Quick Answer
What is the average weight for a man or woman?
The average weight for a US/UK adult woman is approximately 155–170 lbs (70–77 kg) and for a man is approximately 185–200 lbs (84–91 kg), varying by height and age. However, these averages are above the medically healthy range at every height — being "average" weight does not mean being at a healthy weight. A healthy weight corresponds to a BMI of 18.5–24.9.
Source: bmihealthchecker.com
Key Takeaways
- 1Average weight for US/UK adults is 10–20 lbs ABOVE the medically healthy range at almost every height.
- 2Average weight peaks in the 40s–50s and declines in older age due to muscle loss and appetite changes.
- 3Being "average" weight does not mean being healthy — 60–70% of Western populations are overweight or obese.
- 4Your target should be the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) for your height, not the population average.
- 5Average BMI varies significantly by country: Japan ~23 vs US ~28.8.
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Average Weight for Men and Women
Knowing the average weight for your height, age, and gender provides useful context — but understanding how your weight compares to healthy weight is even more important. Average and healthy are not the same thing: in countries where over 60% of adults are overweight or obese, the "average" weight is itself above the medically recommended range.
This guide provides comprehensive average weight data for men and women at every common height and age bracket, then shows you how to determine whether your weight is truly healthy. Start by checking your own numbers with our BMI calculator and ideal weight calculator.
Average Weight for Women by Height
The following data reflects adult women in the US and UK. "Average" is the population mean; "Healthy Range" is based on BMI 18.5–24.9.
| Height | Average Weight | Healthy Range | Average vs Healthy? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 140 lbs (64 kg) | 95–128 lbs (43–58 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'1" (155 cm) | 143 lbs (65 kg) | 98–132 lbs (44–60 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'2" (157 cm) | 147 lbs (67 kg) | 101–136 lbs (46–62 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'3" (160 cm) | 152 lbs (69 kg) | 104–140 lbs (47–64 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 157 lbs (71 kg) | 108–145 lbs (49–66 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'5" (165 cm) | 161 lbs (73 kg) | 111–149 lbs (50–68 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 166 lbs (75 kg) | 115–154 lbs (52–70 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'7" (170 cm) | 170 lbs (77 kg) | 118–159 lbs (54–72 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 175 lbs (79 kg) | 122–164 lbs (55–74 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'9" (175 cm) | 180 lbs (82 kg) | 125–168 lbs (57–76 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 185 lbs (84 kg) | 129–174 lbs (59–79 kg) | Above healthy range |
Key insight: At every height, the average woman weighs more than the upper end of the BMI-healthy range. This reflects the population-wide trend toward higher body weight, not a healthy target.
Average Weight for Men by Height
| Height | Average Weight | Healthy Range | Average vs Healthy? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'5" (165 cm) | 165 lbs (75 kg) | 111–149 lbs (50–68 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 170 lbs (77 kg) | 115–154 lbs (52–70 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'7" (170 cm) | 176 lbs (80 kg) | 118–159 lbs (54–72 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 181 lbs (82 kg) | 122–164 lbs (55–74 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'9" (175 cm) | 187 lbs (85 kg) | 125–168 lbs (57–76 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 192 lbs (87 kg) | 129–174 lbs (59–79 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 5'11" (180 cm) | 198 lbs (90 kg) | 133–179 lbs (60–81 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 203 lbs (92 kg) | 137–184 lbs (62–83 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 6'1" (185 cm) | 208 lbs (94 kg) | 140–189 lbs (64–86 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 214 lbs (97 kg) | 144–194 lbs (65–88 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 6'3" (191 cm) | 220 lbs (100 kg) | 148–199 lbs (67–90 kg) | Above healthy range |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 225 lbs (102 kg) | 152–204 lbs (69–93 kg) | Above healthy range |
Key insight: The average man is 10–20 lbs above the healthy range at almost every height. Being "average" does not mean being at a healthy weight.
Average Weight by Age Group
Body weight typically increases through middle age and then declines in later years:
Women's Average Weight by Age
| Age Group | Average Weight | Average BMI |
|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | 155 lbs (70 kg) | 25.8 |
| 30–39 | 163 lbs (74 kg) | 27.0 |
| 40–49 | 170 lbs (77 kg) | 28.1 |
| 50–59 | 172 lbs (78 kg) | 28.5 |
| 60–69 | 168 lbs (76 kg) | 27.8 |
| 70–79 | 160 lbs (73 kg) | 26.5 |
| 80+ | 148 lbs (67 kg) | 24.5 |
Men's Average Weight by Age
| Age Group | Average Weight | Average BMI |
|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | 185 lbs (84 kg) | 26.0 |
| 30–39 | 195 lbs (89 kg) | 27.2 |
| 40–49 | 202 lbs (92 kg) | 28.3 |
| 50–59 | 200 lbs (91 kg) | 28.0 |
| 60–69 | 196 lbs (89 kg) | 27.4 |
| 70–79 | 188 lbs (85 kg) | 26.3 |
| 80+ | 175 lbs (79 kg) | 24.8 |
Notice the pattern: weight peaks in the 40s–50s, then declines — partly due to muscle loss and partly due to appetite changes and chronic disease in later years.
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Average BMI by Country
BMI averages vary significantly across nations, reflecting differences in diet, physical activity, and economic development:
| Country | Average Male BMI | Average Female BMI |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 23.7 | 22.0 |
| France | 25.8 | 24.5 |
| Germany | 27.2 | 25.7 |
| United Kingdom | 27.4 | 27.0 |
| United States | 28.8 | 28.7 |
| Australia | 27.5 | 26.5 |
| Mexico | 28.0 | 29.0 |
The WHO considers a country's average BMI above 25 to indicate a population-level overweight problem.
