Normal BMI by age and sex is the same for every adult: a body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9 counts as a healthy weight, whether you are a 25-year-old woman or a 70-year-old man. Only children and teens get a different chart, because their BMI is compared with other kids of the same age and sex. This guide gives you the adult chart, a height and weight table, the percentile ranges for kids, and the cases where the standard numbers need a second look.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 40.3% of U.S. adults had obesity between August 2021 and August 2023, and 9.4% had severe obesity. Knowing where your number falls, and what it can and cannot tell you, is a useful first step before you set any goal.
Normal BMI Chart for Adults
The CDC adult BMI categories apply to everyone age 20 and older, with the same ranges for every age, sex, and race. BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared.
| Category | BMI (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 to 29.9 |
| Obesity, class 1 | 30.0 to 34.9 |
| Obesity, class 2 | 35.0 to 39.9 |
| Obesity, class 3 (severe) | 40.0 or higher |
The CDC calls BMI a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It is one health indicator that should be weighed alongside your blood pressure, blood sugar, waist size, and family history.
Jump to: Chart | Height and Weight | By Age | Children and Teens | Men and Women | Older Adults | Asian Adults | Limits of BMI | Food and Habits | FAQ
Healthy Weight Range by Height
You can read your category straight from your height and weight. The table below applies the adult BMI formula (weight in pounds times 703, divided by height in inches squared) and rounds to whole pounds, so each row lines up with the cutoffs in the chart above.
| Height | Underweight | Healthy weight | Overweight | Obesity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10” | Under 89 lb | 89 to 119 lb | 120 to 143 lb | 144 lb or more |
| 5’0″ | Under 95 lb | 95 to 128 lb | 129 to 153 lb | 154 lb or more |
| 5’2″ | Under 102 lb | 102 to 136 lb | 137 to 164 lb | 165 lb or more |
| 5’4″ | Under 108 lb | 108 to 145 lb | 146 to 174 lb | 175 lb or more |
| 5’6″ | Under 115 lb | 115 to 154 lb | 155 to 185 lb | 186 lb or more |
| 5’8″ | Under 122 lb | 122 to 164 lb | 165 to 197 lb | 198 lb or more |
| 5’10” | Under 129 lb | 129 to 174 lb | 175 to 209 lb | 210 lb or more |
| 6’0″ | Under 137 lb | 137 to 184 lb | 185 to 221 lb | 222 lb or more |
| 6’2″ | Under 145 lb | 145 to 194 lb | 195 to 233 lb | 234 lb or more |
| 6’4″ | Under 152 lb | 152 to 205 lb | 206 to 246 lb | 247 lb or more |
Two people of the same height can land in the same row and still look and feel very different. Muscle, bone structure, and where you carry fat all change what a number means, which the section on limits covers below. For every height from 4’10” to 6’4″ plus formula-based estimates, see the ideal weight chart by height and age.
Normal BMI by Age
There is no separate normal BMI for your 30s, 50s, or 70s. The healthy range stays at 18.5 to 24.9 for all adults. What changes with age is how many people sit above it. The NCHS data below show obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) and severe obesity (40 or higher) by age group and sex.
| Age group | Obesity, men | Obesity, women | Severe obesity, men | Severe obesity, women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 39 | 34.3% | 36.8% | 6.1% | 13.0% |
| 40 to 59 | 45.4% | 47.4% | 9.2% | 14.7% |
| 60 and older | 38.0% | 39.6% | 4.3% | 8.4% |
Obesity peaks between 40 and 59, at 46.4% of all adults, then dips to 38.9% after 60. Whatever your age, the target does not move, but the effort to stay inside it often grows as muscle mass declines and daily activity drops.
BMI for Children and Teens
Kids are still growing, so a fixed number would mislead. For ages 2 to 19, the CDC child and teen BMI categories compare your child’s BMI with other children of the same age and sex and report it as a percentile.
| Category | BMI-for-age percentile |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below the 5th percentile |
| Healthy weight | 5th to below the 85th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th to below the 95th percentile |
| Obesity | 95th percentile or higher |
| Severe obesity | 120% of the 95th percentile or higher, or a BMI of 35 or more |
A child at the 60th percentile is heavier than 60 out of 100 children of the same age and sex, which is healthy. Percentiles shift as kids grow, so one reading matters less than the trend. Do not use the adult chart for your child. Bring any concern to a pediatrician, who can read the number alongside growth, puberty, and family history.
Normal BMI for Men and Women
The cutoffs are identical for men and women. The difference lies in what sits behind the number. Cleveland Clinic notes that BMI uses one formula for both sexes even though adult women may carry more body fat than adult men at the same BMI. That is a normal difference in physiology, not a sign that women need a lower target.
The NCHS figures show a gap at the high end: 12.1% of women have severe obesity compared with 6.7% of men, while obesity overall is close (41.3% of women, 39.2% of men). Because BMI cannot show where fat sits, pair it with a waist measurement. The normal waist-to-hip ratio chart explains the cutoffs for men and women separately.
