Ideal Weight Chart
A single number as your “perfect” weight is a myth. Your ideal weight depends on height, gender, age, and frame size–real doctors and nutritionists rely on ranges, not fixed figures. The ideal weight chart below converts those ranges into clear, height-specific numbers so you can instantly see where you stand.
Reference: Ideal Weight Chart by Height
Metric (cm → kg)
| Height (cm) | Healthy Range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 150 | 41.6 – 56.0 |
| 155 | 44.4 – 59.9 |
| 160 | 47.4 – 63.9 |
| 165 | 50.4 – 68.0 |
| 170 | 53.5 – 72.3 |
| 175 | 56.7 – 76.6 |
| 180 | 60.0 – 81.0 |
| 185 | 63.3 – 85.5 |
| 190 | 66.7 – 90.1 |
| 195 | 70.2 – 94.8 |
| 200 | 73.8 – 99.6 |
Imperial (ft/in → lbs)
| Height | Healthy Range (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 5′0″ | 95 – 126 |
| 5′2″ | 101 – 136 |
| 5′4″ | 108 – 145 |
| 5′6″ | 115 – 154 |
| 5′8″ | 122 – 164 |
| 5′10″ | 129 – 174 |
| 6′0″ | 136 – 184 |
| 6′2″ | 144 – 194 |
| 6′4″ | 152 – 205 |
Based on BMI 18.5–24.9 for general populations. Values rounded. Individual factors such as muscle mass, frame size, and ethnicity may shift these ranges.
What Is an Ideal Weight Chart?
An ideal weight chart lists a healthy weight range for each height, usually separated by sex. Most modern charts are derived from body mass index (BMI) – a formula that divides weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (kg/m²). A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal; 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight; 30.0 and above is obese.
BMIs below 18.5 signal underweight and carry their own health risks. The chart translates these clinical cutoffs into plain kilograms or pounds so you don’t have to do the math.
Charts that use medical formulas like Devine or Robinson produce slightly different numbers because they were originally created for drug dosing, not public health. However, they still align closely with BMI-based ranges for most people.
Ideal Weight Chart by Height (Metric)
The table below shows the healthy weight range for adults aged 20–65 based on BMI 18.5–24.9. Values are rounded to the nearest kilogram.
| Height (cm) | Healthy weight range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 150 | 41.6 – 56.0 |
| 155 | 44.4 – 59.9 |
| 160 | 47.4 – 63.9 |
| 165 | 50.4 – 68.0 |
| 170 | 53.5 – 72.3 |
| 175 | 56.7 – 76.6 |
| 180 | 60.0 – 81.0 |
| 185 | 63.3 – 85.5 |
| 190 | 66.7 – 90.1 |
| 195 | 70.2 – 94.8 |
| 200 | 73.8 – 99.6 |
For heights between those listed, pick the nearest value. The ranges overlap: a 172 cm person can weigh 55 kg or 71 kg and still be classified as healthy, provided other risk factors are absent.
Ideal Weight Chart by Height (Imperial)
If you work in feet and inches, the same BMI boundaries translate to this chart.
| Height (ft/in) | Healthy weight range (lbs) |
|---|---|
| 5′0″ | 95 – 126 |
| 5′2″ | 101 – 136 |
| 5′4″ | 108 – 145 |
| 5′6″ | 115 – 154 |
| 5′8″ | 122 – 164 |
| 5′10″ | 129 – 174 |
| 6′0″ | 136 – 184 |
| 6′2″ | 144 – 194 |
| 6′4″ | 152 – 205 |
Women generally gravitate toward the lower half of each range because they carry less muscle mass; men tend toward the middle and upper portions. Frame size–wrist circumference–nudges the range slightly up or down.
Factors That Shift Your Ideal Weight
Three elements make any chart a starting point rather than a verdict.
- Muscle mass. A power-lifter can register a BMI of 28 while carrying 12% body fat–clinically overweight but metabolically fit. If your waist measurement is below 94 cm (men) or 80 cm (women), excess muscle likely explains the higher number.
- Age. After 40, caloric needs drop about 150–200 kcal per decade. The BMI range still applies, but staying near the middle of it may require more activity. Some geriatric guidelines allow a BMI up to 27 for people over 65, citing protective energy reserves.
- Ethnicity. The World Health Organization recommends lower BMI cutoffs for Asian populations: 18.5–22.9 for normal weight, 23–24.9 for pre‑overweight. If your ancestry is South or East Asian, the chart’s upper limits may overestimate what is healthy for you.
How to Use the Calculator Above
The calculator combines the most cited medical formulas–Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi–with the standard BMI range. Enter your height, gender, and age to see your personalized ideal weight span. The result shows a midpoint (often called “ideal body weight”) and the full healthy range based on a BMI of 18.5–24.9.
Example: A 35‑year‑old woman who is 165 cm tall will see a Devine‑based figure of about 56.1 kg and a BMI‑based range of 50–68 kg. The overlap gives a practical target: roughly 54–62 kg.
Remember that the calculator uses population-level formulas; it cannot account for your specific bone density, muscle mass, or medical history. Treat the output as a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Beyond the Chart: Waist‑to‑Height Ratio
Mountains of research now point to waist‑to‑height ratio as a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic risk than BMI alone. The advice is simple: keep your waist circumference to less than half your height. For a 170 cm person, that means a waist below 85 cm. If your BMI is normal but your waist‑to‑height ratio is above 0.5, the extra abdominal fat still raises your risk for type‑2 diabetes and hypertension.
You can measure your ratio and cross‑check it with the ideal weight chart to get a clearer picture.
Practical Steps to Reach Your Range
If your current weight falls outside the chart’s healthy bracket, small, evidence-based changes produce lasting results.
- Track for a week. Write down everything you eat and drink. Most people underestimate intake by 20–40%.
- Create a modest deficit. A daily reduction of 300–500 kcal leads to 0.25–0.5 kg loss per week. Larger deficits often backfire due to muscle loss and rebound eating.
- Prioritize protein. Aim for 1.2–1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight to preserve muscle during weight loss. Higher protein also increases satiety.
- Add resistance training. Two or three sessions a week signal your body to burn fat, not muscle. The number on the scale might not plummet, but your waist circumference will.
- Sleep 7–8 hours. Chronic sleep deprivation raises ghrelin (hunger hormone) and lowers leptin (satiety hormone), making weight loss harder.
When to See a Professional
The ideal weight chart is a population-level guide. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, over 65, or have a chronic condition such as thyroid disease or heart failure, consult a registered dietitian or physician before making weight decisions. Rapid, unintended weight changes–losing or gaining more than 5% of body weight in a month–also warrant a medical evaluation.
This article provides general educational information. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding questions about your weight or health.