Healthy Weight Calculator
Find the healthy weight range for your height, using general or Asian BMI standards.
How to use the Healthy Weight Calculator
- Choose metric or US units.
- Pick the BMI standard: general (WHO) or Asian guidelines.
- Enter your height. Add your current weight and waist if you want a personal check.
- Press the Calculate button.
- Read your healthy weight range and compare it with your current weight and waist-to-height ratio.
Healthy Weight Calculator: Find Your Healthy Weight Range for Your Height
Quick answer: for adults aged 18 and over, a healthy weight is the weight that gives a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. For someone who is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall, that is about 50.4 to 67.8 kg (111 to 149 lb).
What Is a Healthy Weight?
A healthy weight is a range, not a single number. A healthy weight calculator uses your height and the standard BMI categories to work out which weights are considered healthy for you. An adult with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is normally described as having a healthy or normal weight. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.
The calculator is most accurate for adults aged 18 or older. Children and teenagers need BMI-for-age growth charts, which a paediatrician can use.
Remember that these ranges are based on averages and ignore your body composition. A very muscular person can be classed as overweight and still be healthy, and someone with little muscle can have a “normal” BMI and still carry too much fat. A doctor can look at the full picture.
How to Calculate a Healthy Weight Range
Take the two ends of the healthy BMI range and multiply each by your height in metres squared.
Example 1: a woman who is 1.62 m tall. Her height squared is 2.6244. Her healthy range is 18.5 × 2.6244 = 48.6 kg to 24.9 × 2.6244 = 65.3 kg. If she weighs 72 kg, her BMI is 72 ÷ 2.6244 = 27.4, which is in the overweight range, about 6.7 kg above the top of her healthy range.
Example 2: a man who is 1.78 m tall has a healthy range of about 58.6 to 78.9 kg.
You can check your own BMI with our BMI calculator. Some guidelines use a lower upper limit of 22.9 for people of Asian descent, so ask your doctor which range applies to you.
Healthy Weight Chart by Height
| Height | Healthy weight (kg) | Healthy weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) | 41.6 to 56.0 | 92 to 124 |
| 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) | 44.4 to 59.8 | 98 to 132 |
| 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) | 47.4 to 63.7 | 104 to 141 |
| 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | 50.4 to 67.8 | 111 to 149 |
| 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | 53.5 to 72.0 | 118 to 159 |
| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | 56.7 to 76.3 | 125 to 168 |
| 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | 59.9 to 80.7 | 132 to 178 |
| 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | 63.3 to 85.2 | 140 to 188 |
| 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | 66.8 to 89.9 | 147 to 198 |
Weight Categories and What They Mean
| Category | BMI |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 to 29.9 |
| Obese | 30.0 and above |
Effects of Being Underweight
People can be underweight because of genes, not getting enough food, a fast metabolism, certain medicines or an illness. Sometimes a low weight is the sign of an underlying condition such as an overactive thyroid, an infection or cancer, which is why a sudden unexplained weight loss should be checked by a doctor.
Being underweight can lead to:
- low energy and stamina,
- weak bones (osteoporosis),
- a weaker immune system and more infections,
- malnutrition and anaemia,
- and, in children, problems with growth and development.
Some studies link being underweight to a higher risk of death, though part of that may come from illness causing the weight loss rather than the low weight itself.
Underweight, periods and pregnancy
In women, being underweight, especially because of an eating disorder, can stop periods, reduce fertility and raise the chance of complications in pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive and are underweight, a doctor can help you reach a weight that supports regular ovulation and a healthy pregnancy.
Effects of Being Overweight
Being overweight usually happens when you regularly eat more calories than your body uses. Genes, stress, poor sleep, alcohol, limited activity and eating patterns all play a part.
The health effects of being overweight are discussed more than those of obesity. Some studies have found that people in the overweight range do not have a higher risk of death than people at a healthy weight. However, being overweight is still linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, and death rates are not the only measure of health.
