Written in alignment with NHS England healthy weight guidance. For informational purposes only — consult your GP for personalised clinical assessment.
Ideal Weight by Height UK: The NHS Standard
The question "what is the ideal weight for my height?" is one of the most searched health queries in the UK — and the NHS answer is based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) framework: a healthy weight is one that produces a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Because BMI is calculated from both weight and height, there is no single "ideal weight" figure — instead, there is a range of healthy weights that varies based on your height.
The chart above and the calculator on this page provide the NHS-aligned healthy weight range for every common UK adult height from 150cm (4'11") to 195cm (6'5"). For the full BMI framework explanation, see our BMI formula explained with examples and how to calculate BMI step by step guides.
✅ The formula: Healthy weight range = BMI 18.5–24.9 × height(m)². At 170cm (1.7m): min = 18.5 × 1.7² = 53.5 kg; max = 24.9 × 1.7² = 71.9 kg. Use the calculator above for your personalised range, or our full Ideal Weight Calculator UK.
How to Use the NHS Ideal Weight by Height Chart
The chart and calculator on this page translate the NHS BMI framework into practical weight ranges for every height. Here is how to interpret your results:
- Healthy weight range: The range of weights corresponding to BMI 18.5–24.9. Being anywhere in this range is consistent with healthy weight status according to NHS and NICE clinical guidelines.
- Midpoint weight: The weight corresponding to approximately BMI 21.7 — the midpoint of the healthy range. This is often used as a practical "ideal" target for those who are overweight, but being at the upper or lower end of the healthy range is equally valid.
- Underweight threshold: The weight below which you are classified as underweight (BMI below 18.5). Being below this threshold for an extended period warrants GP assessment.
- Overweight threshold: The weight above which you are classified as overweight (BMI 25+). For most UK adults above this threshold, gradual lifestyle changes are advisable.
Ideal Weight by Height for Common UK Heights
Below are some of the most searched ideal weight questions for specific UK heights, with NHS-aligned answers:
Ideal Weight for 5'4" (163cm) UK
At 5'4" (163cm), the NHS healthy weight range is approximately 49.2–66.2 kg (7st 10lb–10st 6lb). The midpoint target is approximately 57.7 kg (9st 1lb). This applies to both men and women at this height — the NHS uses the same BMI thresholds regardless of sex.
Ideal Weight for 5'6" (168cm) UK
At 5'6" (168cm), the NHS healthy weight range is approximately 52.3–70.3 kg (8st 3lb–11st 1lb). The midpoint target is approximately 61.3 kg (9st 9lb).
Ideal Weight for 5'8" (173cm) UK
At 5'8" (173cm), the NHS healthy weight range is approximately 55.4–74.5 kg (8st 10lb–11st 10lb). The midpoint target is approximately 65.0 kg (10st 3lb).
Ideal Weight for 6'0" (183cm) UK
At 6'0" (183cm), the NHS healthy weight range is approximately 61.9–83.4 kg (9st 11lb–13st 2lb). The midpoint target is approximately 72.7 kg (11st 6lb).
For any height, use the calculator above or the chart for instant reference. You can also visualise what different weights look like at your BMI with our Visual BMI Calculator and BMI visualizer.
Key Caveats: When BMI-Based Ideal Weight Is Less Accurate
The BMI-based ideal weight range is a population-level screening tool — it works well for most adults but has documented limitations in specific groups:
- Adults of South Asian, Chinese, or other East Asian ethnicity: The NHS and NICE recommend lower BMI thresholds for these groups: healthy BMI 18.5–22.9, overweight from BMI 23, obese from BMI 27.5. This means the ideal weight range from the chart is slightly lower for these populations.
- People with very high muscle mass: Highly muscular individuals (athletes, regular resistance trainers) may have a BMI above 25 with very low body fat. For them, waist circumference and body fat percentage are more informative — see our BMI vs body fat percentage guide.