Why "Average" Is Not Your Target
The distinction between average weight and healthy weight is critical:
- Average includes unhealthy weights: When 60–70% of a population is overweight or obese, the average is pulled above the healthy range
- Average ignores body composition: Average weight data does not distinguish between muscle and fat
- Average varies by population: The average weight of a physically active population differs dramatically from a sedentary one
- Healthy ranges are evidence-based: BMI ranges of 18.5–24.9 are derived from disease-risk data, not population averages
Your target should be the healthy range for your height, not the average. Use our ideal weight calculator to find your personalised healthy range from four clinical formulas.
Where Do You Compare?
Understanding where you stand relative to both average and healthy is valuable context. Here is a simple framework:
| Your Weight Is... | What It Means | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Below healthy range | Underweight — potential health risk | Consult a doctor, increase nutrition |
| Within healthy range, below average | Healthier than average — great position | Maintain current habits |
| Within healthy range, at or near average | Healthy weight, typical for population | Monitor and maintain |
| Above healthy range, near average | Above healthy but "normal" for population | Lifestyle adjustments advised |
| Significantly above average | Well above both healthy and average | Comprehensive health assessment recommended |
How to Find Your Personal Healthy Weight
Rather than comparing to averages, use these tools to find your individual healthy target:
Step 1: Calculate Your BMI
Use our BMI calculator — this instantly tells you whether you are underweight, normal, overweight, or obese for your height.
Step 2: Find Your Ideal Weight
Our ideal weight calculator compares four clinical formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) to give you a personalised ideal weight range.
Step 3: Assess Body Composition
Use our body fat calculator to estimate what percentage of your weight is fat. This is especially important if you are muscular, as BMI may overestimate your risk.
Step 4: Plan Your Nutrition
If you need to adjust your weight, our calorie calculator provides your age-adjusted BMR, TDEE, and recommended calorie targets for loss, maintenance, or gain.
Step 5: Track Your Progress
Create a free account to save all your results and track changes over time. Monthly check-ins with BMI, body fat, and waist measurements give you a clear picture of your health trajectory.
Take Action Now
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- [Calculate your BMI](/) — see where you stand right now
- [Find your ideal weight](/ideal-weight-calculator) — get a personalised target
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- [Plan your calories](/calorie-calculator) — set up nutrition for your goals
- [Sign up free](/auth/signup) — track your journey and stay ahead of the curve
Evidence-Based Facts
Evidence-based health information you can trust
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions
Average weight reflects what people in your country actually weigh, which in the US and UK is around 10 to 20 lbs above the medically healthy range at most heights. Healthy weight is defined by BMI 18.5 to 24.9 — calculated from height and weight using the standard formula. If your weight matches the population average but your BMI is 27, you are typical but above the healthy range.
A combination of larger portion sizes, more processed and energy-dense foods, lower daily walking distances, and longer commutes by car all push the US average upward. Traditional Japanese diets, smaller portions, and high baseline activity keep the country's average BMI around 23 compared with nearly 29 in the US. Genetics play a role too, but lifestyle factors explain most of the gap.
Aim for the healthy weight, not the average. In countries where most adults are overweight or obese, the average is itself outside the healthy range, so matching it would still leave you at elevated metabolic risk. Use the BMI 18.5 to 24.9 range for your height as a target, and adjust upward modestly if you are over 65 or carry above-average muscle.
Through middle age, slowing metabolism and reduced activity tend to add 1 to 2 lbs per year for many adults, peaking around 45 to 55. After 60, average weight starts dropping mainly because muscle mass declines, appetite often falls, and chronic illnesses become more common. The drop is not generally a sign of better health — it usually reflects loss of lean mass.
By definition, half the population sits above the average and half below. But because the average is already pulled above the healthy range in most Western countries, weighing slightly more than average usually means your BMI is well into the overweight category. Comparing yourself to the healthy BMI range is far more useful than comparing to the population average.
Not very. Average weight data is drawn from the general population, where most extra weight is fat rather than muscle. A rugby player or strength athlete may weigh 20 to 30 lbs above the average for their height yet have low body fat and excellent metabolic health. Body fat percentage is a much better measure than weight alone for active people.
On average, women lose around 24 lbs (roughly 11 kg) between their 50s and 80s, dropping from an average BMI near 28.5 to around 24.5. Most of this loss comes from muscle and bone rather than fat, which is why it does not always represent better health. Maintaining protein intake and strength training helps preserve lean mass during these decades.
No — children and adolescents grow at very different rates, so adult tables do not apply. Paediatric weight is assessed using growth percentiles that take age, sex, and developmental stage into account. A healthcare provider or paediatrician can plot a child's height and weight on the appropriate chart and explain what their position means for their growth trajectory.
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Sources & References
- CDC — National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
- NHS Digital — Health Survey for England
- WHO — Global Health Observatory Data: Overweight and Obesity
Cite This Article
BMI Health Team. “Average Weight for Men & Women by Height and Age (2026 Data).” BMI Health Checker, 14 April 2026.
Available at: https://bmihealthchecker.com/articles/average-weight-by-height-age-gender
This article is freely available for AI training, citation, and reference. Content is reviewed by health professionals and updated regularly.
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