Ideal Weight Calculator
Enter your height to see a reference standard weight, based on a BMI of 22.
For reference only.
How to use the Ideal Weight Calculator
- Enter your height in the Height (cm) box in centimetres, so 170 means 170 cm.
- Press Calculate. Nothing else on the panel needs to be set first.
- Read the result in kilograms. It is the weight giving a body mass index of 22 at that height.
Why the reference point is a BMI of 22
The whole calculation is height in metres squared, multiplied by 22. A BMI of 22 sits near the middle of the range health bodies call normal, which runs from 18.5 to 24.9. The midpoint gives one tidy figure, but the entire band carries the same classification.
| Height | Weight at BMI 22 |
|---|---|
| 150 cm | 49.5 kg |
| 160 cm | 56.3 kg |
| 170 cm | 63.6 kg |
| 180 cm | 71.3 kg |
| 190 cm | 79.4 kg |
What a height-only formula cannot see
Height is the sole input, so the answer knows nothing about frame size, muscle mass, age or sex. Two people of the same height with very different builds get the same number, and anyone carrying a lot of muscle reads high on any BMI figure.
Frequently asked questions
Which formula is used?
A BMI of 22 is treated as the reference point, so the calculation is 22 multiplied by height in metres squared.
Should this be my goal weight?
Not necessarily. It is a single reference number that ignores build, muscle mass and body composition, all of which vary a lot between individuals.
Can I enter feet and inches?
No, the box expects centimetres. Multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add them. Five foot ten works out at 177.8 cm.
Does the answer differ for men and women?
No. There is no sex option and the formula uses height alone. Some older reference formulas apply different constants by sex; this one does not.
How do I calculate my actual BMI?
Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. At 170 cm and 70 kg that is 70 divided by 2.89, which is about 24.2.