BMI Chart for Adults
The full World Health Organization BMI table, plus a height-by-height weight chart so you can find your own row without doing any math.
The BMI chart below is the standard one used in clinics across the United States. Read down the left column for your height, then follow the row across to find the weight that puts you in each category. The numbers assume an adult age 20 or older.
BMI categories
| BMI range | Category | Typical risk |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16.0 | Severely underweight | Very high |
| 16.0 – 18.4 | Underweight | Moderate |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal weight | Lowest |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight | Increased |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | Obese class I | High |
| 35.0 – 39.9 | Obese class II | Very high |
| 40.0 and above | Obese class III | Extremely high |
Healthy weight range by height
The table below gives the weight range that corresponds to a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 at each height. It is the same information as the chart above, expressed as pounds so you can find your own row at a glance.
| Height | Healthy weight (lb) | Healthy weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 95 – 128 | 43 – 58 |
| 5 ft 2 in | 104 – 136 | 47 – 62 |
| 5 ft 4 in | 110 – 145 | 50 – 66 |
| 5 ft 6 in | 118 – 155 | 53 – 70 |
| 5 ft 8 in | 125 – 164 | 57 – 74 |
| 5 ft 10 in | 132 – 174 | 60 – 79 |
| 6 ft 0 in | 140 – 184 | 63 – 83 |
| 6 ft 2 in | 148 – 194 | 67 – 88 |
| 6 ft 4 in | 156 – 205 | 71 – 93 |
Reading a chart correctly
Charts are a shortcut, not a substitute for the formula. If your height falls between two rows, or you want the exact range for your height, use the BMI calculator instead. It works to the inch and shows the pounds you would need to gain or lose to reach the normal range.
Why the boundaries sit where they do
The cut-offs come from studies that tracked large groups of people over decades and looked for the BMI range where death rates from all causes were lowest. That range turned out to be roughly 18.5 to 24.9 for adults of European descent. Later research found that people of Asian descent tend to develop type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a lower BMI, which is why some health agencies now use 23 as the upper limit of normal for those populations.
Muscle is the most common reason a chart gives a misleading answer. A 6 ft 1 in linebacker and a 6 ft 1 in office worker can share a BMI of 29 even though one carries a healthy amount of fat and the other does not. If you lift weights regularly, treat the chart as a loose guide and use a tape measure or body fat estimate alongside it.