What is a healthy weight for your height? The answer depends on your sex, age, and body composition — but the BMI-based healthy weight range (18.5–24.9) provides a practical starting point for most adults. This guide provides comprehensive weight-for-height charts for men and women, explains how to interpret them, and covers what to do if you fall outside the healthy range.
Healthy Weight Chart for Women by Height
The table below shows the healthy weight range for women at common heights, based on the WHO BMI healthy range of 18.5–24.9. All values are for adults aged 18 and over.
| Height | Underweight (BMI <18.5) | Healthy Weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) | Overweight (BMI 25–29.9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10” (147 cm) | Below 40.1 kg (88 lb) | 40.1 – 54.0 kg (88 – 119 lb) | 54.0 – 64.8 kg (119 – 143 lb) |
| 5’0″ (152 cm) | Below 42.7 kg (94 lb) | 42.7 – 57.5 kg (94 – 127 lb) | 57.5 – 69.0 kg (127 – 152 lb) |
| 5’2″ (157 cm) | Below 45.6 kg (101 lb) | 45.6 – 61.4 kg (101 – 135 lb) | 61.4 – 73.7 kg (135 – 163 lb) |
| 5’4″ (163 cm) | Below 49.1 kg (108 lb) | 49.1 – 66.2 kg (108 – 146 lb) | 66.2 – 79.5 kg (146 – 175 lb) |
| 5’5″ (165 cm) | Below 50.4 kg (111 lb) | 50.4 – 67.9 kg (111 – 150 lb) | 67.9 – 81.5 kg (150 – 180 lb) |
| 5’6″ (168 cm) | Below 52.2 kg (115 lb) | 52.2 – 70.3 kg (115 – 155 lb) | 70.3 – 84.4 kg (155 – 186 lb) |
| 5’7″ (170 cm) | Below 53.5 kg (118 lb) | 53.5 – 72.1 kg (118 – 159 lb) | 72.1 – 86.5 kg (159 – 191 lb) |
| 5’8″ (173 cm) | Below 55.3 kg (122 lb) | 55.3 – 74.5 kg (122 – 164 lb) | 74.5 – 89.4 kg (164 – 197 lb) |
| 5’9″ (175 cm) | Below 56.7 kg (125 lb) | 56.7 – 76.4 kg (125 – 168 lb) | 76.4 – 91.6 kg (168 – 202 lb) |
| 5’10” (178 cm) | Below 58.6 kg (129 lb) | 58.6 – 78.9 kg (129 – 174 lb) | 78.9 – 94.7 kg (174 – 209 lb) |
| 6’0″ (183 cm) | Below 62.0 kg (137 lb) | 62.0 – 83.5 kg (137 – 184 lb) | 83.5 – 100.1 kg (184 – 221 lb) |
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Calculate My BMI →Healthy Weight Chart for Men by Height
The same BMI categories apply to men. Men typically have higher muscle mass than women at equivalent weights, meaning the upper end of the healthy range is more likely to represent lean mass in men.
| Height | Underweight (BMI <18.5) | Healthy Weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) | Overweight (BMI 25–29.9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5’4″ (163 cm) | Below 49.1 kg (108 lb) | 49.1 – 66.2 kg (108 – 146 lb) | 66.2 – 79.5 kg (146 – 175 lb) |
| 5’6″ (168 cm) | Below 52.2 kg (115 lb) | 52.2 – 70.3 kg (115 – 155 lb) | 70.3 – 84.4 kg (155 – 186 lb) |
| 5’7″ (170 cm) | Below 53.5 kg (118 lb) | 53.5 – 72.1 kg (118 – 159 lb) | 72.1 – 86.5 kg (159 – 191 lb) |
| 5’8″ (173 cm) | Below 55.3 kg (122 lb) | 55.3 – 74.5 kg (122 – 164 lb) | 74.5 – 89.4 kg (164 – 197 lb) |
| 5’9″ (175 cm) | Below 56.7 kg (125 lb) | 56.7 – 76.4 kg (125 – 168 lb) | 76.4 – 91.6 kg (168 – 202 lb) |
| 5’10” (178 cm) | Below 58.6 kg (129 lb) | 58.6 – 78.9 kg (129 – 174 lb) | 78.9 – 94.7 kg (174 – 209 lb) |
| 5’11” (180 cm) | Below 59.9 kg (132 lb) | 59.9 – 80.7 kg (132 – 178 lb) | 80.7 – 96.8 kg (178 – 214 lb) |
| 6’0″ (183 cm) | Below 62.0 kg (137 lb) | 62.0 – 83.5 kg (137 – 184 lb) | 83.5 – 100.1 kg (184 – 221 lb) |
| 6’1″ (185 cm) | Below 63.4 kg (140 lb) | 63.4 – 85.3 kg (140 – 188 lb) | 85.3 – 102.3 kg (188 – 226 lb) |
| 6’2″ (188 cm) | Below 65.3 kg (144 lb) | 65.3 – 87.9 kg (144 – 194 lb) | 87.9 – 105.5 kg (194 – 233 lb) |
| 6’4″ (193 cm) | Below 68.9 kg (152 lb) | 68.9 – 92.8 kg (152 – 205 lb) | 92.8 – 111.3 kg (205 – 246 lb) |
How to Use These Charts
Find your height in the table. Your healthy weight range is the middle column. If your current weight falls:
- Within the healthy range — your BMI is in the WHO healthy category. Focus on maintaining through balanced nutrition and regular activity.
