How to Compute Body Mass in Pounds & Inches

Determining your body mass index can help you assess your risk for heart disease and other problems related to obesity. A BMI value may indicate an individual's level of body fat. Medical professionals do not determine BMI by direct body fat measurement. Instead, they use a formula based on a subject's height in inches and weight in pounds. Use that formula to compute anyone's body mass quickly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Weigh the individual for whom you wish to calculate BMI. Use a scale that displays pounds.

    • 2

      Measure the individual's height in inches.

    • 3

      Multiply the height times itself. For instance, if the height is 70 inches, multiply 70 times 70 to get 4,900. This is the height squared.

    • 4

      Plug the weight in pounds and the height squared into the following equation:

      BMI = (weight in pounds) / (height squared) * 703. For example, if the subject is 70 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, the equation appears as follows:

      160 / 4,900 * 703 = 22.95. The BMI in this instance is 22.95.