Free adult BMI chart with healthy weight ranges by height. See your category, understand limitations, and calculate your BMI instantly.

💪 BMI Chart for Adults: What's a Healthy Weight?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the fastest way to screen for weight-related health risks. It's not perfect — but for most US adults, it's a useful starting point. Here's a complete BMI chart by height, with the healthy weight range you should target.

🎯 Quick Answer

A healthy BMI for US adults is 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese. Calculate yours in 5 seconds with the BMI Calculator.

📊 Adult BMI Categories (CDC)

BMI Range	Category	Health Risk
Below 18.5	Underweight	Moderate
18.5 – 24.9	Normal weight	Low
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+	Obese Class III	Extreme

📏 BMI Chart by Height (US Standard)

Here's what each BMI category translates to in pounds at various heights:

Height	Healthy (18.5–24.9)	Overweight (25–29.9)	Obese (30+)
5'0"	95–127 lb	128–153 lb	154+ lb
5'2"	104–135 lb	136–163 lb	164+ lb
5'4"	110–144 lb	145–174 lb	175+ lb
5'6"	118–154 lb	155–186 lb	187+ lb
5'8"	125–164 lb	165–197 lb	198+ lb
5'10"	132–173 lb	174–208 lb	209+ lb
6'0"	140–183 lb	184–220 lb	221+ lb
6'2"	148–193 lb	194–232 lb	233+ lb
6'4"	156–204 lb	205–245 lb	246+ lb

Find your exact healthy weight range with the BMI Calculator — it shows your category, healthy range, and a visual scale.

⚠️ BMI Limitations You Should Know

💪 Athletes

Muscle weighs more than fat. NFL players often have BMI 30+ while being extremely healthy.

👴 Older Adults

Muscle loss with age means BMI can underestimate body fat in seniors.

🧬 Different Body Types

BMI ignores frame size, ethnicity, and where fat is stored (belly vs hips).

🤰 Pregnancy

BMI is not valid during pregnancy. Use your doctor's guidance instead.

🎯 Better Health Metrics to Track

Waist circumference — Under 40" for men, 35" for women (US guidelines)
Body fat percentage — More accurate than BMI for most people
Waist-to-height ratio — Keep waist under half your height
Resting heart rate — 60–100 bpm is normal; athletes 40–60
Blood pressure — Under 120/80 mmHg is ideal
Blood work — A1C, cholesterol, fasting glucose

💡 BMI Is a Starting Point — Not a Diagnosis

BMI can't distinguish muscle from fat, or tell you where fat is stored. A "normal" BMI doesn't guarantee health — and a slightly "overweight" BMI can still be healthy if you're active and have good metabolic markers. Use it as one signal, not the whole story.

❓ FAQ

What is a healthy BMI for adults?

For most US adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.

Is BMI accurate for everyone?

No. BMI is less accurate for athletes, older adults, pregnant women, and certain ethnic groups. For a complete health picture, combine BMI with body fat percentage, waist measurement, and blood work.

What if my BMI is "overweight" but I'm healthy?

This is common for muscular people. If you exercise regularly, eat well, and have good blood work, a slightly elevated BMI isn't necessarily a problem. Talk to your doctor about your full picture.

Does BMI differ for men and women?

The formula is the same, but healthy ranges are identical. However, women naturally carry more essential body fat than men — so body fat percentage ranges differ.