BMI Calculator

What is the ideal weight to be a healthy weight for my height and age?

Many people want the answer to this question: How much do I need to weigh? However, there is not any one healthy weight ideal that is appropriate for everyone, since a number of different factors play a role.

Ezra Bailey/Getty Images

These include an age, muscle-fat ratio height, sex, and the distribution of body fat, or the body's shape.

A person who is overweight may increase the likelihood of developing various health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems.

Some people who carry extra weight experiences health problems. But, research conducted by researchersTrusted Source believes that, while the extra weight might not currently impact the health of a person, a lack of management could lead to problems in the near future.

Check out this article to learn about the different ways to figure out the ideal body weight.

Method 1: BMI (Body Mass Index) ( BMI)

The body mass index (BMI) is a popular instrument to determine whether a person has an appropriate body weight. It measures the person's weight in relation to height.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source:

• A BMI less than 18.5 means that a person is underweight.
• A BMI of in the range of 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal.
• A BMI that is between 25 and 29.9 is considered to be overweight.
• A BMI higher than 30 means you are obese.

Body mass index calculator

To determine your BMI to calculate your BMI, use our BMI calculators or review our charts below.

BMI Calculator

Units:U.S. (Imperial)MetricHeight:FeetInchesWeight:PoundsCALCULATEThis BMI calculator is for informational purposes only. Get advice from a healthcare professional prior to making any medical decisions. BMI may be an ineffective assessment of health risk . It may not be accurate because it cannot be used to calculate the proportion or the percentage of the fat content in your body. BMI calculater source: National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Weight and height guide chart

The following chart of the weight and height makes use of BMI tables taken from the National Institute of HealthTrusted Source to determine how much a person's weight should be for their height.

Height	Weight
	Normal	Overweight	Obesity	Severe obesity
4ft 10'' (58'')	between 91 and 115 lbs.	from 119 to 138lbs.	between 143 and 186 pounds.	191 to 258 lbs.
4ft 11'' (59'')	Between 94 and 119 pounds.	between 124 and 143 lbs.	148 to 193 lbs.	between 198 and 267 lbs.
5ft (60'')	Between 97 and 123 lbs.	128 to 148 pounds.	between 153 and 199 lbs.	Between 204 and 276 pounds.
5ft 1'' (61'')	100 to 127 pounds.	From 132 to 153 pounds.	between 158 and 206 lbs.	Between 211 and 285 pounds.
5ft 2'' (62'')	between 104 and 131 lbs.	From 136 to 158 pounds.	164 to 213 lbs.	218 to 295 lbs.
5ft 3'' (63'')	from 107 to 135lbs.	From 141 to 163 pounds.	Between 169 and 220 pounds.	225 to 304 lbs.
5ft 4'' (64'')	110-140 170 to 140.	145 to 169 lbs.	174 to 227 lbs.	231 to 314 lbs.
5ft 5'' (65'')	between 114 and 144 lbs.	150-174lbs.	200 to 234 lbs.	Between 240 and 324 lbs.
5ft 6'' (66'')	118 to 148 lbs.	between 155 and 179 lbs.	Between 186 and 241 pounds.	247-334 pounds.
5ft 7'' (67'')	From 121 to 153 pounds.	from 159 to 185lbs.	191 to 249 pounds.	between 255 and 344 lbs.
5ft 8'' (68'')	from 125 to 158lbs.	between 164 and 190 lbs.	Between 197 and 256 lbs.	262 to 354 lbs.
5ft 9'' (69'')	128 to 162 pounds.	between 169 and 196 pounds.	from 203 to 263lbs.	270 to 365 lbs.
5ft 10'' (70'')	From 132 to 167 pounds.	From 174 to 202 pounds.	209 to 271 lbs.	278 to 376 lbs.
5ft 11'' (71'')	from 136 to 172lbs.	Between 179 and 208 pounds.	215 to 279 175- 279 lbs.	286 to 386 pounds.
6ft (72'')	140 to 177lbs.	From 184 to 213 pounds.	221 - 287 lbs.	294-397 lbs.
6ft 1'' (73'')	between 144 and 182 pounds.	From 189 to 219 lbs.	227 to 295 pounds.	302 to 408 pounds.
6ft 2'' (74'')	from 148 to 186lbs.	194 to 225 pounds.	between 233 and 303 lbs.	311 to 420 to 420 lbs.
6ft 3'' (75'')	From 152 to 192 pounds.	200 to 232lbs.	From 240 to 311 pounds.	319 - 431 lbs.
6ft 4'' (76'')	between 156 and 197 lbs.	Between 205 and 238 pounds.	246 to 320 325 to 320 pounds.	328 to 443 lbs.
BMI	19 to 24	25 to 29	30 to 39	40 to 54

What is the problem with BMI?

BMI is a very basic measurement. Although it takes height into consideration, it doesn't consider things like:

• measurement of waist or hips
• The proportion or distribution of fat
• the proportion of muscle mass

They, too, could be detrimental to health.

For example, athletes who are high-performance tend to be well-fit and have a low amount of body fat. They may have a higher BMI due to their higher strength, but this does not mean that they are overweight.

BMI can also give an indication of whether the weight of a person is healthy. It can be useful in determining the trends of population studies.

But, it shouldn't be the only method for individuals to determine if their weight is adequate or not.

Method 2: Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)

A person's waist-to-hip measurement compares their waist size to that of their hips.

Research has revealed that people who have the most body fat around their middle are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as diabetes.

The higher the waist measurement in relation to the hips, higher the risk.

This is why an index of waist-to hip (WHR) is an important method to determine if one is healthy in weight and size.

