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Ideal body weight calculator
See a typical healthy weight for your height, plus the full range that still counts as a healthy BMI.
Written by Robert Winter · Published August 17, 2026 · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
Editorial standardsWhat does “ideal weight” mean?
Ideal body weight is a benchmark, not a verdict. It usually means a weight that sits in the healthy BMI band for your height — neither so low that nutrient stores suffer, nor so high that long-term disease risk rises. How you feel, train, and eat still matters more than a single target on a chart.
How we calculate ideal weight
We convert your height to metres and apply BMI × height². The healthy window uses WHO adult bounds of BMI 18.5 and 24.9. The single “typical” number is our midpoint inside that band — BMI 21 for women and BMI 23 for men — because men on average carry more muscle. It is not an official WHO “ideal weight.” Age is asked so you can judge the result, but it does not change the formula.
Why your best weight may differ
Frame size, genetics, sport, and muscle mass all shift what looks and feels healthy. A climber or distance runner may sit below the typical number; a rugby player or lifter may sit above it and still have excellent blood markers. If you lose fat while gaining muscle, the scale can stall even as your body composition improves.
How to use this number
Treat the typical weight as a midpoint in a range, not a verdict. The CDC suggests a common adult pace of about 0.5–1 kg (1–2 lb) per week when losing weight. Faster cuts are harder to keep. Track food quality, not only kilograms. Pureo can show calories, protein, sugar, and ultra-processed food along the way — it does not prescribe a medical diet.
Is there one ideal weight for my height?+
No. A healthy BMI spans a range of several kilograms. The typical value is a midpoint so you have a clear number, not the only “correct” weight.
Why are the targets different for women and men?+
On average, men have more muscle. We use BMI 21 for women and 23 for men as midpoints inside the WHO healthy band — not as official sex-specific ideals. Your own mix of fat and muscle may sit elsewhere in the 18.5–24.9 range.
Should athletes ignore ideal weight?+
Athletes should treat it as a weak signal. Extra muscle raises scale weight and BMI without the same health risk as extra fat. Performance, recovery, and body-fat measures are more useful.
Primary sources
Health facts on this page are tied to these public-health and peer-reviewed sources. Product notes about Pureo are our own.
- Obesity and overweight fact sheet — World Health Organization
- A healthy lifestyle — WHO recommendations — World Health Organization
- Adult BMI categories — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- BMI calculator and healthy weight — National Health Service (UK)
- Steps for losing weight — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How Pureo tests this
The healthy range uses WHO adult BMI bounds of 18.5 and 24.9. The single “typical” number is our midpoint inside that band (BMI 21 for women, 23 for men), not an official WHO ideal weight. We re-check the formula when we edit this page.
Read our editorial standardsNot medical advice. This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or personal medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician before changing how you eat, especially if you are pregnant, have an eating disorder, or have a medical condition that affects weight.
Put the numbers into practice
Pureo helps you scan meals, track calories, and quit sugar and ultra-processed food.
