interpreted against the child growth reference used by the calculator. The calculation uses date of birth, sex, height and weight.
Children’s BMI must be interpreted differently from adult BMI and is a screening measure rather than a diagnosis. Use the number as an estimate and consider professional advice when the result may affect health, treatment, pregnancy, nutrition, exercise safety or another important decision.
