Ideal Body Weight

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

1. Bend your forearm up to a 90 degree angle. Your arm should be parallel to your body.
2. Keep your fingers straight and turn the inside of your wrist towards the body.
3. Using your other hand, place your thumb and index finger on the two prominent bones (on either side) of the elbow.
4. Measure the distance between the bones with a tape measure or calipers.
5. Compare with the tables listing elbow measurements for medium-framed men or women.
6. 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.