What is a healthy weight?

A healthy weight is generally defined as a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. For a person 175 cm tall, this corresponds to approximately 56–76 kg. The exact range depends on height and, to a lesser extent, age and sex.

Is it possible to be healthy outside the healthy weight range?

Yes. BMI and weight-for-height formulas do not account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Some athletes are above the normal BMI range but have low body fat, while some people in the normal range have excess visceral fat.

How quickly should I try to reach a healthy weight?

A safe and sustainable rate is 0.5–1 kg per week. Faster loss risks muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and is harder to maintain long-term. Consult a healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Is my data sent to a server?

All calculations are pure JavaScript running in your browser. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Healthy weight calculator

A healthy weight is not a single number. It is a range. Enter your height and sex to see your healthy weight range using WHO BMI standards (18.5–24.9) alongside the Hamwi and Devine clinical formulas used in healthcare settings.

Sex

Height units

Height (cm)

How it works

Three formulas are calculated and shown simultaneously. Hamwi (1964): men 48 + 2.7 per inch over 5 ft; women 45.5 + 2.2 per inch over 5 ft. Devine (1974): men 50 + 2.3 per inch over 5 ft; women 45.5 + 2.3 per inch over 5 ft. WHO BMI range applies BMI 18.5–24.9 to height (m²) to give a weight range. Imperial inputs are converted to metric (1 ft = 30.48 cm, 1 in = 2.54 cm) before calculation. All arithmetic runs locally in your browser.

Processing runs in your browser

All calculations happen locally in your browser tab. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Technical specification

The Hamwi formula was published by G.J. Hamwi in Therapy: Changing Dietary Concepts (1964) and is widely used in clinical pharmacy. The Devine formula was published by B.J. Devine in Anaesthesia (1974) and is standard in drug dosing for renally cleared medications. The WHO BMI range (18.5–24.9) is derived from the WHO Technical Report Series 894 (2000) and is considered the most broadly evidence-based reference.

Hamwi formula: Hamwi, 1964, clinical rule of thumb
Devine formula: Devine, Anaesthesia, 1974
WHO BMI range: BMI 18.5–24.9 (WHO TRS 894, 2000)
Browser API: Pure JavaScript arithmetic. No library

Related operations

For a general weight category from height alone, try the BMI calculator. To measure body composition with circumference inputs, use the body fat calculator. For daily energy targets at a goal weight, see the calorie calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy weight?: A healthy weight is generally defined as a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. For a person 175 cm tall, this corresponds to approximately 56–76 kg. The exact range depends on height and, to a lesser extent, age and sex.
Is it possible to be healthy outside the healthy weight range?: Yes. BMI and weight-for-height formulas do not account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Some athletes are above the normal BMI range but have low body fat, while some people in the normal range have excess visceral fat.
How quickly should I try to reach a healthy weight?: A safe and sustainable rate is 0.5–1 kg per week. Faster loss risks muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and is harder to maintain long-term. Consult a healthcare professional for personalised guidance.
Is my data sent to a server?: All calculations are pure JavaScript running in your browser. Our servers are not involved at any point.