Healthy Weight by Height
Men & Women — Full Chart

The healthy weight range for any height is calculated using the standard BMI range of 18.5–24.9 (or ≤22.9 for adults of Asian descent). The formula average shown is the mean of four validated clinical formulas — Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), and Hamwi (1964) — each originally developed for medical dosing or dietetic use.

How to Read This Chart

The healthy range column is derived from BMI 18.5–24.9 applied to each height — the WHO standard for adult healthy weight. The Asian range uses the lower WHO threshold of BMI ≤22.9, recommended for adults of Asian descent due to higher metabolic risk at lower BMI values.

The formula average combines four clinical ideal weight formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) into a single reference point. This number is not a target — it simply represents the midpoint of clinical estimates for that height. BMI remains the primary standard for healthy weight assessment.

Why Men and Women Have Different Formula Averages

The four ideal weight formulas produce different results for men and women at the same height because they were developed on sex-specific population data. Men generally have greater bone density, muscle mass, and lean body mass than women of the same height, which the formulas account for. The BMI-based healthy weight range, however, is the same for both sexes at any given height.

Limitations of BMI-Based Weight Ranges

BMI (and by extension, the weight ranges derived from it) has well-documented limitations as an individual health measure:

• Doesn't measure body fat directly: A muscular athlete may have a BMI of 27 despite very low body fat. Use our Body Fat Calculator for a more accurate assessment.
• Doesn't account for fat distribution: Where fat is stored matters. Visceral abdominal fat carries higher health risk than subcutaneous fat in other areas. Our Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator captures this.
• Population averages, not individual targets: Health status at any given weight depends on factors including diet quality, physical fitness, genetics, and medical history that BMI cannot capture.
• May underestimate risk in some ethnic groups: This is why separate Asian BMI thresholds exist.

How to Reach or Maintain Your Healthy Weight

If your current weight falls outside your healthy range, the following evidence-based steps are most effective:

• Calculate your daily energy needs with our Calorie Calculator and aim for a moderate deficit of 300–500 kcal/day if weight loss is your goal
• Prioritise protein intake (1.6–2.0 g per kg of body weight) to preserve muscle while losing fat — see our high-protein foods guide
• Include at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity plus 2 resistance training sessions per week
• Use our Calorie Deficit Calculator to estimate your realistic weight loss timeline