What is the “ideal weight” for your age and height?
There isn’t one ideal weight that can be determined from age and height alone. Genetics, sex, muscle mass, body composition, ethnicity, and health conditions all matter.
For most adults, BMI (body mass index) is a useful screening tool—not a perfect measure of health.
Adult BMI ranges
BMI General category
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5–24.9 Healthy weight
25.0–29.9 Overweight
30 or higher Obesity
BMI is calculated as:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²)
For example, a person who is 170 cm (1.70 m) tall has a BMI in the 18.5–24.9 range at approximately 53.5–72.0 kg (118–159 lb).
Does your ideal weight change as you get older?
Not in the simple way viral posts often suggest. There isn’t a medically established table saying, for example, “at 60 you should weigh X and at 70 you should weigh Y.”
For older adults, muscle mass becomes particularly important. Someone can have a “normal” BMI while having low muscle mass, while a muscular person can have a high BMI without having excessive body fat.
Unintentional weight loss in an older adult can actually be more concerning than being somewhat above an arbitrary “ideal” number.
If you want your personal range
Tell me your age, sex, height, and current weight, and I can calculate your BMI and show you the approximate healthy-weight range for your height.
