BMI Weight by Height: BMI for 162 cm, 178 cm and Other Heights

BMI, or body mass index, is calculated from weight and height. Because height is part of the equation, the weight associated with a particular BMI changes as height changes.

For adults, a BMI from 18.5 to less than 25 is the standard healthy-weight category. These categories are used for adult men and women; the mathematical BMI calculation itself does not change based on sex.

How BMI Is Calculated From Height and Weight

The standard metric BMI formula is:

BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ height in meters²

For example, if someone weighs 65 kg and is 1.70 m tall:

BMI = 65 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70)

BMI ≈ 22.5

For the metric system, remember that height must be entered in meters, not centimeters.

So:

170 cm = 1.70 m

BMI Categories for Adults

For adults, the commonly used BMI categories are:

These categories are screening categories. BMI does not directly measure body fat and does not distinguish muscle from fat. CDC guidance recommends interpreting BMI alongside other relevant health information.

Children and teenagers are different. BMI for people aged 2–19 is interpreted using age- and sex-specific growth charts rather than the adult categories.

BMI Weight Ranges for 162 cm

A height of 162 cm is 1.62 m.

To calculate the weight associated with a BMI of 18.5:

18.5 × 1.62² ≈ 48.6 kg

For BMI 24.9:

24.9 × 1.62² ≈ 65.4 kg

So an adult who is 162 cm tall has an approximate weight range of 48.6–65.4 kg corresponding to the standard healthy BMI category.

For example, if a 162 cm adult weighs 55 kg:

55 ÷ 1.62² ≈ 21.0

A BMI of about 21.0 falls within the standard healthy-weight category.

BMI Weight Ranges for 178 cm

A height of 178 cm is 1.78 m.

For BMI 18.5:

18.5 × 1.78² ≈ 58.6 kg

For BMI 24.9:

24.9 × 1.78² ≈ 78.9 kg

Therefore, an adult who is 178 cm tall has an approximate BMI-based healthy-weight range of 58.6–78.9 kg.

For example, if a 178 cm adult weighs 75 kg:

75 ÷ 1.78² ≈ 23.7

That BMI is within the standard adult healthy-weight category.

BMI for a 178 cm Male

A common search is "178cm BMI male."

The calculation for a 178 cm male is the same as for a 178 cm female:

BMI = weight ÷ 1.78²

Sex does not change the basic adult BMI equation.

For example, a 178 cm man weighing 80 kg has:

80 ÷ 1.78² ≈ 25.2

That falls just above the standard healthy BMI category.

Ideal BMI for a 5'3" Female

Five feet 3 inches is approximately 160 cm, or 1.60 m.

There is no separate adult "ideal BMI" specifically for women at 5'3". The standard adult BMI categories apply to both men and women.

If you want the weight corresponding to BMI 18.5:

18.5 × 1.60² ≈ 47.4 kg

At BMI 24.9:

24.9 × 1.60² ≈ 63.7 kg

So the approximate adult healthy-BMI weight range at 5'3" is 47.4–63.7 kg.

Ideal BMI for a 5'10" Male

Five feet 10 inches is approximately 178 cm, or 1.78 m.

There is no separate adult "ideal BMI" specifically for men at 5'10". The standard adult BMI categories apply.

At BMI 18.5:

18.5 × 1.78² ≈ 58.6 kg

At BMI 24.9:

24.9 × 1.78² ≈ 78.9 kg

Therefore, the approximate healthy-BMI weight range at 5'10" is 58.6–78.9 kg.

A person weighing 70 kg at 5'10" would have:

70 ÷ 1.78² ≈ 22.1

That is within the standard adult healthy BMI category.

How to Convert Feet and Inches to Centimeters

If your height is given in feet and inches, convert it before using the metric BMI formula.

One inch equals 2.54 cm.

