How to use the healthy weight calculator
- Choose Metric (cm, kg) or US units (ft, in, lb).
- Enter your height.
- Enter your current weight.
- Read your healthy weight range. Below it you'll see whether you're inside, above or below the range, by how much, and the weight at several points within it.
How the healthy weight range is calculated
A healthy weight for adults is usually defined as a body mass index (BMI) from 18.5 to 24.9, the World Health Organization's "normal" band. Rearranging the BMI formula turns those two numbers into weights for your height:
Height is squared, so the range widens as height increases: about 14 kg wide at 150 cm, but about 23 kg wide at 190 cm. If you're above the range, the calculator also gives a rough time frame at a gradual pace of 0.5 to 1 kg a week, or 1 to 2 lb a week in US units. That's the steady rate the CDC says makes weight easier to keep off.
Worked example
These are the calculator's defaults: a height of 175 cm and a current weight of 80 kg.
- Height squared: 1.75 × 1.75 = 3.0625
- Lowest healthy weight: 18.5 × 3.0625 = 56.7 kg
- Highest healthy weight: 24.9 × 3.0625 = 76.3 kg, so the range is 56.7 – 76.3 kg
- Current BMI: 80 ÷ 3.0625 = 26.1, just above the range
- Distance: 80 − 76.26 = 3.7 kg above the top of the range
- Time frame: 3.7 kg at 1 kg a week is about 4 weeks; at 0.5 kg a week it's about 8 weeks
The middle of the range, at a BMI of 21.7, is 66.5 kg. You don't need to reach the middle: anywhere in the range counts as healthy.
Healthy weight ranges by height
| Height | Healthy range | Height | Healthy range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 41.6 – 56.0 kg | 5 ft 0 in | 94.7 – 127.5 lb |
| 160 cm | 47.4 – 63.7 kg | 5 ft 4 in | 107.8 – 145.1 lb |
| 170 cm | 53.5 – 72.0 kg | 5 ft 8 in | 121.7 – 163.8 lb |
| 180 cm | 59.9 – 80.7 kg | 6 ft 0 in | 136.4 – 183.6 lb |
| 190 cm | 66.8 – 89.9 kg | 6 ft 4 in | 152.0 – 204.6 lb |
Choosing a target inside the range
If you are above the range, the nearest edge is a sensible first goal: here, 76.3 kg rather than 66.5 kg. Losing even 5% of your body weight can improve blood pressure and blood sugar, so progress counts before you reach the range. If you are below the range, or losing weight without trying, see a doctor first, because it can be a sign of an illness.
The range has limits. It's for adults aged 20 and over, not children or pregnant women. Very muscular people can be healthy above it. Some health services set a lower cut-off, such as a BMI of 23, for people of Asian background, because health risks rise at lower weights. Your doctor or a dietitian can give you a target that takes your age, health and history into account. The calorie calculator can help you plan intake once you have one.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a BMI calculator?
A BMI calculator starts from your weight and tells you your category. This calculator starts from your height and gives a target: the weight range you'd need to be in for a healthy BMI, and how far you are from it. The two use the same formula, just in opposite directions.
What weight should I aim for?
Anywhere inside the range is considered healthy. If you're above it, the top of the range is a realistic first target. A doctor or dietitian can help you pick a goal that suits your build and health.
How fast can I safely reach a healthy weight?
The CDC describes about 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kg) a week as a gradual, steady pace, and people who lose weight that way are more likely to keep it off. Faster loss through very low-calorie diets should only happen under medical supervision.
Does the healthy range change with age?
The standard adult range is the same at every age from 20 onward. Some research suggests that a BMI slightly above 25 is not linked to higher risk in people over 65, so older adults should check their target with a doctor.
Related calculators
- BMI Calculator — Your body mass index, weight category and healthy weight range, in metric or US units.
- Ideal Weight Calculator — Ideal body weight from the Robinson, Miller, Devine and Hamwi formulas, next to the healthy BMI range.
- Overweight Calculator — Check whether a weight is overweight for its height, how much above the healthy range it is, and your waist-to-height ratio.
- Calorie Calculator — Daily calories to maintain your weight, plus gradual targets for losing or gaining, using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
Results are estimates for general information and are not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or other qualified professional about your health. See our disclaimer.