Healthy weight for your height
- The healthy range is based on a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 (18.5 to 22.9 where NICE’s lower thresholds apply).
- It is a range on purpose: frame size, muscle and age all affect where you naturally sit within it.
- If you are above the range, losing 5–10% of your current weight already brings real health benefits.
Why a range, not one number
There is no single “ideal weight” for a given height. Two people of the same height can be equally healthy at weights several kilograms apart because of differences in muscle, bone and body shape. The healthy range shows the weights at which, across large populations, the risk of weight-related illness is lowest.
Healthy weight at common heights
| Height | Healthy weight (kg) | Healthy weight (stones) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) | 41.6 – 56.0 kg | 6 st 8 lb – 8 st 12 lb |
| 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) | 44.4 – 59.8 kg | 7 st 0 lb – 9 st 6 lb |
| 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) | 47.4 – 63.7 kg | 7 st 6 lb – 10 st 1 lb |
| 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | 50.4 – 67.8 kg | 7 st 13 lb – 10 st 9 lb |
| 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | 53.5 – 72.0 kg | 8 st 6 lb – 11 st 5 lb |
| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | 56.7 – 76.3 kg | 8 st 13 lb – 12 st 0 lb |
| 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | 59.9 – 80.7 kg | 9 st 6 lb – 12 st 10 lb |
| 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | 63.3 – 85.2 kg | 10 st 0 lb – 13 st 6 lb |
| 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | 66.8 – 89.9 kg | 10 st 7 lb – 14 st 2 lb |
Based on a BMI of 18.5–24.9. If NICE's lower thresholds apply to you, the top of the range is lower — use the calculator above.
A realistic first goal
If you are some way above the range, the top of it can feel out of reach. Research consistently shows that a loss of 5–10% of your body weight is enough to make a measurable difference to blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and joint pain. For someone weighing 100 kg, that is 5 to 10 kg — a goal you can work towards in months, not years.
Track your waist measurement too: it often keeps falling even when the scales stall, especially if you are building muscle through strength training.
When to get help
If your BMI is 30 or more — or 27 or more with a condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea — you may be eligible for a medical weight-loss programme alongside diet and activity changes.
Not sure if medical weight loss is right for you?
Our free online assessment takes about five minutes. A GPhC-registered prescriber reviews it and only recommends treatment if it is safe and suitable for you.
Start the free assessmentFrequently asked questions
Should I aim for the middle of the healthy range?
Not necessarily. Any weight within the range is linked with good health for most adults. If you are starting above it, losing 5–10% is a meaningful first goal.
Does the healthy range change with age?
The adult BMI ranges are the same at every adult age, but BMI is less precise in older adults, who often have less muscle. Staying strong and active matters as much as the number.
I’m very muscular — does this apply to me?
Muscle is denser than fat, so athletes and people who lift weights can sit above the range while carrying little fat. Your waist-to-height ratio is a better guide for you.
This page is general health information. It does not replace advice from your GP or another healthcare professional who knows your history. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact your GP or NHS 111; in an emergency call 999. Prescription treatment is only supplied after an assessment by a registered prescriber.