BMI chart for adults: healthy weight by height
Find the healthy weight range for your height, using both WHO categories and the lower cut-offs often used for Asian adults.
BMI (body mass index) compares your weight with your height. It is a quick screening number for adults, used by doctors and health services worldwide. The chart below shows the healthy weight range for each height, using both the World Health Organization (WHO) categories and the lower cut-offs often used for South Asian and other Asian adults.
The BMI formula
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
Example: a person 5 ft 7 in tall (1.70 m) weighing 70 kg has a BMI of 70 ÷ 1.702² = 24.2. To convert feet and inches to metres, multiply total inches by 0.0254.
BMI categories
| Category | WHO | Asian cut-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.5 |
| Healthy | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 | 23 – 27.4 |
| Obese | 30 and above | 27.5 and above |
Research has found that South Asians tend to face risks such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than Europeans. That is why the WHO has suggested lower action points for Asian populations, and many doctors in Pakistan and India use them.
Healthy weight chart by height (adults)
| Height | Healthy (WHO) | Healthy (Asian) | Overweight from (WHO) | Overweight from (Asian) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) | 40 – 54 kg | 40 – 50 kg | 54 kg | 50 kg |
| 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) | 43 – 58 kg | 43 – 53 kg | 58 kg | 53 kg |
| 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) | 46 – 62 kg | 46 – 57 kg | 62 kg | 57 kg |
| 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | 49 – 66 kg | 49 – 61 kg | 66 kg | 61 kg |
| 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | 52 – 70 kg | 52 – 64 kg | 70 kg | 65 kg |
| 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | 55 – 74 kg | 55 – 68 kg | 75 kg | 69 kg |
| 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | 58 – 79 kg | 58 – 72 kg | 79 kg | 73 kg |
| 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | 62 – 83 kg | 62 – 77 kg | 84 kg | 77 kg |
| 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 65 – 88 kg | 65 – 81 kg | 88 kg | 81 kg |
| 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 69 – 93 kg | 69 – 85 kg | 93 kg | 86 kg |
Weights are rounded to the nearest kilogram. For a height that is not listed, use the BMI calculator, which accepts feet and inches or centimetres, and kilograms or pounds.
How to read your result
- Below the healthy range: being underweight can be linked to poor nutrition or other health issues. Speak to a doctor if you are losing weight without trying.
- In the healthy range: keep up regular activity and a balanced diet.
- Above the healthy range: your risk of some conditions may be higher. A doctor can check other measures, such as waist size, blood pressure and blood sugar.
Limits of BMI
BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes and very muscular people may show as overweight. It does not show where fat is stored; fat around the waist carries more risk. It is not used in the same way for children and teenagers (who use age-and-sex growth charts), pregnant women or older adults with muscle loss. Treat BMI as a starting point and talk to a doctor about your own health.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for 5 feet 6 inches?
Using WHO categories, about 52 to 70 kg. Using Asian cut-offs, about 52 to 64 kg.
What is a normal BMI?
The WHO healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9. Many doctors in South Asia use 18.5 to 22.9 for Asian adults.
Why are Asian BMI cut-offs lower?
Studies show health risks such as diabetes rise at a lower BMI in Asian populations, so lower action points are often used.
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. It is a general screening tool for adults and does not account for muscle mass, body shape or where fat is stored.
Can children use this BMI chart?
No. Children and teenagers are assessed with age-and-sex BMI percentile charts. Ask a doctor.