Healthy Weight Calculator
Enter your height in feet and inches or in centimeters. The calculator returns the weight range that gives a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, which the World Health Organization classes as normal weight for adults. It uses the same range for men and women and does not adjust for age, frame or muscle.
How to use the Healthy Weight Calculator
- Enter your numbers in the Healthy Weight Calculator above.
- Press the Calculate button to see the result.
- To try other numbers, change any value and press the button again.
The healthy weight range formula
Low end: 18.5 × (height_m)² · · · High end: 24.9 × (height_m)²
A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is classified as healthy. Multiply by your height in meters squared to convert the BMI range into a weight range in kilograms.
Worked example
5'9" is 1.7526 m. The low end is 18.5 × 1.7526² = 56.8 kg, or 125 lb, and the high end is 24.9 × 1.7526² = 76.5 kg, or 169 lb. The calculator shows 125 – 169 lbs, a span of 44 pounds. In metric, 175 cm gives 57 – 76 kg.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the healthy range so wide?
Because 18.5 and 24.9 are far apart, and the gap in pounds grows with your height squared. At 5'8" the calculator shows 122 – 164 lbs, and at 5'9" it shows 125 – 169 lbs. BMI does not separate muscle, bone and fat, so two people at either end of the range both count as normal weight.
Does it give a different range for men and women?
No. The calculator takes height only and applies the same BMI cutoffs to every adult. For a figure that depends on sex, the ideal weight calculator uses separate formulas for men and women.
Is BMI the only measure to track?
No. Waist circumference, body fat percentage and metabolic markers (blood pressure, A1C, lipids) add important detail. Two people at identical BMIs can have very different health profiles.