- Adults over 65: Some clinical guidance suggests BMI 25–27 may be protective for older adults against frailty and bone loss. The standard 18.5–24.9 range remains the NHS reference, but less aggressive weight reduction is often appropriate for older adults.
- Pregnant women: Standard BMI ranges should not be used to assess weight during pregnancy — NHS midwives use pre-pregnancy BMI to guide appropriate gestational weight gain. See our Pregnancy Due Date Calculator NHS.
If Your Weight Is Above the Ideal Range
If your current weight is above the healthy range for your height, the NHS recommends a gradual approach: 0.5–1 kg per week of weight loss through a combination of dietary changes and increased physical activity. This is a sustainable, evidence-based rate that preserves lean muscle and produces lasting fat loss. For a personalised timeline to reach your ideal weight range, see our NHS Weight Loss Calculator, how long to lose 10kg guide, and Calorie Deficit Calculator NHS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The NHS defines ideal weight as the range producing a BMI of 18.5–24.9. Common examples: 165cm: 50.4–67.8 kg (8st–10st 9lb); 170cm: 53.5–71.9 kg (8st 6lb–11st 4lb); 175cm: 56.7–76.3 kg (8st 13lb–12st 0lb). Use the calculator above or the chart on this page for your exact height. Also see our Ideal Weight Calculator UK and NHS Healthy BMI Range Calculator.
Ideal weight range = BMI 18.5–24.9 × height(m)². For example at 165cm (1.65m): minimum = 18.5 × 1.65² = 50.4 kg; maximum = 24.9 × 1.65² = 67.8 kg. The midpoint (BMI ~21.7) = 21.7 × 1.65² = 59.1 kg. The calculator on this page does this automatically. For the full formula explanation, see our BMI formula explained guide.
Common UK ideal weight ranges: 5'0" (152cm): 43–57kg; 5'4" (163cm): 49–66kg; 5'6" (168cm): 52–70kg; 5'8" (173cm): 55–75kg; 6'0" (183cm): 62–83kg. These are NHS-aligned healthy ranges (BMI 18.5–24.9). For South Asian, Chinese, or East Asian adults, the NHS recommends slightly lower thresholds. Use the calculator above for your exact personalised range, or see our full healthy weight range by height guide.
The NHS uses the same BMI-based healthy range (18.5–24.9) for both men and women at equivalent heights — so the weight range shown in the chart applies to both sexes. Men and women with identical height and BMI typically have different body compositions (women naturally have higher body fat percentage at equivalent BMI), but the numerical healthy weight range is the same. See our male BMI chart by age and female BMI chart by age for sex-specific BMI context.
At 5ft 4in (163cm), the NHS healthy weight range for a woman is approximately 49.2–66.2 kg (7st 10lb–10st 6lb). The midpoint target is approximately 57.7 kg (9st 1lb), corresponding to BMI ~21.7. If currently above this range, see our NHS Weight Loss Calculator for a personalised timeline to reach the healthy range at 0.5–1 kg/week.
You are underweight (BMI below 18.5) if you weigh less than 18.5 × height(m)²: at 155cm, below 44.4 kg; at 165cm, below 50.4 kg; at 170cm, below 53.5 kg; at 175cm, below 56.7 kg; at 180cm, below 59.9 kg. Being underweight carries health risks including nutritional deficiency, reduced bone density, and immune dysfunction. Anyone consistently underweight should speak to their GP. See our healthy weight gain guide for NHS-aligned advice.
The NHS BMI thresholds (18.5–24.9 healthy) do not change with age for UK adults — the ideal weight range for any given height remains consistent throughout adulthood. However, the clinical interpretation may differ slightly for adults over 65, where a BMI up to 27 may be considered acceptable due to protective effects against frailty. For adults 18–65, the standard 18.5–24.9 range and its corresponding weight ranges apply. See the male and female BMI by age guides for age-specific context.