Check your waist-to hip ratio.

1. Take a measurement around your waist to determine the most narrow area, usually right above the belly button.

2. Divide this measurement by the measurement around your hip at its widest part.

If a person's waist measurement is 28 inches and their hips measure 36 inches, they will divide the 28 by 36. This will give them 0.77.

What is it that you are looking for?

The effect of WHR on the risk of cardiovascular illness (CVD) is different for females and males, because they tend to have different body shapes.

Research suggests that WHR can impactTrusted Source the risks of CVD as follows:

In males

• Under 0.9 This means that the risk for having cardiovascular diseases is low.
• From 0.9 to 0.99 The risk is moderate.
• At 1.0 or more: The risk of a high risk.

For females

• Below 0.8 The risk is low.
• From 0.8 From 0.8 to 0.89: This is an average risk.
• At 0.9 or above the risk is very high.

However, these numbers may differ from Trusted Source according to the source and the people for which they're applicable.

WHR could be a better predictor of heart attacks and other health issues than BMI however, it does not consider fat distribution.

A study of health records from 1,349 patients from Trusted Source across 11 countries that was released in 2013, proved that those with higher WHR also have a higher risk of medical and surgical complications relating to colorectal surgery.

But, WHR doesn't accurately gauge a person's total body fat percentage or their ratio of muscle to fat.

To discover more evidence-based information along with resources for weight loss and managing weight, check out our dedicated hub.

Method 3: Waist-to-height ratio

A ratio of waist-to-height (WtHR) is another instrument that might predict the risk from heart attack, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality more accurately than BMI.

A person who's waist measurement is less than half of their height has a lower risk for a variety of life-threatening health issues.

Determine your waist-to height ratio.

To calculate the WtHR, the person must divide their waist measurement in half by the height. If the answer is 0.5 or less, it is likely that they are at a healthy weight.

• A woman who is 5 feet four inches tall (163 cm) is expected to have a waist measurement lower than 32 inches (81 centimeters).
• A man who is 6'1" or 183 centimeters (cm) taller, must have a waist measurement below 36 inches or 91cm.

These measurements will yield a WtHR just below 0.5.

In a study conducted byTrusted Source at the end of 2014, in PLOS One, researchers concluded that WtHR was a more reliable indicator of mortality than BMI.

The authors also cited results in a different study with data for about 300,000 residents from diverse ethnic groups . It concluded that WHtR is more reliable than BMI in predicting strokes, heart attacks diabetes, and hypertension.

This indicates that the WHtR could be a valuable screening tool.

A waist measurement that takes the size of the waist into account are good indications of dangers to health because the weight gain around the midline can cause harm to the heart, kidneys, and the liver.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source informs us that a male with a waist size of 40 inches or more, or a woman with a waist size of 35 inches or greater, has an increased risk of being diagnosed with people with the following characteristics:

• Type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• coronary arterial disease

This does not, however, take a person's height or hip size into consideration.MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTERKnowledge is power. Join our free daily newsletter.

Discover more about the health topics you care about most. Subscribe to our facts-first newsletter today.Enter your email address now to sign up.

We value your privacy and respect it. us

Method 4: Body fat percentage

Body fat percentage is the weight of a person's fat divided by their weight total.

The total body fat content includes both essential fats and storage fats.

essential fat A person requires essential fat to live. It is an essential component in a variety of bodily functions. For men, it is recommended to maintain 2 to 4 percent of their body's composition as vital fat. For women, this figure is between 10 and 13 percent, as per the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Storage fat A healthy fat layer protects internal organs inside the abdomen and chest and the body may use it when needed for energy.

Aside from the rough guidelines for women and men The ideal total fat percentage can depend on the physique of the individual or intensity.

ACE recommend this percentage:

Active level	male body type	Female Body Type
Athletes	6-13%	14-20%
Fit non-athletes	14-17%	21-24%
Acceptable	18-25%	25-31%
Overweight	26-37%	32-41%
Obesity	38 percent or more	42 percent or more

A higher proportion of body fat can indicate the possibility of

• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• stroke

Calculating body fat percentage may be a useful way to assess a person's fitness level as it shows the person's body composition. BMI is, however, doesn't distinguish between muscle mass and fat.

How to determine body fat percentage

The most widely used method for measuring the percentage of body fat is to make the measurement of a skinfold, which makes use of special calipers that pinch the skin.

The health professional will evaluate tissue on the thigh, abdomen, chest (for males)) or the upper arm (for women). The techniques provide an accurate measurement within a range of 3.5 percent, as per ACE.

Other methods include trusted Source:

• measurement of body fat in hydrostatic fluids, also known as "underwater weighing"
• densitometry of air, which measures air displacement
• dual energetic X-ray evidence (DXA)
• bioelectrical impedance study

They aren't able to provide an accurate 100 percent reading But these estimates come close to allow an adequate assessment.

Many doctors' offices and gyms offer devices to gauge a person's body fat percentage.

Video

In this video by What Matters Nutrition, David Brewer, a registered dietician, takes a look at the question of ideal weight, discussing many of the points raised above.https://www.youtube.com/embed/CjYBL9rsM5I?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com&widgetid=1

Takeaway

BMI, body mass index (BMI) as well as waist-to hip ratio (WHR) as well as waist-to height ratio (WtHR), and body-fat percentage are all four methods of assessing the weight of a person who is healthy.

Combining them is the most efficient way to obtain an accurate assessment of whether it is worth acting or not.

If you are concerned over their size, weight or body type should speak to a nutritionist or doctor. They will be able to advise about suitable options.