A healthy BMI for women is 18.5 to 24.9 at every adult age from 18 to 64 – the NHS uses the same ranges for women and men. For a 5′4″ (163 cm) woman, that is 7 st 10 lb to 10 st 5 lb (48.9–65.8 kg). Over 65, a BMI of about 23 to 28 is usually not a concern.
BMI Calculator for Women
BMI chart for women by age and height
Find your height in the first column. The healthy weight range is the same from 18 to 64; the last column shows the range linked with the lowest risk for women over 65.
| Height | Age 18–39 | Age 40–64 | Age 65+ (BMI 23–27.9)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ (147 cm) | 6 st 5 lb – 8 st 7 lb 40.2–54.0 kg | 6 st 5 lb – 8 st 7 lb | 7 st 12 lb – 9 st 7 lb 49.9–60.6 kg |
| 4′11″ (150 cm) | 6 st 8 lb – 8 st 11 lb 41.5–55.9 kg | 6 st 8 lb – 8 st 11 lb | 8 st 2 lb – 9 st 12 lb 51.7–62.7 kg |
| 5′0″ (152 cm) | 6 st 11 lb – 9 st 1 lb 43.0–57.8 kg | 6 st 11 lb – 9 st 1 lb | 8 st 6 lb – 10 st 3 lb 53.4–64.8 kg |
| 5′1″ (155 cm) | 7 st 0 lb – 9 st 6 lb 44.4–59.8 kg | 7 st 0 lb – 9 st 6 lb | 8 st 10 lb – 10 st 8 lb 55.2–67.0 kg |
| 5′2″ (157 cm) | 7 st 3 lb – 9 st 10 lb 45.9–61.8 kg | 7 st 3 lb – 9 st 10 lb | 9 st 0 lb – 10 st 13 lb 57.0–69.2 kg |
| 5′3″ (160 cm) | 7 st 6 lb – 10 st 1 lb 47.4–63.8 kg | 7 st 6 lb – 10 st 1 lb | 9 st 4 lb – 11 st 4 lb 58.9–71.4 kg |
| 5′4″ (163 cm) | 7 st 10 lb – 10 st 5 lb 48.9–65.8 kg | 7 st 10 lb – 10 st 5 lb | 9 st 8 lb – 11 st 9 lb 60.8–73.7 kg |
| 5′5″ (165 cm) | 7 st 13 lb – 10 st 10 lb 50.4–67.9 kg | 7 st 13 lb – 10 st 10 lb | 9 st 12 lb – 12 st 0 lb 62.7–76.0 kg |
| 5′6″ (168 cm) | 8 st 3 lb – 11 st 0 lb 52.0–70.0 kg | 8 st 3 lb – 11 st 0 lb | 10 st 3 lb – 12 st 5 lb 64.6–78.4 kg |
| 5′7″ (170 cm) | 8 st 6 lb – 11 st 5 lb 53.6–72.1 kg | 8 st 6 lb – 11 st 5 lb | 10 st 7 lb – 12 st 10 lb 66.6–80.8 kg |
| 5′8″ (173 cm) | 8 st 10 lb – 11 st 10 lb 55.2–74.3 kg | 8 st 10 lb – 11 st 10 lb | 10 st 11 lb – 13 st 1 lb 68.6–83.2 kg |
| 5′9″ (175 cm) | 8 st 13 lb – 12 st 1 lb 56.8–76.5 kg | 8 st 13 lb – 12 st 1 lb | 11 st 2 lb – 13 st 7 lb 70.6–85.7 kg |
| 5′10″ (178 cm) | 9 st 3 lb – 12 st 6 lb 58.5–78.7 kg | 9 st 3 lb – 12 st 6 lb | 11 st 6 lb – 13 st 12 lb 72.7–88.2 kg |
*For people over 65, research suggests a BMI of about 23 to 28 is linked with the lowest risk; the NHS advises older adults not to lose weight without advice from a GP.
For heights not shown, see the full healthy weight range by height chart, or jump to a height: 5′2″ · 5′3″ · 5′4″ · 5′5″ · 5′6″.
BMI categories for women
| BMI | Category | If you are South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Below 18.5 – underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Healthy weight | 18.5 – 22.9 healthy; 23 – 24.9 overweight |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | 25 – 27.4 overweight; 27.5+ obesity |
| 30 or more | Obesity | Obesity |
There is no separate “female BMI scale” on the NHS. What differs between women and men is body composition: at the same BMI, women naturally carry more body fat – typically around 10 percentage points more – which is normal and needed for hormones and fertility.
BMI for women at each stage of life
18 to 30
Weight usually settles after the teenage years. Building muscle and bone now, through strength exercise and enough calcium and vitamin D, pays off later.
Pregnancy
BMI does not apply during pregnancy. Your midwife records your weight at booking (around 8–12 weeks) and uses your pre-pregnancy BMI to plan your care.
30s and 40s
Muscle mass slowly falls from about 30. Weight can creep up by a few pounds a year, so small habits – walking, portion size, sugary drinks – matter more.
Menopause (usually 45–55)
Falling oestrogen tends to move fat from the hips to the waist, even if your weight does not change. This raises heart and diabetes risk, so measure your waist as well as your BMI. See healthy BMI for women over 50.
60 to 65
The healthy BMI range is still 18.5 to 24.9. Strength and balance exercise twice a week helps protect muscle and bones.
Over 65
A BMI of roughly 23 to 28 is linked with the lowest risk. Do not try to lose weight without advice, and report unplanned weight loss to your GP.
Women’s weight in England: the facts
In 2022, 30% of women in England were living with obesity, and the average BMI for women was 27.6 – in the overweight range (Health Survey for England 2022). Average waist size rises with age, from 83.3 cm in women aged 16 to 34 to over 91 cm in women aged 55 and over. Read more about the average weight for women in the UK.
Why waist size matters for women
BMI cannot show where fat is stored. Fat around the tummy (visceral fat) is more harmful than fat on the hips and thighs. NICE recommends that everyone keeps their waist to less than half their height – for a 5′4″ woman, under about 81 cm (32 in).
Measure halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips, after breathing out normally. Then use the waist-to-height ratio calculator.
Eating disorders: if you are worried about your weight or eating, BMI charts are not the right tool. Speak to your GP, or contact the charity Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk).
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for a woman?
A healthy BMI for most women is 18.5 to 24.9. For women of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background, NICE recommends a healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.
Is BMI different for women by age?
No. The NHS uses the same BMI ranges for women from age 18 to 64. Over 65, a slightly higher BMI (about 23 to 28) is not usually a concern. Girls under 18 use BMI centiles.
What should a 5′4″ woman weigh?
A healthy weight for a 5′4″ (163 cm) woman is 7 st 10 lb to 10 st 5 lb (48.9–65.8 kg). See the 5′4″ woman ideal weight page for more detail.
Is a BMI of 28 bad for a woman?
A BMI of 28 is in the overweight range for women. It is not a diagnosis, but it does mean a higher risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Losing about 5% of your weight is a good first goal. See BMI of 28.
Does menopause affect BMI?
Menopause does not change the BMI ranges, but many women gain fat around the waist during and after it. That is why NICE recommends checking your waist-to-height ratio as well as BMI.
Related tools and guides
About this page
How this guide works
Weights in the charts are calculated from the BMI formula at BMI 18.5 and 24.9 for each height (and 23–27.9 for the over-65 column). Statistics on women in England come from the Health Survey for England 2022.
Sources
Medical disclaimer: this guide is general information for adults and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. bmicalculatornhs.net is independent and not affiliated with the NHS. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional about your own health. Full disclaimer.