HEALTH · HEALTHY WEIGHT RANGE
Healthy Weight Range Calculator
Find the healthy weight range for your height using the WHO BMI normal band (18.5–24.9), with your position in the range and how much weight gain or loss would bring you within it.
About This Calculator
Enter your height in metric or imperial units to instantly see the lower and upper healthy-weight boundaries based on the WHO BMI normal band (18.5–24.9). Optionally enter your current weight to see where you fall in the range — in range, below, or above — and how many kilograms or pounds separate you from the nearest boundary.
How It Works
The healthy weight range at any height is the set of weights that produce a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 — the World Health Organization's "normal" band for adults. The lower bound uses BMI 18.5 and the upper bound uses BMI 24.9. Enter your current weight to see your position within or outside the band. Switch between metric and imperial units at any time; values convert automatically.
The Formula
w_low = 18.5 × h² w_high = 24.9 × h²
- w_low
- lower bound of the healthy weight range (kg)
- w_high
- upper bound of the healthy weight range (kg)
- h
- height in metres
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is healthy weight range the same as ideal body weight?
- Not exactly. The healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) is a broad population band that spans roughly a 35% weight spread for any given height. Ideal body weight formulas like Devine, Robinson, and Hamwi produce a single reference point — typically near the middle of this band — derived from clinical medication-dosing practice. The range is more useful for knowing whether you are within normal limits; the ideal-weight number is a specific clinical reference.
- Why does the calculator show a range rather than a single number?
- Because the WHO BMI normal band intentionally spans a range (BMI 18.5 to 24.9), not a single value. There is no single "correct" weight for a given height — body composition, bone density, and other factors all vary among healthy individuals. A range communicates that many weights are compatible with good health at a given height, and that the goal is to fall within the band rather than hit a precise target.
- What if my current weight is outside the range?
- The calculator shows how far outside the range you are and in which direction. This is informational context, not a prescription to gain or lose a specific amount. Many factors beyond the BMI scale — including fitness level, age, and body composition — affect health. A healthcare provider can give personalized guidance.
- Does this work for children and teenagers?
- No. This calculator uses the adult BMI formula. Children and adolescents (ages 2–19) use BMI-for-age percentile charts that account for normal growth-related changes in body fat. Consult a pediatrician for age-appropriate weight assessment.