How Much Should I Weigh for My Height and Age?

January 22, 2026
How Much Should I Weigh for My Height and Age?

There is no single "right" number, but there is a healthy range. The World Health Organization and the CDC define it with the BMI band 18.5–24.9. Age nudges that band slightly upward after 65.

The formula, plainly

Healthy weight (kg) = BMI × (height in meters)². Multiply the low end (18.5) and the high end (24.9) by your height squared to get your range.

For a 5'6" adult (1.676 m), the healthy range works out to roughly 115–155 lbs (52–70 kg).

What changes with age

Under 65: use the standard 18.5–24.9 band.

65+: several large studies show a slightly higher BMI (up to ~27) is protective against illness and fall recovery. A 2–3% upward shift in the range is reasonable.

Frame size and muscle mass matter more than age for most adults under 65.

Get your exact range in a single screen.

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