Healthy Weight Calculator · Practical guide
Healthy BMI Weight Range Chart
The pound values behind BMI 18.5-24.9, by height — plus where overweight and obese begin.
At a glance
How to Read the Chart
The WHO defines a healthy BMI as 18.5 to 24.9. Because BMI is weight divided by height squared, each height has its own healthy weight band — the chart below converts the BMI cutoffs into pounds.
Interactive tool
Healthy Weight Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Results
Healthy Weight by Height
| Height | Healthy (BMI 18.5-24.9) | Overweight Starts (BMI 25) | Obese Starts (BMI 30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 94.7 - 127.5 lb | 128.0 lb | 153.6 lb |
| 5'2" | 101.1 - 136.1 lb | 136.7 lb | 164.0 lb |
| 5'4" | 107.8 - 145.1 lb | 145.7 lb | 174.8 lb |
| 5'6" | 114.6 - 154.3 lb | 154.9 lb | 185.9 lb |
| 5'8" | 121.7 - 163.8 lb | 164.4 lb | 197.3 lb |
| 5'10" | 128.9 - 173.5 lb | 174.2 lb | 209.1 lb |
| 6'0" | 136.4 - 183.6 lb | 184.3 lb | 221.2 lb |
The Math Behind Any Row
For any height: Weight (lb) = BMI × (Height in inches × 0.0254)² × 2.20462. At 5'8" (1.727 m), BMI 25 gives 25 × 2.983 × 2.20462 ≈ 164.4 lb. The calculator above produces the standard healthy range for any height you enter, in pounds or kilograms.
Limits of a BMI Chart
The chart is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It ignores muscle mass, frame size, age, and where fat is carried — the calculator's frame-size option shifts the range about 10% either way to personalize it. For decisions about your health, treat these bands as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy BMI number?
The WHO healthy band is 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.
Why does the chart give ranges instead of single weights?
BMI is a band, not a point — any weight between the 18.5 and 24.9 cutoffs qualifies as healthy at that height, so the chart mirrors that range.
Do these ranges apply to teenagers and children?
No. People under 20 are assessed with age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles, not the adult 18.5-24.9 cutoffs used in this chart.
Is a BMI chart accurate for muscular people?
Not fully. Muscle is dense, so muscular individuals can read as overweight at low body fat. Frame adjustment and body-fat testing give a clearer picture for athletes.