Feel free to use the below tools and charts for fun, but if you want a more precise way to
track where you should be and assess your overall health risks, please use the
body fat or
waist to hip
calculator.
Your ideal weight? Ask you insurance rep!
The ideal weight charts were put together from companies that sell insurance. The insurers wanted
some way to track risk of policy holders and to have general recommendations for the weight of men
and women.
The "desirable" weight numbers were found by calculating the insured individuals that had the
lowest death rates and health issues. Even though it was a large scale study, the numbers are
inaccurate because they don’t include a true cross-section of the American people, just those
insured.
Not only that, but the below "ideal weight" recommendations are dated and completely inaccurate if
you carry a little more muscle than the average person.
How to use the insurance data?
If you still prefer to use a simple calculator to determine your ideal body weight based on the
insurance data, select the appropriate link below. Also, keep in mind that these are just weight
averages and everyone is different. Again, the calculator will be inaccurate if you have more muscle
or lean body mass than the average person.
Calculator for females
Calculator for males
Ideal Body Weight Reference Charts
How to Approximate Your Frame Size
- Bend your forearm up to a 90 degree angle. Your arm should be
parallel to your body.
- Keep your fingers straight and turn the inside of your wrist
towards the body.
- Using your other hand, place your thumb and index finger on
the two prominent bones (on either side) of the elbow.
- Measure the distance between the bones with a tape measure or
calipers.
- Compare with the tables listing elbow measurements for medium-framed
men or women.
- Measurements lower than those listed for a medium frame indicate
a small frame. Higher measurements indicate a large frame.
Elbow Measurements For Medium Frame
Height in 1" heels |
Elbow |
Height in 1" heels |
Elbow |
Men |
Breadth |
Women |
Breadth |
5'2"-5'3" |
2 1/2"-2 7/8"
|
4'10"-4'11" |
2 1/4"-2 1/2"
|
5'4"-5'7" |
2 5/8"-2 7/8"
|
5'0"-5'3" |
2 1/4"-2 1/2"
|
5'8"-5'11" |
2 3/4"-3" |
5'4"-5'7" |
2 3/8"-2 5/8"
|
6'0"-6'3" |
2 3/4"-3 1/8"
|
5'8"-5'11" |
2 3/8"-2 5/8"
|
6'4" |
2 7/8"-3 1/4"
|
6'0" |
2 1/2"-2 3/4"
|
Quick Reference to Find Your Frame Size.
Keep in mind that this is a far less accurate measurement method.
To calculate your frame type place your thumb and index finger
around your wrist. If your finger overlaps the thumb, your frame
is a "Small Frame". If they touch, your frame is a "Medium Frame".
If they do not touch, your frame is a "Large Frame".
Height and Weight Table for Women
Height
Feet Inches |
Small
Frame |
Medium
Frame |
Large
Frame |
4' 10" |
102-111 |
109-121 |
118-131 |
4' 11" |
103-113 |
111-123 |
120-134 |
5' 0" |
104-115 |
113-126 |
122-137 |
5' 1" |
106-118 |
115-129 |
125-140 |
5' 2" |
108-121 |
118-132 |
128-143 |
5' 3" |
111-124 |
121-135 |
131-147 |
5' 4" |
114-127 |
124-138 |
134-151 |
5' 5" |
117-130 |
127-141 |
137-155 |
5' 6" |
120-133 |
130-144 |
140-159 |
5' 7" |
123-136 |
133-147 |
143-163 |
5' 8" |
126-139 |
136-150 |
146-167 |
5' 9" |
129-142 |
139-153 |
149-170 |
5' 10" |
132-145 |
142-156 |
152-173 |
5' 11" |
135-148 |
145-159 |
155-176 |
6' 0" |
138-151 |
148-162 |
158-179 |
|
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds
according to frame (in indoor clothing weighing 3 lbs.; shoes with 1" heels)
|
Height and Weight Table for Men
Height
Feet Inches |
Small
Frame |
Medium
Frame |
Large
Frame |
5' 2" |
128-134 |
131-141 |
138-150 |
5' 3" |
130-136 |
133-143 |
140-153 |
5'' 4" |
132-138 |
135-145 |
142-156 |
5' 5" |
134-140 |
137-148 |
144-160 |
5' 6" |
136-142 |
139-151 |
146-164 |
5' 7" |
138-145 |
142-154 |
149-168 |
5' 8" |
140-148 |
145-157 |
152-172 |
5' 9" |
142-151 |
148-160 |
155-176 |
5' 10" |
144-154 |
151-163 |
158-180 |
5' 11" |
146-157 |
154-166 |
161-184 |
6' 0" |
149-160 |
157-170 |
164-188 |
6' 1" |
152-164 |
160-174 |
168-192 |
6' 2" |
155-168 |
164-178 |
172-197 |
6' 3" |
158-172 |
167-182 |
176-202 |
6' 4" |
162-176 |
171-187 |
181-207 |
|
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds
according to frame (in indoor clothing weighing 5 lbs.; shoes with 1" heels)
|
Being underweight or overweight are recognized risk factors for many diseases, namely
hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemias, and perhaps certain types of cancers.
Remember, these are statistical averages and not absolutes. If you are very muscular, the
chart will be inaccurate for you.
Ideal Body Weight Calculator For Men
Only enter your height in inches and then click the "calculate" button. Please
leave the other fields blank.
Hamwi Formula for Men
106 lbs for first 5 feet + 6 lbs for each inch over 5 feet (medium frame)
Small frame (- 10%), Large frame (+ 10%)
Ideal Body Weight Calculator For Women
Only enter your height in inches and then click the "calculate" button.
Please leave the other fields blank.
Hamwi Formula for Women
100 lbs for first 5 feet + 5 lbs for each inch over 5 feet (medium frame)
Small frame (- 10%), Large frame (+ 10%)