Frequently asked questions
Can these replace a doctor?
No. They use published formulas and give you a sensible starting point, but a doctor can take your history, medication and test results into account.
Is BMI right for everyone?
It's a quick screening number, not a diagnosis. It can make muscular people look overweight and miss extra fat in older adults, and Asian populations often use lower cut-offs. Your waist size adds useful context.
How many calories should I eat to lose weight?
Find your daily needs with the calorie calculator and eat about 500 less, which usually means around half a kilo a week. Don't go below roughly 1,200 a day for women or 1,500 for men without medical advice.
How much water should I drink in the Gulf heat?
More than you would somewhere mild. Sip through the day, drink extra when you're outdoors or training, and check your urine: pale yellow means you're doing fine.
Do they work for children?
Most are for adults. Children's BMI and growth have to be read against age and sex charts, so ask your paediatrician.
Is anything I enter sent or stored?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to us or saved.