BACKGROUND Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is presently considered the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). The International Osteoporosis Foundation and World Health Organization have recommended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III database values for women aged 20-29 years to be followed as reference BMD values worldwide. However, the BMD may differ for different populations. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to plot BMD values in the hip (neck) and lumbar spine (L1-L4 AP view) in Indian women aged 20-80 years. Also, BMD values in the 20-60-year-old females were compared with reference American/European population. RESULTS It was found that the BMD of Indian females was 1.5-2 standard deviation (SD) s lower than that of the reference Western population in all the comparative age groups. CONCLUSIONS It is reasonable to conclude that BMD values of the hip and spine among comparative Indian and Western female age groups show significant differences. Hence, different normals should be followed for each population.