BMI ignores muscle and fat distribution, so the weight at a target BMI may not be the right weight for you. Rapid weight change is not advisable, and a clinician can help set a safe pace. The tool is for adults.
Health depends on more than weight.
Enter your height in feet and inches, your current weight in pounds and the BMI you want to reach. A target of 24.9 is the top of the healthy range, and 18.5 the bottom. The weight at a given BMI is BMI times height squared divided by 703.
Use a target that is realistic for your body and health, ideally chosen with a clinician, since a BMI is a screening number, not a personal goal.
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: formula
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: worked example
| Height (feet) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Height (extra inches) | 9 |
| Current weight (lb) | 195 |
| Target BMI | 24.9 |
| Weight at the target BMI (lb) | 168.6 |
| Pounds to lose (negative means gain) | 26.4 |
| Current BMI | 28.8 |
Common error: Treating the target as a goal for everyone. BMI ignores muscle and frame, so the right weight for you can sit above or below it.
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: changing Height (feet)
| Height (feet) | Weight at the target BMI (lb) | Pounds to lose (negative means gain) | Current BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 71.7 | 123.3 | 67.7 |
| 4 | 115.1 | 79.9 | 42.2 |
| 5 (example) | 168.6 | 26.4 | 28.8 |
| 6 | 232.4 | -37.4 | 20.9 |
| 7 | 306.3 | -111.3 | 15.8 |
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: compare input ranges
| Input | Tested from | To | Weight at the target BMI (lb): low input | Weight at the target BMI (lb): high input | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height (feet) | 4 | 6 | 115.1 | 232.4 | 117.3 (70%) |
| Target BMI | 22 | 27 | 149 | 182.9 | 33.9 (20%) |
| Height (extra inches) | 8 | 10 | 163.8 | 173.6 | 9.8 (5.8%) |
| Current weight (lb) | 176 | 215 | 168.6 | 168.6 | 0 |
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: individual input comparisons
| Input | Value | Weight at the target BMI (lb) | Pounds to lose (negative means gain) | Current BMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height (feet) | 3 | 71.7 | 123.3 | 67.7 |
| 4 | 115.1 | 79.9 | 42.2 | |
| 5 | 168.6 | 26.4 | 28.8 | |
| 6 | 232.4 | -37.4 | 20.9 | |
| 7 | 306.3 | -111.3 | 15.8 | |
| Height (extra inches) | 7 | 159 | 36 | 30.5 |
| 8 | 163.8 | 31.2 | 29.6 | |
| 9 | 168.6 | 26.4 | 28.8 | |
| 10 | 173.6 | 21.4 | 28 | |
| 11 | 178.6 | 16.4 | 27.2 | |
| Current weight (lb) | 156 | 168.6 | -12.6 | 23 |
| 176 | 168.6 | 7.4 | 26 | |
| 195 | 168.6 | 26.4 | 28.8 | |
| 215 | 168.6 | 46.4 | 31.7 | |
| 234 | 168.6 | 65.4 | 34.6 | |
| Target BMI | 20 | 135.4 | 59.6 | 28.8 |
| 22 | 149 | 46 | 28.8 | |
| 25 | 169.3 | 25.7 | 28.8 | |
| 27 | 182.9 | 12.1 | 28.8 | |
| 30 | 203.2 | -8.2 | 28.8 |
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: combined input changes
| Height (feet) / Height (extra inches) | 7 | 9 | 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 65.5 | 71.7 | 78.2 |
| 4 | 107.1 | 115.1 | 123.3 |
| 5 | 159 | 168.6 | 178.6 |
| 6 | 221.1 | 232.4 | 244 |
| 7 | 293.3 | 306.3 | 319.7 |
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: which assumptions move the result?
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: values and definitions
| Quantity and definition | Value used |
|---|---|
| Height (feet) | 5 |
| Height (extra inches) | 9 |
| Current weight (lb) | 195 |
| Target BMI — 24.9 is the top of the standard healthy range. Adults can use 18.5 to 24.9. | 24.9 |
| Weight at the target BMI (lb) | 168.6 |
| Pounds to lose (negative means gain) | 26.4 |
| Current BMI | 28.8 |
Weight to Reach a Target BMI: half and double Height (feet)
| Height (feet) | Weight at the target BMI (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 | 53.9 |
| 5 | 168.6 |
| 10 | 589.4 |
Body Composition calculators: BMI Calculator, Body Fat Percentage Calculator, Ideal Weight Calculator, Lean Body Mass Calculator, Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator, Body Surface Area Calculator.
At a fixed height, each BMI corresponds to a weight. Subtracting current weight from target weight gives the modeled change. At 5 feet 9 inches, a BMI of 24.9 is about 168.6 pounds.
Someone at 195 pounds has a BMI near 28.8, roughly 26 pounds above that. The distance is a useful measure of scale, not a prescription.
Compare the target with the healthy range for your height and talk to a clinician about the pace. A number of pounds is not a plan.
Check your BMI on the BMI calculator and the range on the healthy weight range page. The calorie goal and weight loss time calculators plan the change, and the protein page protects muscle. Body fat and waist-to-hip measurements give a fuller picture.
Do I need to reach a healthy BMI to see health benefits?
No. Losing even 5% to 10% of body weight can improve blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol for people who are above a healthy weight.
Is BMI a good target?
It is a useful reference, but body composition, fitness and health markers matter, so use it together with other measures.
How fast should I lose the weight?
Most guidelines suggest 1 to 2 pounds a week at most, and slower is often easier to sustain and better for keeping muscle.