BMI Chart by Height and Weight (Adults)

By Dr. Ahmed Mortuza Saleque · Updated November 10, 2026 · How we check our content

The short answer

BMI is weight divided by height squared: kg ÷ m², or lb × 703 ÷ in². For adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is the healthy range, 25 to 29.9 is overweight and 30 or more is obesity. At 5 ft 8 in, the healthy range is about 122 to 164 lb (55 to 74 kg).

Open the BMI Calculator →

BMI chart showing underweight, healthy, overweight and obesity weight bands in pounds for heights from 5 feet to 6 feet 2 inches — Tap the image to enlarge it. Free to share with a link to this page.

Healthy weight range by height

Adults aged 20 and over. Weights rounded to the nearest pound or kilogram.

Height	Healthy weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9)	In kilograms	Obesity starts above (BMI 30)
5 ft 0 in (152 cm)	95 – 128 lb	43 – 58 kg	153 lb
5 ft 2 in (157 cm)	101 – 136 lb	46 – 62 kg	163 lb
5 ft 4 in (163 cm)	108 – 145 lb	49 – 66 kg	174 lb
5 ft 6 in (168 cm)	115 – 154 lb	52 – 70 kg	185 lb
5 ft 8 in (173 cm)	122 – 164 lb	55 – 74 kg	197 lb
5 ft 10 in (178 cm)	129 – 174 lb	58 – 79 kg	208 lb
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)	136 – 184 lb	62 – 83 kg	220 lb
6 ft 2 in (188 cm)	144 – 194 lb	65 – 88 kg	233 lb

For an exact figure, enter your height and weight in the BMI calculator.

BMI categories for adults

BMI	Category
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 – 24.9	Healthy weight
25.0 – 29.9	Overweight
30.0 – 34.9	Obesity class 1
35.0 – 39.9	Obesity class 2
40.0 and above	Obesity class 3

How to calculate BMI

Metric: divide weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. 70 kg at 1.75 m is 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.9.
Imperial: multiply weight in pounds by 703, then divide by height in inches squared. 170 lb at 69 in is 170 × 703 ÷ (69 × 69) = 25.1.
Compare the result with the categories above.

What BMI does not tell you

It cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes and very muscular people can score as overweight.
It says nothing about where fat is carried; waist size adds useful information.
Health risk at a given BMI differs between ethnic groups, and some guidelines use lower cut-offs for people of Asian descent.
It is not used the same way for children and teenagers, who are assessed with age and sex percentile charts.
It is less reliable in pregnancy and in older adults who have lost muscle.

To look at composition instead of weight alone, try the body fat calculator.

Using your result

BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis. A result outside the healthy range is a reason to talk with a doctor, who can consider blood pressure, blood tests, waist size, family history and how you feel. This article is general information, not medical advice.

Common questions

What is a healthy BMI?

For adults, 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight and 25 or above is overweight.

What should I weigh for my height?

Use the chart above. For example, at 5 ft 6 in the healthy range is about 115 to 154 lb (52 to 70 kg).

How do I calculate BMI in pounds and inches?

Multiply your weight in pounds by 703 and divide by your height in inches squared. 150 lb at 65 in gives 150 × 703 ÷ 4,225 = 25.0.

Is BMI accurate for muscular people?

No. Muscle is dense, so a lean, muscular person can have a high BMI. Body fat percentage or waist measurement is more informative in that case.