Answer first
What this calculator tells you
Find the weight that matches a target BMI at your height and how far you are from it. See the distance to a BMI target in pounds, then set a plan with your clinician. Formula: Target weight (lb) = target BMI × height (in)² ÷ 703; change = current weight − target weight. At the worked-example inputs, the weight at the target BMI (lb) is 168.6. Holding every other input steady, moving height (feet) from 3 to 7 moves the result from 71.7 to 306.3.
Transparent method
The formula
See the distance to a BMI target in pounds, then set a plan with your clinician.
Worked example
Example inputs
How to interpret the result
A BMI target translates into a weight at a given height, and this page shows the gap between where you are and where the target sits. 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.
At the worked-example inputs the weight at the target BMI (lb) is 168.6. It rises with height (feet), target BMI and height (extra inches); current weight (lb) does not move it.
These are population-based formulas, not diagnoses. Frame size, muscle mass, ethnicity and other factors these formulas do not measure can shift what is healthy for a given person. Consult a healthcare provider for individual guidance.
Before you rely on it
What to check
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.
The common error
Where people go wrong with weight to reach a target BMI calculator
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.
Sensitivity evidence
How height (feet) changes the weight at the target BMI (lb)
Holding every other input at the worked-example value, moving height (feet) from 3 to 7 moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 71.7 to 306.3: a spread of 234.6, or 139% of the worked-example result.
| 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 |
| 5worked example | 168.6 | 26.4 | 28.8 |
| 6 | 232.4 | -37.4 | 20.9 |
| 7 | 306.3 | -111.3 | 15.8 |
Every input, tested
Which input moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) most
Of the 4 inputs, height (feet) moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) most (117.3 across the range tested) and height (extra inches) moves it least (9.8). Current weight (lb) does not change it at all.
| Input | Tested from | To | Weight at the target BMI (lb) at each end | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height (feet) | 4 | 6 | 115.1 to 232.4 | 117.3 (70%) |
| Target BMI | 22 | 27 | 149 to 182.9 | 33.9 (20%) |
| Height (extra inches) | 8 | 10 | 163.8 to 173.6 | 9.8 (5.8%) |
| Current weight (lb) | 176 | 215 | 168.6 to 168.6 | none |
Two variables at once
Weight at the target BMI (lb) by height (feet) and height (extra inches)
Across the grid the weight at the target BMI (lb) runs from 65.5 to 319.7. Moving height (feet) from 3 to 7 shifts it by 234.6 at the middle column, and moving height (extra inches) from 7 to 11 shifts it by 19.6 at the middle row, so height (feet) is the bigger lever here.
| 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 |
The highlighted cell is the worked example: 168.6.
Step by step
The worked example, input by input
| Input | Value used | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Height (feet) | 5 | Enter the height (feet) used in this calculation. |
| Height (extra inches) | 9 | Enter the height (extra inches) used in this calculation. |
| Current weight (lb) | 195 | Enter the current weight (lb) used in this calculation. |
| Target BMI | 24.9 | 24.9 is the top of the standard healthy range. Adults can use 18.5 to 24.9. |
| Weight at the target BMI (lb) | 168.6 | |
| Pounds to lose (negative means gain) | 26.4 | |
| Current BMI | 28.8 | |
Inputs, definitions and assumptions
Height (feet)
Enter the height (feet) used in this calculation. The prefilled worked-example value is 5.
Height (extra inches)
Enter the height (extra inches) used in this calculation. The prefilled worked-example value is 9.
Current weight (lb)
Enter the current weight (lb) used in this calculation. The prefilled worked-example value is 195.
Target BMI
24.9 is the top of the standard healthy range. Adults can use 18.5 to 24.9. The prefilled worked-example value is 24.9.
How to use this calculator
- 1Verify the inputs. Gather height (feet), height (extra inches), current weight (lb) and target BMI from your own documents; the prefilled values are examples.
- 2Save a baseline. The worked example puts the weight at the target BMI (lb) at 168.6. Store your own version of it as Scenario A.
- 3Test one change. Start with height (feet), the input with the biggest effect here: moving height (feet) from 4 to 6 takes the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 115.1 to 232.4, a swing of 70% of the worked-example figure.
- 4Check the extremes. At half the example height (feet) (2.5) the weight at the target BMI (lb) is 53.9; at double (10) it is 589.4.
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate weight to reach a target BMI?
Target weight (lb) = target BMI × height (in)² ÷ 703; change = current weight − target weight. At the worked-example inputs the weight at the target BMI (lb) is 168.6.
What does the weight to reach a target BMI result mean?
See the distance to a BMI target in pounds, then set a plan with your clinician. At the worked-example inputs the weight at the target BMI (lb) is 168.6. It rises with height (feet), target BMI and height (extra inches); current weight (lb) does not move it.
How much does height (feet) change the weight at the target BMI (lb)?
Holding every other input at the worked-example value, moving height (feet) from 3 to 7 moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 71.7 to 306.3, a spread of 234.6.
What are the limits of this weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
These are population-based formulas, not diagnoses. Frame size, muscle mass, ethnicity and other factors these formulas do not measure can shift what is healthy for a given person. Consult a healthcare provider for individual guidance. The tables on this page test height (feet) only from 3 to 7; a value outside that range is not tabulated here.
Which input moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) most in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
Ranked by how far each moves the weight at the target BMI (lb) across the range tested: height (feet) (117.3, 70%), target BMI (33.9, 20%) and height (extra inches) (9.8, 5.8%). Current weight (lb) does not change it.
If I double height (feet) in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator, does the weight at the target BMI (lb) double?
Doubling it from 5 to 10 takes the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 168.6 to 589.4, which is 3.50 times the worked-example figure. So the result grows faster than the input does. Halving it to 2.5 gives 53.9.
How much does height (extra inches) matter in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
The worked example uses 9. Holding every other input at its worked-example value, moving height (extra inches) from 8 to 10 takes the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 163.8 to 173.6, a swing of 5.8% of the worked-example figure.
How much does current weight (lb) matter in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
The worked example uses 195. The weight at the target BMI (lb) does not depend on current weight (lb); it moves the pounds to lose (negative means gain) from 7.4 to 46.4 instead when current weight (lb) goes from 176 to 215.
How much does target BMI matter in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
The worked example uses 24.9. With the other inputs left at the worked example, moving target BMI from 22 to 27 takes the weight at the target BMI (lb) from 149 to 182.9, a swing of 20% of the worked-example figure.
Which inputs change the pounds to lose (negative means gain) in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
At the worked-example inputs it is 26.4. Height (feet) takes it from 79.9 to -37.4, height (extra inches) takes it from 31.2 to 21.4, current weight (lb) takes it from 7.4 to 46.4 and target BMI takes it from 46 to 12.1.
Which inputs change the current BMI in the weight to reach a target BMI calculator?
At the worked-example inputs it is 28.8. Height (feet) takes it from 42.2 to 20.9, height (extra inches) takes it from 29.6 to 28 and current weight (lb) takes it from 26 to 31.7.
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat. So it can misclassify very muscular people as overweight and underestimate risk in people with low muscle mass. It is a population-level screening tool, useful for tracking trends in one person over time, not a diagnosis for an individual.
How often should I measure my body?
Weekly or monthly is enough for most trends. Daily weight swings by a pound or more from water, food and salt, so one day says little. Measure at the same time of day under the same conditions.
Why is the healthy weight range so wide?
Height is the only input. People of the same height differ in frame, muscle and fat, so a fair guideline has to leave room. The width of the range shows the uncertainty instead of hiding it.
Sources and evidence
Free Calculators Online is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the source organizations. Educational estimates only.