For example, 5'3" means:

(5 × 12) + 3 = 63 inches

Then:

63 × 2.54 = 160.0 cm

For 5'10":

(5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches

Then:

70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm

You can round 177.8 cm to 178 cm for a simple calculation, although using your exact measured height can give a slightly more precise BMI.

How BMI Relates to Healthy Weight

BMI connects a person's weight to height.

If you know your height, you can calculate the weight associated with a selected BMI using:

Weight = BMI × height²

For the standard adult healthy BMI range:

Lower weight = 18.5 × height²

Upper weight = 24.9 × height²

For example, at 1.65 m:

18.5 × 1.65² ≈ 50.4 kg

24.9 × 1.65² ≈ 67.8 kg

So the approximate healthy-BMI weight range is 50.4–67.8 kg.

This same formula works for essentially any adult height.

Why the Same BMI Produces Different Weights

The same BMI can correspond to very different weights because height is squared in the equation.

Consider BMI 22:

At 1.60 m:

22 × 1.60² = 56.3 kg

At 1.80 m:

22 × 1.80² = 71.3 kg

Both people have a BMI of 22, but one weighs about 56.3 kg and the other about 71.3 kg.

BMI vs. Ideal Body Weight

BMI-based weight ranges and ideal body weight formulas answer different questions.

A BMI-based range tells you which weights correspond to a selected BMI range for your height.

An ideal body weight formula gives a separate reference estimate, often based mainly on height and sex.

For example, a 5'10" man may have:

• A BMI-based healthy-weight range of approximately 58.6–78.9 kg
• A traditional Devine ideal-weight estimate of approximately 73.0 kg

You can calculate the latter using the Howtigo Ideal Body Weight Calculator.

How to Calculate BMI for Any Height

You can calculate BMI for any adult height by following these steps:

1. Measure your weight in kilograms.
2. Measure your height.
3. Convert centimeters to meters if necessary.
4. Square your height in meters.
5. Divide your weight by height squared.
6. Compare the result with the adult BMI categories.

For example:

Weight = 72 kg

Height = 178 cm = 1.78 m

BMI = 72 ÷ 1.78²

BMI ≈ 22.7

You can make this process easier with the Howtigo BMI Calculator.

How to Calculate Your Ideal Weight and BMI

If your goal is to calculate your ideal weight and BMI, it helps to keep the two calculations separate.

First, calculate your current BMI using your actual height and weight.

Then, if you want a formula-based ideal-weight reference, use an ideal body weight equation.

Finally, compare the results with your broader health context.

For a broader explanation of realistic weight ranges, read Howtigo Healthy Weight for Your Height.

Summary

If you are looking for 162 cm BMI weight, 178 cm BMI male, or BMI for another height, the calculation follows the same basic formula.

Key points:

• BMI uses weight and height.
• Height must be converted to meters for the metric formula.
• A BMI of 18.5 to less than 25 is the standard adult healthy-weight category.
• At 162 cm, the approximate healthy-BMI weight range is 48.6–65.4 kg.
• At 178 cm, the approximate range is 58.6–78.9 kg.
• A 178 cm male uses the same BMI equation as a 178 cm female.
• At 5'3", the approximate healthy-BMI weight range is 47.4–63.7 kg.
• At 5'10", the approximate healthy-BMI weight range is 58.6–78.9 kg.
• The same BMI produces different weights at different heights.
• BMI and ideal body weight are separate calculations.

For a quick result, use the Howtigo BMI Calculator.

You can also use the Howtigo Ideal Body Weight Calculator and read Howtigo Healthy Weight for Your Height for additional context.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Adult BMI categories. https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/adult-calculator/bmi-categories.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About body mass index (BMI). https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/about/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Child and teen BMI categories. https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/child-teen-calculator/bmi-categories.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Body mass index: Considerations for practitioners. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/25368

Pai, M. P., & Paloucek, F. P. (2000). The origin of the "ideal" body weight equations. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34(9), 1066–1069. https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.19381