Calculate a child's basic BMI value.
According to CDC standards, BMI for children must be interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentile charts. Please compare the calculated BMI with the official CDC growth charts, or consult a pediatrician.
A BMI percentile shows how a child's Body Mass Index compares with other children of the same age and sex. Instead of a single fixed number, the percentile places the child on a growth curve, so a BMI that is normal at one age may be high or low at another. Because body composition changes rapidly during childhood and adolescence, pediatricians rely on age- and sex-specific CDC growth charts rather than adult cutoffs. A raw BMI value alone can be misleading, which is why percentile interpretation matters and why a healthcare professional should be consulted for an accurate assessment.
This calculator runs 100% client-side in your browser. Your child's height, weight, age, and sex are never uploaded or stored on a server, keeping sensitive health data private and on your own device.