- In the underweight column — a BMI below 18.5 is associated with increased health risks including malnutrition, bone density loss, and immune suppression. Consult a GP or registered dietitian.
- In the overweight column — a BMI of 25–29.9 indicates a modest increased health risk. A modest calorie deficit and increased activity is typically the recommended approach.
- Above the overweight column (BMI 30+) — obesity classification, associated with significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. Medical guidance is recommended.
Healthy Weight for Specific Heights — Quick Reference
These are among the most commonly searched height-specific questions:
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’4″?
For both men and women at 5’4″ (163 cm), the healthy BMI weight range is 49.1 – 66.2 kg (108 – 146 lb). The midpoint of this range — approximately 57 kg (126 lb) — corresponds to a BMI of 21.4, near the centre of the healthy zone.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’5″?
At 5’5″ (165 cm), the healthy weight range is 50.4 – 67.9 kg (111 – 150 lb). A weight of 59 kg (130 lb) at this height gives a BMI of 21.7 — comfortably within the healthy range.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’6″?
At 5’6″ (168 cm), the healthy weight range is 52.2 – 70.3 kg (115 – 155 lb). This range is the same for men and women by BMI calculation, though women typically carry more body fat within this range.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’7″?
At 5’7″ (170 cm), the healthy weight range is 53.5 – 72.1 kg (118 – 159 lb). For active individuals, the upper end of this range is entirely consistent with healthy body composition.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’8″?
At 5’8″ (173 cm), the healthy weight range is 55.3 – 74.5 kg (122 – 164 lb). Men at this height who do regular strength training may healthily weigh toward or slightly above the upper end of this range due to muscle mass.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’9″?
At 5’9″ (175 cm), the healthy weight range is 56.7 – 76.4 kg (125 – 168 lb).
What Is a Healthy Weight for 5’10”?
At 5’10” (178 cm), the healthy weight range is 58.6 – 78.9 kg (129 – 174 lb). This is one of the most commonly searched heights for weight guidance.
What Is a Healthy Weight for 6’0″?
At 6’0″ (183 cm), the healthy weight range is 62.0 – 83.5 kg (137 – 184 lb). A common misconception is that taller people can carry significantly more weight proportionally — BMI scales height by its square, so the healthy range does widen with height but not as dramatically as many expect.
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Calculate My Healthy Weight Range →Beyond the Chart — What Else Determines Healthy Weight
Body Composition
Two people can weigh exactly the same and have the same BMI, but have dramatically different health profiles. A person with 15% body fat and significant muscle mass will generally have much better metabolic health than a person of the same weight with 35% body fat. Weight charts cannot capture this distinction.
Waist Circumference
Where you carry weight matters as much as how much you carry. Abdominal (visceral) fat poses significantly greater cardiometabolic risk than fat stored in the hips and thighs. Target waist circumference below 94 cm (37 in) for men and 80 cm (31.5 in) for women as a low-risk threshold, regardless of BMI.
Fitness Level
Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health outcomes — stronger than BMI or weight alone. Studies consistently show that fit people at higher BMIs have better health outcomes than unfit people at lower BMIs. Being able to sustain 20–30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity is a meaningful health marker independent of weight.
Age Considerations
For adults over 65, the evidence suggests that the optimal BMI range shifts upward to approximately 22–27. Slightly higher body weight in older adults is associated with better outcomes for bone density, immune resilience, and protection against frailty. The charts above use standard WHO ranges appropriate for adults aged 18–65.
What to Do If You Are Outside the Healthy Range
If You Are Overweight (BMI 25–29.9)
A modest, sustainable approach is most effective:
- Create a calorie deficit of 300–500 kcal per day — producing 0.3–0.5 kg of fat loss per week
- Prioritise protein at 1.6–2.0 g per kg of body weight to preserve muscle
- Add 150–300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week (brisk walking counts)
- Focus on whole foods — vegetables, lean protein, legumes, whole grains — which are naturally lower calorie and higher satiety than processed foods
If You Are Underweight (BMI Below 18.5)
Gaining weight in a healthy, controlled way requires:
- A calorie surplus of 300–500 kcal above TDEE
- High protein intake to support muscle gain rather than just fat gain
- Resistance training to direct surplus calories toward muscle development
- If underweight is related to disordered eating or medical condition — seeking professional support is essential before attempting dietary changes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy weight for a 5’6″ woman?
What is a healthy weight for a 6 foot man?
Is BMI an accurate measure of healthy weight?
What is the healthiest BMI number?
How can I reach a healthy weight safely?
The Bottom Line
A healthy weight for your height is the weight at which your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. Use the charts above to find your range. Remember that these are reference ranges — individual factors including muscle mass, age, ethnicity, and body composition mean that the optimal weight for you may differ from the chart midpoint.
Combine BMI with waist circumference (men below 94 cm, women below 80 cm), fitness level, and blood markers for a comprehensive picture of health that the scale alone cannot provide.
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