Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best strategies to maintain your health, energy, and appearance.

Body mass index (BMI) is measure of body fat based on height and weight. BMI standards are as follows:

  • BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight
  • BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal
  • BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight
  • BMI greater than 39 is obese

These standards were determined based on mortality data that shows that individuals with BMIs between 18.5 and 24.9 have relatively low risks of death and disease related to their weights. The health risks increase significantly as individuals get farther from the normal BMI range.

Use the BMI calculator below to determine your BMI.

If your BMI is greater than 25, you're not alone. Over half of U.S. men are overweight or obese. If you'd like to lose weight, visit our Losing Weight page for practical suggestions.

If you'd like to gain weight, visit our Gaining Weight page.
<font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b>Calculate your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator</b></font>
(feet) (inches)

(pounds)
Your BMI is
To determine the maximum you can weigh and still be considered to be normal weight, find your height on the table below and scan across to the BMI 25 column (yellow). Ideally, you should weigh less than the number in the yellow box. For example, if you're 5 feet 8 inches tall, you would need to weigh less than 164 lbs to be considered normal weight.

It is important to note that BMI assumes a normal range of muscle. BMI does not accurately assess body fat in athletes, particularly body builders, who have a lot of muscle mass or in the very frail or elderly who may have lost a lot of muscle mass.

Body Mass Index Table

BMI 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
Height
(feet & inches)		 Body Weight (pounds)
4 ft 8 in 91 96 100 105 110 115 119 124 129 134 138 143 148 153 158 162 167
4 ft 9 in 94 99 104 109 114 119 124 128 133 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 173
5 feet 97 102 107 112 118 123 128 133 138 143 148 153 158 163 168 174 179
5 ft 1 in 100 106 111 116 122 127 132 137 143 148 153 158 164 169 174 180 185
5 ft 2 in 104 109 115 120 126 131 136 142 147 153 158 164 169 175 180 186 191
5 ft 3 in 107 113 118 124 130 135 141 146 152 158 163 169 175 180 186 191 197
5 ft 4 in 110 116 122 128 134 140 145 151 157 163 169 174 180 186 192 197 204
5 ft 5 in 114 120 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180 186 192 198 204 210
5 ft 6 in 118 124 130 136 142 148 155 161 167 173 179 186 192 198 204 210 216
5 ft 7 in 121 127 134 140 146 153 159 166 172 178 185 191 198 204 211 217 223
5 ft 8 in 125 131 138 144 151 158 164 171 177 184 190 197 203 210 216 223 230
5 ft 9 in 128 135 142 149 155 162 169 176 182 189 196 203 209 216 223 230 236
5 ft 10 in 132 139 146 153 160 167 174 181 188 195 202 209 216 222 229 236 243
5 ft 11 in 136 143 150 157 165 172 179 186 193 200 208 215 222 229 236 243 250
6 feet 140 147 154 162 169 177 184 191 199 206 213 221 228 235 242 250 258
6 ft 1 in 144 151 159 166 174 182 189 197 204 212 219 227 235 242 250 257 265
6 ft 2 in 148 155 163 171 179 186 194 202 210 218 225 233 241 249 256 264 272
6 ft 3 in 152 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 279
6 ft 4 in 156 164 172 180 189 197 205 213 221 230 238 246 254 263 271 279 287
The Bottom Line

There are increased health risks associated with being too thin or too heavy.

Dietary changes that bring your BMI into the normal range can increase your chances or leading a long and healthy life.
Waist to Hip Ratio

BMI isn't the only indicator of weight-related health risks.

It's not only how much fat you have on you body, but where it's stored that's important.

One of the possible reasons why men have a shorter life span than women is that male hormones favor weight gain around the waist. Unfortunately, abdominal weight gain is risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.

To determine your Waist-to-Hip ratio divide your waist size at its smallest point by your hip size at its largest point.

For men a waist to hip ratio of 1.0 or less is desirable. In simple terms if your waist is bigger than your hips, it's a risk factor.

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Men's Diet Sense provides general nutrition information and education. Specific medical advice should be obtained from a licensed health care practitioner. Consult your physician before you begin a diet or exercise program.
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