Healthy weight range from height.
About this calculator
Shows the weight band corresponding to BMI 18.5–24.9 for your height — the WHO normal-weight range used by the NZ Ministry of Health. It is a healthy range, not a single target number, because a band of weights is healthy for any given height.
- Min weight = height² × 18.5 · Max weight = height² × 24.9.
- For a 175 cm adult that is about 56.7 to 76.3 kg.
- There is no one "ideal" weight — anywhere in the healthy band is fine.
- Muscle is denser than fat, so athletic builds can sit above the band and still be healthy.
Formula: Healthy weight = BMI(18.5 to 24.9) × height² (m)
Older formulas (Devine, Robinson, Hamwi) give a single "ideal body weight" number, but they were built for medication dosing, not health targets. A BMI-based healthy range is more realistic for everyday use.
Healthy weight range by height
The BMI 18.5–24.9 band converted to kilograms:
| Height | Healthy range (kg) |
|---|
| 160 cm | 47.4 – 63.7 |
| 170 cm | 53.5 – 71.9 |
| 175 cm | 56.7 – 76.3 |
| 180 cm | 59.9 – 80.7 |
| 190 cm | 66.8 – 89.9 |
Why a range, not a number
Two people of the same height can both be healthy at quite different weights depending on frame size, muscle mass and body composition. That is why public-health guidance describes a healthy band rather than a single ideal figure. Use the range as a sense-check, and pair it with waist measurement and the Body Fat calculator for a fuller picture.
Frequently asked questions
What is my ideal weight for my height?
Enter your height and the calculator returns the healthy weight band (BMI 18.5–24.9). For example, a 175 cm adult's healthy range is roughly 56.7–76.3 kg. Anywhere in that band is considered healthy.
Is "ideal weight" the same as the healthiest weight?
Not exactly. Body composition (muscle vs fat) and waist size matter too, so the BMI-based range is a starting point rather than a precise target.
Why do I get a range instead of one number?
Because a band of weights is healthy for any given height, depending on frame and muscle. Single-number "ideal weight" formulas were originally designed for medication dosing, not health goals.
Calculator NZ provides general information only. For decisions with significant financial, medical or legal consequence please consult a qualified professional.