BMI for Older Adults
After 65, the standard chart gets less reliable. Cleveland Clinic lists people over 65 among those for whom the standard BMI chart likely should not be used to estimate body fat. Older adults tend to lose height and muscle, so the same BMI can describe a very different body than it does at 30.
Research also suggests that the lowest-risk range may sit a little higher than for younger adults. A Singapore study of older adults and mortality found a U-shaped pattern, and being overweight was not linked to more deaths overall in that group. The study was small and its heart-disease estimates were imprecise, so treat it as a reason to ask your doctor about a personal target, not as permission to gain weight. For older adults, losing weight without trying is often a bigger warning sign than a BMI of 26.
BMI for Asian Adults
Health risks can start at a lower BMI in people of Asian descent. In 2004 the World Health Organization recommended lowering the cutoffs for Asian adults to 23 for overweight and 27.5 for obesity. A study of Asian American adults and diabetes risk found that Chinese, Filipino, and South Asian adults had higher rates of prediabetes and diabetes than White adults in every weight category, with the gap widest at a healthy BMI. The 23 cutoff is also the one the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Diabetes Association use to recommend diabetes screening for Asian Americans.
If you are of Asian descent and your BMI is above 23, ask your doctor about a blood sugar check even when the standard chart calls your weight healthy. The same logic applies to your numbers elsewhere, such as the normal triglyceride levels by age chart.
What BMI Does Not Tell You
BMI is quick, free, and good for tracking groups of people. For one person it has clear blind spots:
- Muscle counts as weight. A strength athlete can have a BMI above 25 with low body fat.
- Fat location is invisible. Belly fat carries more risk than fat on the thighs, and two people with the same BMI can differ here.
- Normal weight can still carry risk. Low muscle and high body fat can sit inside the 18.5 to 24.9 range.
- Lifestyle is ignored. Family history, fitness level, and eating habits all shape risk.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute adds a simple second check: a waist measurement of more than 35 inches for women or more than 40 inches for men raises your risk. Measure just above the hipbones after you breathe out. Using BMI and waist size together gives a much clearer picture than either one alone. The normal waist size chart for women and men adds the lower cutoffs for Asian adults, and the waist to height ratio chart gives a waist limit for every height.
Food and Habits That Move Your BMI
You do not need a dramatic change to see benefits. According to the NHLBI, health professionals recommend losing 5% to 10% of your starting weight over about 6 months. A loss of 3% to 5% can lower triglycerides and blood sugar, and losing more than that can improve blood pressure readings and cholesterol. For a 200-pound adult, 5% is 10 pounds. That is why a goal built on realistic weight loss goals works better than chasing a number on the chart.
These habits do most of the work:
- Fill half of each plate with vegetables and fruit
- Include a protein source at every meal
- Choose whole grains and legumes over refined starches
- Limit sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks
- Walk daily and add two days of strength training
To put those habits on a plate, start with the 40 high protein snacks list for between-meal hunger, or follow the 7-day meal plan for men over 40. Women in midlife can use the guide to foods that help with menopause weight gain. If you track progress on a scale, the advice on how often you should weigh yourself keeps daily swings from derailing you. Blood pressure often falls as BMI does, so check it against the normal blood pressure by age chart every few months.
Frequently Asked Questions About BMI by Age
What is a normal BMI for my age?
For any adult age 20 or older, a normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. The ranges do not change by age or sex. Children and teens from 2 to 19 are rated by BMI-for-age percentile instead, with the healthy range running from the 5th to below the 85th percentile.
Is a BMI of 26 bad?
A BMI of 26 falls in the overweight range, but it is a small step above the cutoff and not a diagnosis. Look at your waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. If those are healthy, a BMI of 26 may carry little added risk, especially if you carry muscle or are over 65.
Is BMI different for women than for men?
No. The chart is the same for both sexes. Women tend to carry more body fat at the same BMI, so a waist measurement or waist-to-hip ratio is a helpful addition.
What is a healthy BMI for a 60-year-old or older adult?
The standard 18.5 to 24.9 range is still the official chart for adults of any age. For people over 65 it is less precise, so a doctor may accept a slightly higher number if you are strong, active, and your tests are healthy. Unplanned weight loss deserves attention at any age.
Why is my BMI high when I am muscular?
BMI cannot tell muscle from fat. A lean, muscular person can land in the overweight range with low body fat. A waist measurement or a body fat test will show what BMI cannot.
Is a lower BMI cutoff used for Asian adults?
Yes, in many guidelines. The WHO suggests 23 for overweight and 27.5 for obesity in Asian adults, and U.S. diabetes screening advice uses 23 for Asian Americans. If you fit this group, ask your doctor which cutoffs apply to you.
The Bottom Line
A normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 for every adult, with percentile charts only for kids and teens. Use the height and weight table to find your category, then check your waist size and lab numbers before you draw conclusions. If you want to move your BMI, a steady 5% to 10% loss through food, walking, and strength work is a realistic start, and your doctor can help you set a target that fits your age, body, and background.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor to interpret your BMI and to decide on a weight goal that is right for you.
