Healthy Weight Range by Height: How It's Calculated
How a healthy weight range is derived from the BMI 18.5–24.9 band for any given height, with example ranges and important caveats.
A "healthy weight range" for a given height is simply the weight span that keeps BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 — the standard healthy-BMI band — solved backward from height instead of forward from weight.
How the range is derived
Since BMI = weight ÷ height², rearranging for weight gives: weight = BMI × height². Plugging in 18.5 and 24.9 as the lower and upper BMI bounds for a fixed height produces the healthy weight range for that height.
Example ranges
| Height | Healthy weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9) |
|---|---|
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 108-145 lb (49-66 kg) |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 122-164 lb (55-74 kg) |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 136-184 lb (62-83 kg) |
Why this range is a guideline, not a target
Two people at the same height and the same weight can have very different body compositions and health profiles — the healthy weight range is a population-level statistical guideline, useful as a general reference point rather than a precise personal goal. Muscle mass, frame size, and individual health factors all matter more than hitting an exact number.
The BMI Calculator shows your healthy weight range alongside your current BMI for your exact height.