Ideal Weight for 5'6" (168 cm)
A healthy adult weight at 5'6" is 115–154 lb (52–70 kg), based on BMI 18.5–24.9. Ideal body weight formulas average 131 lb for women and 141 lb for men.
Ideal weight for 5'6" by formula (lb)
| Formula | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 131 | 141 |
| Robinson (1983) | 131 | 140 |
| Miller (1983) | 135 | 143 |
| Hamwi (1964) | 129 | 142 |
| Average | 131 | 141 |
Each formula adds a fixed amount per inch over 5 feet. They were built for drug dosing and from historical height–weight tables, so treat the result as a reference point, not a target you must hit.
BMI at 5'6" by weight (lb)
| Weight (lb) | BMI | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 14.5 | Underweight |
| 100 | 16.1 | Underweight |
| 110 | 17.8 | Underweight |
| 120 | 19.4 | Healthy |
| 130 | 21 | Healthy |
| 140 | 22.6 | Healthy |
| 150 | 24.2 | Healthy |
| 160 | 25.8 | Overweight |
| 170 | 27.4 | Overweight |
| 180 | 29.1 | Overweight |
| 190 | 30.7 | Obesity class 1 |
| 200 | 32.3 | Obesity class 1 |
| 210 | 33.9 | Obesity class 1 |
| 220 | 35.5 | Obesity class 2 |
| 230 | 37.1 | Obesity class 2 |
| 240 | 38.7 | Obesity class 2 |
| 250 | 40.4 | Obesity class 3 |
Standard adult BMI cut-offs (18+). They do not apply to children and teenagers.
What is a healthy weight for 5'6"?
For an adult who is 5'6" (168 cm), a healthy weight is 115–154 lb (52–70 kg), which is a BMI of 18.5–24.9. The same BMI range applies to men and women.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'6" woman?
The four common ideal body weight formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) average 131 lb for a woman who is 5'6". The BMI-based healthy range is 115–154 lb.
How much should a 5'6" man weigh?
The four formulas average 141 lb for a man who is 5'6"; the BMI-based healthy range is 115–154 lb. Muscular people can be healthy above this range.
When is someone 5'6" overweight?
Above 154 lb is in the overweight range (BMI 25–29.9), and above 185 lb is in the obesity range (BMI 30 or more).
Nearby heights
References
- CDC — Adult BMI Categories
- Pai MP, Paloucek FP. The origin of the "ideal" body weight equations. Ann Pharmacother. 2000;34(9):1066–9.
- Peterson CM et al. Universal equation for estimating ideal body weight. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(5):1197–203.
Educational estimates for adults only; not a substitute for medical advice. Adult BMI cut-offs do not apply to children and teenagers.