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Healthy Weight Range Calculator
Enter your height to find the weight range that corresponds to a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 (or 18.5 to 22.9 for the Asian-population cut-off), and optionally see where your current weight falls.
How the range is built
Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Turning that around, the weight that gives a particular BMI is weight = BMI × height². The World Health Organization labels a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 as normal weight in adults, so the healthy range for your height is simply 18.5 × height² at the bottom and 24.9 × height² at the top.
For someone 170 cm tall, height squared is 2.89, so the range is 18.5 × 2.89 = 53.5 kg up to 24.9 × 2.89 = 72.0 kg. That is a spread of almost 19 kg, which shows how much room the label leaves for different frames and builds. Imperial users enter inches and pounds, and the calculator converts with 1 inch = 2.54 cm and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
Why there is an Asian cut-off option
A WHO expert consultation published in 2004 reported that in many Asian populations the health risks linked to higher body fat, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, appear at lower BMI values than in European populations. It suggested 23 as a point of increased risk and 27.5 as high risk, and several countries now use 23 or 24 as the upper limit of normal. This page uses 22.9 as the top of the lower-risk band, equal to just under 23.
If you are of Asian background you may find the lower upper limit helpful, though it is a population statistic and not a personal verdict. National guidelines differ, so follow the one your clinician uses.
What a healthy range cannot tell you
- Muscle and bone: athletes can sit above the range with low body fat.
- Fat distribution: waist size says more about risk than weight; see the waist-to-height ratio calculator.
- Age: older adults may be healthier in the upper part of the range, and unplanned loss at any age deserves attention.
- Children and teens: BMI is read against growth charts by age and sex, not these adult cut-offs.
- Pregnancy: use pregnancy-specific guidance, not this range.
Being inside the range is no proof of health, and being outside it does not mean illness. Blood pressure, blood sugar, fitness, sleep and habits matter as well.
Using your result
If you are below the range and losing weight without trying, or above it and wanting to change, discuss it with a doctor or dietitian. Aim for gradual change, and treat the range as a screening guide. Reaching a number matters less than sustainable eating, activity and rest. This page is educational and not medical advice. For a single target within the range, the ideal weight calculator gives formula-based estimates.
Worked example
A person 170 cm tall who weighs 78 kg checks the standard healthy range.
Inputs
| Units | Metric (cm, kg) |
|---|---|
| Height | 170 |
| BMI range to use | Standard WHO range: 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Current weight (optional) | 78 |
Result
For a height of 170 cm. Your weight is above the range by 6.0 kg.
| Selected range (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 53.5 kg to 72.0 kg |
|---|---|
| Standard WHO range (18.5 to 24.9) | 53.5 kg to 72.0 kg |
| Asian cut-off range (18.5 to 22.9) | 53.5 kg to 66.2 kg |
| Height used | 170.0 cm (66.9 in) |
| Your BMI | 27.0 |
| Your weight | 78.0 kg is above the range by 6.0 kg |
- Weight = BMI x height in metres squared. BMI does not separate muscle from fat, so use the range as a screening guide, not a goal.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for education and general planning. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose any condition. If you are pregnant, under 18, have an eating-disorder history or a medical condition, speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before changing your diet or exercise.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for my height?
A healthy range is the weight that gives a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9, which is 18.5 to 24.9 times your height in metres squared. For 170 cm that is about 53.5 to 72.0 kg.
Why is the Asian BMI range lower?
Studies reviewed by the WHO in 2004 found that risks such as type 2 diabetes rise at lower BMI values in many Asian populations, so lower cut-offs are used in some countries for screening.
Is BMI accurate for athletes?
Not always. BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so very muscular people can fall in the overweight band while having low body fat. Waist measurements or body composition scans add information.
Does the healthy range change with age?
The adult BMI bands do not change with age, but many guidelines accept a slightly higher weight in older adults, since low weight in later life is linked with poorer outcomes. Ask your clinician.
Can I use this for my child?
No. Children are assessed with BMI-for-age growth charts that account for age and sex. Ask your paediatrician or health visitor.
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References and sources
- World Health Organization (2000). Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. WHO Technical Report Series 894. Link
- WHO Expert Consultation (2004). Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. The Lancet 363(9403):157-163.