Healthy Weight Range Calculator
Find healthy weight range from height using BMI 18.5-24.9 guidelines.
Returns underweight, normal, overweight, and obese thresholds in pounds and kg.
The BMI-based healthy weight range works backwards from the standard BMI formula to calculate the minimum and maximum healthy weight for a given height — giving you a target range rather than a single number.
Standard BMI Formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²
In US units: BMI = (Weight (lbs) × 703) / Height (inches)²
Healthy Weight Range Calculation:
For a healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9, the target weight range is:
Min Healthy Weight = 18.5 × Height (m)² Max Healthy Weight = 24.9 × Height (m)²
Worked Example — Person 5 feet 9 inches tall (175.3 cm = 1.753 m):
- Height²: 1.753² = 3.073 m²
- Min healthy weight: 18.5 × 3.073 = 56.9 kg (125.4 lbs)
- Max healthy weight: 24.9 × 3.073 = 76.5 kg (168.8 lbs)
- Healthy range: 125–169 lbs
BMI Classification:
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| < 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5–24.9 | Healthy weight |
| 25.0–29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0–34.9 | Obese Class I |
| 35.0–39.9 | Obese Class II |
| ≥ 40.0 | Obese Class III |
Important Limitation: BMI does not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass. Elite athletes often register as “overweight” by BMI despite having low body fat. Body composition methods (DEXA scan, hydrostatic weighing) provide more accurate health assessment. BMI is best used as a population-level screening tool, not a definitive individual health metric.