Body Composition
BMI in imperial units
The 703 folds in both the pound-to-kilogram and inch-to-metre conversions, so the result matches the metric form.
The Formula
BMI = 703 x lb / in^2
The 703 folds in both the pound-to-kilogram and inch-to-metre conversions, so the result matches the metric form.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| lb | Body mass in pounds | pounds | For 70 kg this is 154.323583526 lb. |
| in | Height in inches | inches | For 175 cm this is 68.8976378 in. |
| 703 | Combined conversion constant | dimensionless | It replaces the separate unit conversions of the metric form; omitting it gives a meaningless number. |
What Each Symbol Means
lbpounds
Body mass in pounds
For 70 kg this is 154.323583526 lb.
ininches
Height in inches
For 175 cm this is 68.8976378 in.
703dimensionless
Combined conversion constant
It replaces the separate unit conversions of the metric form; omitting it gives a meaningless number.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate bmi page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate BMI, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.