Weight According to Height and Age in kg
Many people step on a scale and wonder whether the number they see is right for their height and age. The answer is not a single magic figure – it is a range that shifts with stature, sex, and even wrist circumference. Below you will find ready-to-use tables in kilograms, the formulas doctors rely on, and an interactive calculator that does the math for you.
What Is the Ideal Weight According to Height?
The most widely accepted starting point is Body Mass Index (BMI) – a simple ratio of weight to height squared:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m)
The World Health Organization classifies a BMI of 18.5 – 24.9 as the normal (healthy) range. By rearranging the formula you can calculate the weight boundaries for any height.
For example, a person who is 170 cm (1.70 m) tall:
- Lower healthy weight: 18.5 × 1.70² = 53.5 kg
- Upper healthy weight: 24.9 × 1.70² = 71.9 kg
The calculator above performs this conversion for every height automatically.
Healthy Weight Range by Height – Table (kg)
The table below shows the minimum and maximum healthy weight based on BMI 18.5 – 24.9. Values are rounded to the nearest 0.5 kg.
| Height (cm) | Min weight (kg) | Max weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | 41.5 | 56.0 |
| 155 | 44.5 | 59.5 |
| 160 | 47.5 | 63.5 |
| 165 | 50.5 | 68.0 |
| 170 | 53.5 | 71.5 |
| 175 | 57.0 | 76.5 |
| 180 | 60.0 | 81.0 |
| 185 | 63.5 | 85.5 |
| 190 | 67.0 | 90.0 |
| 195 | 70.5 | 94.5 |
| 200 | 74.0 | 99.5 |
Because BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat, treat these numbers as a guide, not a verdict.
Ideal Weight Formulas for Men and Women
Several physicians have proposed formulas that estimate ideal body weight (IBW) in kilograms. They were developed for drug dosing but are still used in everyday health assessments.
Devine formula (1974)
- Men: 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
- Women: 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
Robinson formula (1983)
- Men: 52 + 1.9 × (height in inches − 60)
- Women: 49 + 1.7 × (height in inches − 60)
Miller formula (1983)
- Men: 56.2 + 1.41 × (height in inches − 60)
- Women: 53.1 + 1.36 × (height in inches − 60)
Hamwi formula (1964)
- Men: 48 + 2.7 × (height in inches − 60)
- Women: 45.5 + 2.2 × (height in inches − 60)
To convert your height from centimetres to inches, divide by 2.54. For example, 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches.
Comparison table – 175 cm person
| Formula | Men (kg) | Women (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Devine | 70.5 | 66.0 |
| Robinson | 68.9 | 64.1 |
| Miller | 68.7 | 65.1 |
| Hamwi | 71.9 | 65.1 |
The spread is roughly 3 – 5 kg depending on the formula, which is why averaging two or three results gives a more balanced target.
How Does Age Affect Ideal Weight?
After age 20 the body gradually loses lean muscle mass (sarcopenia) and tends to store more fat. Research published in the Journal of Gerontology notes a decline of about 1 – 2 % of lean mass per decade. This means the “ideal” weight for a healthy 60-year-old can be 2 – 4 kg higher than for a 25-year-old of the same height and sex – and still fall within normal body composition.
The BMI-based table above already accounts for this implicitly: staying within the 18.5 – 24.9 range is considered acceptable at any adult age. However, older adults should pay closer attention to waist circumference (under 102 cm for men, under 88 cm for women) as visceral fat carries greater health risks than subcutaneous fat.
Does Body Frame Size Matter?
Skeletal structure varies from person to person. A quick way to estimate frame size is the wrist circumference method:
- Measure the circumference of your wrist just above the bone.
- Compare with the reference values below.
| Height (women) | Small frame | Medium frame | Large frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 157 cm | < 14 cm | 14 – 16 cm | > 16 cm |
| 157 – 165 cm | < 15 cm | 15 – 16.5 cm | > 16.5 cm |
| Over 165 cm | < 15.5 cm | 15.5 – 17 cm | > 17 cm |
| Height (men) | Small frame | Medium frame | Large frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 175 cm | < 16.5 cm | 16.5 – 18.5 cm | > 18.5 cm |
Adjustment rule of thumb: subtract 10 % from the midpoint of your BMI range for a small frame; add 10 % for a large frame.
Ideal Weight for Children and Teenagers
Children’s growth is tracked with percentile charts rather than fixed BMI cutoffs. Paediatricians use WHO growth curves where the 50th percentile represents the median weight for a given age, sex, and height.
For adolescents aged 10 – 17, the “overweight” threshold is typically the 85th percentile, and “obese” starts at the 95th percentile. Parents should consult a paediatric growth chart rather than adult BMI tables.
Limitations of Standard Weight Tables
No single number captures a person’s health status. Key limitations include:
- Athletes and bodybuilders carry extra muscle that inflates BMI above 25 without corresponding health risk.
- Ethnicity influences body composition; Asian populations face higher health risks at lower BMI values, which is why some countries use a cutoff of 23 instead of 25 for “overweight.”
- Pregnancy adds 10 – 16 kg of healthy weight gain and requires separate guidelines.
- Elderly adults may have an “overweight” BMI yet better survival rates than those in the normal range – a phenomenon sometimes called the obesity paradox.
This information is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Summary
Your ideal weight according to height and age in kg is best understood as a range, not a single target. Start with the BMI-based healthy range for your height (see the table above), adjust for body frame size, and keep in mind that a modest gain of 2 – 4 kg after age 40 is normal and may be harmless. Use the interactive calculator at the top of this page to get a personalised result in seconds.