Find your healthy weight range based on height using Australian BMI guidelines (18.5–24.9) and multiple ideal body weight formulas.
A healthy weight is a weight that keeps your risk of weight-related health problems low for your height. The most common guide is a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. For example, someone 170 cm tall has a healthy weight range of about 54–72 kg. It is a range, not a single number, because healthy weight varies with build, muscle and age.
| Method | Ideal weight |
|---|
Your healthy weight range comes from the BMI formula, worked backwards. BMI is weight divided by height squared, so for any height you can find the weights that fall in the healthy 18.5–24.9 band.
This chart shows the healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) for common heights. It is the same for men and women, since BMI uses only height and weight.
| Height | Healthy Weight Range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| 155 cm (5'1") | 44–60 kg | 52 kg |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 47–64 kg | 55 kg |
| 165 cm (5'5") | 50–68 kg | 59 kg |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 54–72 kg | 63 kg |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 57–76 kg | 66 kg |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 60–81 kg | 70 kg |
| 185 cm (6'1") | 63–85 kg | 74 kg |
BMI is a useful starting point but it cannot tell muscle from fat or show where you carry weight. Waist circumference is a simple second check for health risk, because fat stored around the middle carries higher risk.
| Waist Measurement | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Increased risk | Over 94 cm | Over 80 cm |
| High risk | Over 102 cm | Over 88 cm |
Using BMI and waist together gives a fuller picture than either alone — someone can be in the healthy BMI range but still carry risky abdominal fat.
If you are outside your healthy range, gradual, sustainable change works better than crash diets. General, evidence-based approaches include:
If you have a large amount to lose, or any health conditions, speak with a GP or accredited dietitian for personalised advice.
The AIHW uses BMI 18.5–24.9 as the healthy weight range. However, waist circumference, muscle mass, and metabolic health are equally important indicators.
A healthy weight is not a single number but a range associated with lower risk of weight-related health conditions. In Australia, the AIHW and Better Health Channel use BMI (Body Mass Index) as the primary population-level screening tool, with BMI 18.5-24.9 defined as the healthy weight range for most adults. However, individual healthy weight varies based on height, sex, age, muscle mass, and ethnicity.
| Height | Healthy Weight Range | Overweight Starts |
|---|---|---|
| 155 cm (5'1") | 44 – 60 kg | 60 kg |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 47 – 64 kg | 64 kg |
| 165 cm (5'5") | 50 – 68 kg | 68 kg |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 54 – 72 kg | 72 kg |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 57 – 76 kg | 76 kg |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 60 – 81 kg | 81 kg |
| Formula | Men (175 cm) | Women (163 cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 70.5 kg | 56.8 kg |
| Robinson (1983) | 70.5 kg | 54.8 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 72.3 kg | 59.0 kg |
| BMI midpoint (21.7) | 66.4 kg | 57.7 kg |
What is a healthy weight for my height in Australia?
For adults, the AIHW-recognised healthy weight range corresponds to BMI 18.5-24.9. For a 170cm person: 54-72 kg. For 175cm: 57-76 kg. For 180cm: 60-81 kg. This range is a population-level guideline — individuals with high muscle mass (athletes) may be healthy above these ranges, and individual health factors matter beyond just a number.
Is BMI the best way to assess healthy weight?
BMI is a useful population screening tool but has limitations for individuals. It cannot distinguish muscle from fat — a muscular athlete and an obese person may have the same BMI. It also does not account for fat distribution (abdominal fat carries higher risk). The AIHW recommends using waist circumference alongside BMI for a more complete picture of health risk.
What waist circumference is healthy in Australia?
The Better Health Channel and AIHW cite: for men, waist circumference under 94 cm indicates low risk; 94-102 cm is increased risk; over 102 cm is substantially increased risk. For women: under 80 cm is low risk; 80-88 cm is increased risk; over 88 cm is substantially increased risk. Waist measurement reflects abdominal fat, which is more strongly linked to cardiovascular disease risk than BMI alone.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range?
Take your height in metres, square it, then multiply by 18.5 for the lower limit and 24.9 for the upper limit. For 1.75 m that is about 57–76 kg. The calculator above does this instantly and also shows results in kilograms and pounds.
Is a healthy weight the same for men and women?
The BMI-based healthy weight range is the same for men and women, because BMI only uses height and weight. However, at the same BMI men usually carry more muscle and women more body fat, so it is read alongside other measures like waist size.
What is the difference between healthy weight and ideal weight?
A healthy weight is a range from the BMI 18.5–24.9 guideline. "Ideal weight" usually refers to a single figure from older formulas (Devine, Robinson and others). The healthy weight range is broader and more widely used today; ideal-weight formulas give a rough target within it.
Can I be healthy outside the healthy weight range?
Sometimes. Very muscular people can have a high BMI while being lean and healthy, and some people below the range are naturally slim. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, so waist size, fitness and overall health matter too.
Why does the healthy weight range use BMI?
BMI is quick, free and needs only height and weight, which makes it practical for a general healthy-weight guide. Australian health bodies like the AIHW use the 18.5–24.9 band. Its limitation is that it cannot separate muscle from fat.
How much should I weigh for my height?
It depends on your height and build, but a healthy target is any weight within the BMI 18.5–24.9 range for your height — for example, roughly 60–81 kg at 180 cm. Enter your height in the calculator for your exact range.
How quickly can I safely lose weight?
A safe, sustainable rate is about 0.25–0.5 kg per week, achieved through a modest calorie reduction and regular activity. Faster loss is harder to maintain and can cost muscle. For larger goals, professional guidance helps you do it safely.