BMI calculator with program matching
Enter your height, weight, and state. We compute your BMI, label the CDC category, tell you whether you meet the GLP-1 prescribing threshold, and rank the programs that can legally see you. Top 3 by editorial score.
How this calculator works
Three stages.
- BMI math. The calculator converts your feet/inches/pounds to metric and runs the standard formula (kilograms divided by meters squared). The result is rounded to one decimal place. CDC adult thresholds label the category.
- Eligibility check. BMI 30 and above qualifies on weight alone. BMI 27 to 29.9 qualifies with at least one comorbidity. BMI below 27 does not meet the prescribing threshold under FDA labeling for either Wegovy or Zepbound.
- Program ranking. Every program in our chart is filtered by state availability (telehealth licensing varies by state). The ones that serve your state are ranked by our editorial score across pricing, cancellation, onboarding, medication options, and member outcomes. The top 3 are highlighted; the rest are listed in an accordion.
CDC adult BMI categories
The CDC publishes the same six categories every program uses to gate intake.
- Underweight. BMI under 18.5. GLP-1 not appropriate. Most programs will refuse to prescribe.
- Healthy weight. BMI 18.5 to 24.9. Below the prescribing threshold under FDA labeling.
- Overweight. BMI 25 to 29.9. Qualifies for GLP-1 only with a qualifying comorbidity.
- Obesity class 1. BMI 30 to 34.9. Qualifies on weight alone.
- Obesity class 2. BMI 35 to 39.9. Qualifies on weight alone. Bariatric surgery becomes a clinical consideration alongside GLP-1.
- Obesity class 3 (severe). BMI 40 and above. Qualifies on weight alone. Multimodal treatment including GLP-1 plus surgical evaluation is the standard of care.
These categories are clinical conventions, not value judgments. They exist because prescribing thresholds and outcomes data are stratified the same way.
Qualifying comorbidities (for BMI 27-29.9)
If your BMI is between 27 and 29.9, you qualify only if you have at least one of the following. Most programs will ask about these during the intake form.
- Type 2 diabetes (or prediabetes with A1c 5.7 to 6.4).
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or high triglycerides).
- Sleep apnea, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Established cardiovascular disease (prior myocardial infarction, stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease). This qualifier specifically opens the Wegovy cardiovascular indication.
PCOS is a borderline qualifier. Some clinicians count it; FDA labeling does not. If PCOS is your only qualifier, expect program-by-program variability.
State availability
Telehealth licensing is state-level. A program licensed in California is not automatically licensed in Texas. Every program in our chart publishes its state list (or refuses to, which we flag in the chart). The calculator's state filter cross-references your state against each program's exclusion list and hides programs that cannot legally prescribe to your address.
A few programs serve a single state (Lindora is California-only). Most major programs serve 45 or more. A handful of states (Louisiana and Mississippi most frequently) are excluded by multiple programs because of state-board licensure quirks rather than any patient-specific reason.
Frequently asked questions
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m squared). The calculator converts your feet, inches, and pounds to metric and runs the formula. CDC adult categories: under 18.5 underweight; 18.5 to 24.9 healthy; 25 to 29.9 overweight; 30 to 34.9 obesity class 1; 35 to 39.9 obesity class 2; 40 and above obesity class 3.
What BMI do I need to qualify for GLP-1?
US prescribing convention follows the FDA labeling for Wegovy and Zepbound: BMI 30 or above on weight alone, or BMI 27 to 29.9 with at least one qualifying comorbidity (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, or established cardiovascular disease). Most insurance plans use the same criteria.
Is BMI a perfect measure of obesity?
No. BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat, does not account for body composition variation across populations, and can misclassify athletes and older adults. Clinicians supplement BMI with waist circumference, body fat percentage, and metabolic markers. The calculator uses BMI because BMI is what every program's intake form uses to gate prescribing.
Why does state matter?
Telehealth providers must be licensed in the state where the patient lives. Some programs are licensed nationwide; others are restricted to a handful of states. Lindora is California-only. Several programs do not serve Louisiana or Mississippi. The state filter hides programs that cannot legally prescribe to your address.
What if my BMI is borderline (27-29)?
You qualify only if you have at least one qualifying comorbidity. Most programs will ask about these conditions during intake. Type 2 diabetes is the most common qualifier, followed by hypertension and dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides). Established cardiovascular disease (prior heart attack, stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease) qualifies for Wegovy specifically.
What if my BMI is below 27?
Most programs will not prescribe a GLP-1 for weight management in the US at a BMI below 27. Some clinicians prescribe off-label at lower BMI for specific indications (PCOS, prediabetes); the calculator does not capture that, and most major programs in our chart will decline. The clinical eligibility self-check at /am-i-a-candidate covers the borderline cases in more detail.
Other calculators
- Cost comparison across all programs: every program ranked cheapest first for a given drug and insurance situation.
- Savings vs insurance copay: compare your current pharmacy copay against a switch to cash-pay.
- The full eligibility self-check: five questions, more detail on borderline cases.
