Ponderal Index Calculator

Weight over height cubed, better for tall or short people. Free, private and instant.

How to use the Ponderal Index

  1. Pick metric (cm, kg) or imperial (ft, in, lb) units.
  2. Enter height.
  3. Enter weight.
  4. Press Calculate to get an instant result with a colour scale, chart and plain-English explanation.

About the Ponderal Index

The Ponderal Index is similar to BMI but divides by height cubed instead of squared. This scales more naturally with body size and can be more reliable for very tall or short adults.

Also known as: Rohrer index calculator, corpulence index calculator, PI calculator, ponderal index newborn.

Worked example

Ponderal Index: 14.2 kg/m³ (Normal). Your Ponderal Index of 14.2 kg/m³ is "normal". Typical healthy adults range from about 11 to 15.

Formula and cut-offs

Ponderal Index = weight (kg) / height (m)^3. Typical adult range is about 11 to 15 kg/m3.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal Ponderal Index?

Most healthy adults fall between about 11 and 15 kg/m3, though the result depends on height.

How is it different from BMI?

BMI uses height squared, which overestimates fatness in tall people and underestimates it in short people. The Ponderal Index uses height cubed.

Why is the Ponderal Index used for newborns?

Because it uses height cubed, the Ponderal Index stays more stable across very short and very tall bodies. In newborns it helps tell babies who are thin for their length from those who are simply small.

What is the ponderal index for 170 cm and 70 kg?

Ponderal Index: 14.2 kg/m³ (Normal). Your Ponderal Index of 14.2 kg/m³ is "normal". Typical healthy adults range from about 11 to 15. Enter your own numbers above for a personal result.

Sources and references

Written and checked by the MediHub editorial team against the sources above. Read how we build and review our calculators.

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Last updated . This calculator is for education only and is not medical advice. See the medical disclaimer.