Find your healthy weight range by height. This table covers men from 5'4" (163 cm) to 6'4" (193 cm) using WHO BMI classifications — underweight, normal, overweight, and obese.
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²). For example, a man who is 180 cm tall and weighs 80 kg has a BMI of 80 ÷ 3.24 = 24.7 — well within the normal range.
The WHO defines normal weight as a BMI of 18.5–24.9. The boundaries in this chart are exact: the normal column is the weight range that produces a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 at that height.
Quick formula check: To calculate your own BMI, divide your weight in kg by your height in metres squared. Or use our health dashboard to get your BMI and 6 other metrics instantly.
BMI for Men: What the Research Says
Large studies consistently show that men with BMI in the 18.5–24.9 range have the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. However, BMI is an imperfect tool for men specifically because:
Muscle mass: Men carry more lean mass than women. A muscular man can have a BMI of 27 while carrying very little body fat. The chart would label him "overweight" even though his health risk is low.
Waist circumference matters too: Men with a waist above 94 cm (37 in) face elevated cardiometabolic risk regardless of BMI. Above 102 cm (40 in) risk rises substantially.
Age shifts: After 40, men naturally gain fat and lose muscle, so BMI can underestimate risk in older men at the same BMI value.
Note: BMI is a population screening tool, not a personal health verdict. Use it alongside waist circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, and blood markers for a complete picture.
Average BMI for Men by Age (US)
Age group
Average BMI
Average weight (5'9" / 175 cm)
20–29
26.5
~78 kg / ~172 lbs
30–39
27.5
~81 kg / ~179 lbs
40–49
28.2
~83 kg / ~183 lbs
50–59
28.6
~84 kg / ~186 lbs
60–69
28.8
~85 kg / ~187 lbs
Source: NHANES data (CDC). The average adult American man is overweight by WHO standards. Being average is not the same as being healthy.
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Dariusz is a software developer and fitness enthusiast who built BMI Tracker to make evidence-based health metrics accessible without the noise of modern wellness apps. The formulas and reference ranges on this site are sourced from WHO guidelines, CDC public health data, and peer-reviewed research.
How to Read This BMI Chart
Find your height in the left column and read across to find the weight range for each BMI category. All weight ranges are in both kilograms and pounds. The WHO thresholds used are the universal adult standards applicable to men 18 and over.
Important context for men using BMI charts:
Muscle mass: Men with significant muscle development from strength training or physical labour may fall into the "overweight" category despite having healthy or low body fat. BMI cannot distinguish muscle from fat
Age: Men over 60 tend to have lower muscle mass at any given BMI compared to younger men — a BMI of 24 at 65 represents more body fat than the same BMI at 35
Waist circumference: Use alongside this chart. Men with waist above 94 cm have elevated cardiometabolic risk regardless of BMI; above 102 cm indicates substantially elevated risk
BMI vs Healthy Weight for Men: What the Numbers Mean
The "normal weight" BMI range (18.5–24.9) corresponds to different actual weight ranges depending on height. A 6-foot (183 cm) man has a healthy weight range of approximately 63–83 kg — a 20 kg span. A 5'8" (173 cm) man's healthy range is roughly 56–74 kg. The chart above shows these ranges at each height increment.
For men specifically, the research on optimal BMI shows the lowest all-cause mortality in the 22–25 range — the upper portion of the "normal" category. Very lean BMI (below 20) is associated with increased mortality risk in men, particularly related to infection susceptibility and post-illness recovery. This is distinct from intentional athletic leanness, which typically comes with high fitness levels that offset other risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The WHO defines healthy BMI as 18.5–24.9 for all adults, including men. Research suggests optimal BMI for men (associated with lowest mortality) is approximately 22–25. A BMI above 25 is classified overweight; above 30 is obese. These thresholds apply regardless of age, though muscle mass considerations mean the number requires more context in muscular individuals.
Not necessarily. A BMI of 26 falls just into the overweight range, but the health implications depend heavily on context. A muscular man with a BMI of 26 and a waist circumference of 86 cm has a very different risk profile from a sedentary man with the same BMI and a waist of 102 cm. Check waist circumference alongside BMI for a more complete picture.
The WHO defines increased risk for men as waist above 94 cm (37 inches), and substantially increased risk above 102 cm (40 inches). These thresholds apply regardless of height or BMI. Waist circumference is particularly informative for men because men tend to accumulate abdominal (visceral) fat disproportionately, which is more metabolically dangerous than subcutaneous fat.
The WHO uses the same thresholds for both sexes. However, men and women at the same BMI have different body compositions — men typically carry less body fat at equivalent BMI due to greater muscle mass. A woman with BMI 24 will generally have higher body fat than a man with BMI 24. This doesn't change the clinical thresholds but is relevant when interpreting body fat percentage alongside BMI.
For a man at 183 cm (6'0"), a BMI of 25 corresponds to approximately 84 kg (185 lbs). The healthy weight range at this height is 62–83 kg (137–183 lbs). Above 83 kg is technically overweight; above 100 kg (BMI 30) is obese. These thresholds are the same for men and women at the same height.
BMI significantly overestimates fat in men with substantial muscle mass. A recreational gym-goer may be 5–10% overestimated in terms of fat; an elite strength athlete could have a BMI of 30+ while having very low body fat. For muscular men, body fat percentage and waist circumference are more informative than BMI. The calculator on this site estimates body fat alongside BMI — compare the two.