Quick answer: At 170 cm (1.70 m), the healthy weight range is 18.5 × 1.70² to 24.9 × 1.70², or about 53.5 to 72.0 kg.
How it's calculated
The range comes from the WHO adult BMI classification: a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is normal weight. Turning BMI around gives weight = BMI × height (m)², so the range is 18.5 × height² to 24.9 × height². In pounds: BMI × height (in)² ÷ 703. Some calculators use 25 as the upper limit, so their top weight is about 0.1 × height² higher (0.3 kg at 1.75 m).
A WHO expert consultation found that in Asian populations health risks can rise at lower BMI, and proposed 23 and 27.5 as extra action points. That matters in the Gulf, where many residents are of South Asian origin.
The range is wide on purpose and says nothing about where on your body the weight sits, how much is muscle, or your blood pressure and blood sugar. Waist size and a check-up tell you more. To see your own BMI, use the BMI calculator; for single-number estimates, see the ideal weight calculator.
Worked examples
- 170 cm: 18.5 × 1.70² = 53.5 kg to 24.9 × 1.70² = 72.0 kg
- 160 cm: 47.4 to 63.7 kg
- 5 ft 7 in (67 in): 18.5 × 67² ÷ 703 = 118.1 lb to 159.0 lb
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for my height?
Any weight that gives a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9. The calculator shows it in kg or lb for your exact height.
Is the same range used for women and men?
Yes. The adult BMI range is the same for both sexes. Body composition differs, which BMI does not capture.
Does this apply to children?
No. Children and teenagers use BMI-for-age percentiles from growth charts.
I am very muscular. Is the range right for me?
Probably not. Muscle weighs more than fat, so athletes can sit above the range while lean. A body fat measurement is more useful.
Does the range change with age?
The WHO adult range is the same from age 20 onward. Some doctors accept a slightly higher BMI in older adults, so ask yours if you are over 65.
How do I work out the range in pounds?
Multiply each BMI limit by your height in inches squared, then divide by 703. At 67 inches that gives 18.5 × 67² ÷ 703 to 24.9 × 67² ÷ 703, or about 118 to 160 lb.