Effects of Being Obese
Obesity most often develops from a mix of eating more energy than you use, low activity and a genetic tendency. Less often it is caused mainly by hormone problems, certain medicines or mental health conditions. Many factors are still not fully understood, and managing obesity is rarely as simple as “eat less and move more”.
Obesity raises the risk of:
- heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure,
- type 2 diabetes,
- osteoarthritis and other joint problems,
- some cancers,
- sleep apnoea,
- and depression.
It is considered one of the leading preventable causes of ill health worldwide.
Weight, fertility and pregnancy
Being above a healthy weight can make periods irregular and ovulation harder to predict, and it raises the chance of problems such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy. Losing even a modest amount before conceiving can help. Talk to your doctor before you start, and don’t try to lose weight once you are pregnant unless you are advised to.
If you are pregnant, follow your doctor’s guidance on healthy weight gain and use our pregnancy calculator to track your weeks. The healthy weight calculator on this page isn’t meant to be used during pregnancy.
How to Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being underweight, overweight or obese lead to different health problems, but the ways to manage them share a lot: food, activity and, sometimes, mental health.
If you need to gain weight
- Eat more often and choose nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, nuts and seeds.
- Add strength training to build muscle, not just fat.
- See a doctor to rule out medical causes, particularly if the weight loss was unplanned.
- If the cause is an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, treatment needs to deal with the psychological side as well as the physical one. Please reach out to a doctor or mental health professional.
If you need to lose weight
- Limit calorie-dense foods, sugary drinks and too much fat, and eat more vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains and nuts, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) advice.
- Be active. The WHO suggests at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week for adults and 60 minutes a day for children.
- Aim for gradual, steady change. A loss of 5% to 10% of your weight can already improve blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
- Sleep seven to nine hours and look after your stress levels.
Personal effort works best when the surroundings help too. Access to affordable healthy food, health education and safe places to be active all make a healthy weight easier to reach.
Limitations of the Healthy Weight Calculator
- It uses height only and doesn’t consider muscle, bone, body fat or fat distribution.
- It isn’t designed for children, pregnant women, or people with certain medical conditions.
- The “healthy” range can differ by ethnicity and age.
- It gives a general guide. Waist size, blood pressure and blood tests give a fuller picture of your health.
Healthy Weight Calculator FAQs
How do I find my healthy weight range?
Multiply your height in metres squared by 18.5 for the lower limit and by 24.9 for the upper limit.
What is a healthy weight for my height?
It depends on your height. For example, a person who is 170 cm tall has a healthy range of about 53.5 to 72.0 kg.
Is a BMI of 25 healthy?
A BMI of 25 is the start of the overweight range. The healthy range ends at 24.9.
Can I be healthy outside the healthy weight range?
Yes, it is possible, for example if you are very muscular. A doctor can assess this.
Does the healthy weight range differ for men and women?
No, the BMI ranges are the same for adult men and women, although women naturally carry more body fat.
What is the difference between ideal weight and healthy weight?
Ideal weight formulas give a single number from height and sex. A healthy weight is a range based on BMI.
Can I use this calculator for my child?
No. Children need BMI-for-age percentile charts from a paediatrician.
Can I use this calculator during pregnancy?
No. Weight rises in pregnancy to support your baby, so follow your doctor’s advice instead.
Does being underweight affect fertility?
It can. A very low weight can stop periods and reduce fertility, so see a doctor if you are underweight and hoping to conceive.
Final Thoughts
A healthy weight calculator gives you a useful range to aim for, but it can’t tell the whole story. Look at your waist, your energy, your habits and your medical history as well. If you are worried about being above or below your range, or you are planning a pregnancy, speak to a doctor.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Healthy weight ranges are based on BMI and may not suit every person.
Please speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before changing your diet or exercise routine, especially if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, under 18, have a medical condition or have had an eating disorder.