A healthy BMI for men is 18.5 to 24.9 at every adult age from 18 to 64 – the same as for women. For a 5′10″ (178 cm) man, that is 9 st 3 lb to 12 st 6 lb (58.5–78.7 kg). The average man in England has a BMI of 27.6, which is in the overweight range.
BMI Calculator for Men
BMI chart for men by age and height
Find your height, then read across. The healthy range does not change from 18 to 64; the final column shows the range linked with the lowest risk for men over 65.
| Height | Age 18–39 | Age 40–64 | Age 65+ (BMI 23–27.9)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 5′11″ (180 cm) | 9 st 7 lb – 12 st 11 lb 60.2–81.0 kg | 9 st 7 lb – 12 st 11 lb | 11 st 11 lb – 14 st 4 lb 74.8–90.7 kg |
| 6′0″ (183 cm) | 9 st 10 lb – 13 st 2 lb 61.9–83.3 kg | 9 st 10 lb – 13 st 2 lb | 12 st 2 lb – 14 st 10 lb 76.9–93.3 kg |
| 6′1″ (185 cm) | 10 st 0 lb – 13 st 7 lb 63.6–85.6 kg | 10 st 0 lb – 13 st 7 lb | 12 st 6 lb – 15 st 1 lb 79.1–95.9 kg |
| 6′2″ (188 cm) | 10 st 4 lb – 13 st 12 lb 65.4–88.0 kg | 10 st 4 lb – 13 st 12 lb | 12 st 11 lb – 15 st 7 lb 81.3–98.6 kg |
| 6′3″ (190 cm) | 10 st 8 lb – 14 st 3 lb 67.1–90.4 kg | 10 st 8 lb – 14 st 3 lb | 13 st 2 lb – 15 st 13 lb 83.5–101.2 kg |
| 6′4″ (193 cm) | 10 st 12 lb – 14 st 9 lb 68.9–92.8 kg | 10 st 12 lb – 14 st 9 lb | 13 st 7 lb – 16 st 5 lb 85.7–104.0 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.
Looking for a specific height? See 5′7″ · 5′8″ · 5′10″ · 6′0″, or the full healthy weight range chart.
BMI categories for men
| BMI | Category | South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | 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 – 34.9 | Obesity class 1 | Obesity |
| 35 – 39.9 | Obesity class 2 | Obesity class 2 from 32.5 |
| 40 or more | Obesity class 3 | Obesity class 3 from 37.5 |
Men’s weight in England: the facts
Two in three men in England have a BMI of 25 or more, and 28% are living with obesity (Health Survey for England 2022). Average waist size rises steeply with age: from 88.7 cm in men aged 16 to 34 to 104.5 cm in men aged 65 to 74. See the average weight for men in the UK.
BMI for men at each age
18 to 30
Most men reach their peak muscle mass in their 20s. If you lift weights or play contact sports, your BMI may read high – check your waist instead.
30s and 40s
Weight often creeps up with desk jobs, family life and alcohol. A pint of lager is about 180–250 kcal, so drinks add up quickly.
40 to 64
Fat around the waist rises sharply. The free NHS Health Check (offered every 5 years from 40 to 74) checks your BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Over 65
A BMI of about 23 to 28 is linked with the lowest risk. Keep active and eat enough protein to hold on to muscle.
Muscle, BMI and men
BMI counts all weight the same, so very muscular men – rugby players, bodybuilders, manual workers – can have a BMI over 25 with little body fat. NICE says BMI should be interpreted with caution in adults with high muscle mass.
A simple check: if your BMI is high but your waist is less than half your height, the extra weight is more likely to be muscle. For a 5′10″ man, that means a waist under about 89 cm (35 in). Use the waist-to-height ratio calculator or estimate your body fat percentage.
Why men’s waists matter more: men tend to store fat inside the abdomen (visceral fat), around the liver and other organs. This type of fat is strongly linked with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and heart disease, even at a “normal” BMI.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for a man?
A healthy BMI for most men is 18.5 to 24.9. For men of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background, NICE recommends 18.5 to 22.9.
What should a 5′10″ man weigh?
A healthy weight for a 5′10″ (178 cm) man is 9 st 3 lb to 12 st 6 lb (58.5–78.7 kg). See the 5′10″ man ideal weight page.
What is the average BMI for men in the UK?
The average BMI for men in England is 27.6 (Health Survey for England 2022), which is in the overweight range.
Is a BMI of 27 OK for a muscular man?
It can be. BMI cannot tell muscle from fat. If you are muscular and your waist is less than half your height, a BMI of 27 is less likely to be a concern. If your waist is larger, the risk is higher.
Does age change the healthy BMI for men?
No, the range is 18.5 to 24.9 from 18 to 64. After 65, a BMI of about 23 to 28 is generally not a worry, and unplanned weight loss should be checked by a GP.
Related tools and guides
About this page
How this guide works
Weights are calculated from the BMI formula at BMI 18.5 and 24.9 for each height (and 23–27.9 for over-65s). Figures for men 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.