Ideal Weight for 5'8" (173 cm): Women and Men
At 5'8" (173 cm), the healthy BMI range is 122 to 164 lb (55 to 74 kg) for women and men. Plus Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi results.
At 5'8" (173 cm), the healthy BMI weight range for adults is 122 to 164 lb, or 55 to 74 kg. It is the same for women and men. The classic ideal body weight formulas land at 138 to 141 lb for women and 148 to 154 lb for men, all inside or near that range.
A range, not a target. Weight is one number among many, and the healthiest weight for you depends on muscle, frame, age, and how you feel. For your exact numbers, use the full ideal weight calculator, or jump to another height below.
Women at 5'8" (173 cm)
| Method | Pounds | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy BMI range (18.5 to 24.9) | 122 to 164 lb | 55 to 74 kg |
| Devine (1974) | 141 lb | 64 kg |
| Robinson (1983) | 138 lb | 63 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 141 lb | 64 kg |
| Hamwi (1964) | 140 lb | 64 kg |
Men at 5'8" (173 cm)
| Method | Pounds | Kilograms |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy BMI range (18.5 to 24.9) | 122 to 164 lb | 55 to 74 kg |
| Devine (1974) | 151 lb | 68 kg |
| Robinson (1983) | 148 lb | 67 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 149 lb | 67 kg |
| Hamwi (1964) | 154 lb | 70 kg |
Nearby heights: 5'7" is 118 to 159 lb, and 5'9" is 125 to 169 lb.
How these numbers are calculated
The BMI range is weight in kg divided by height in meters squared, solved for weight: 18.5 x m² at the low end and 24.9 x m² at the top. 5'8" is 172.7 cm, so 55 to 74 kg. The CDC calls 18.5 to less than 25 "healthy weight" for adults 20 and older.
The four formulas start from a base weight at 5 feet and add a fixed amount per inch: Devine (women 45.5 kg, men 50 kg, plus 2.3 kg per inch), Robinson (49 kg plus 1.7, and 52 kg plus 1.9), Miller (53.1 kg plus 1.36, and 56.2 kg plus 1.41), and Hamwi (100 lb plus 5 lb, and 106 lb plus 6 lb). They were made to estimate medication doses, which is why clinicians still use them and why they are not personal goals.
What BMI leaves out
BMI does not tell fat from muscle or bone, and it says nothing about where fat sits. Muscular people often score high while being healthy, and a WHO expert panel found health risks start at lower BMIs in many Asian populations. Your doctor looks at it next to blood pressure, labs, history, and habits, and so should you.
If you are working toward a change, steady daily habits matter more than the exact number. Daily calorie targets at nearby weights: 140 lbs, 160 lbs, 200 lbs, 230 lbs, 260 lbs. If you have a history of disordered eating, please work with a doctor or dietitian rather than a weight chart.
Ideal weight by height
FAQ
What is the ideal weight for a 5'8" female?
The healthy BMI range at 5'8" is 122 to 164 lb (55 to 74 kg). The four classic ideal body weight formulas give a 5'8" woman 138 to 141 lb (63 to 64 kg). Treat both as a broad range, not a target.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'8" male?
The same BMI range applies: 122 to 164 lb (55 to 74 kg). The formulas put a 5'8" man at 148 to 154 lb (67 to 70 kg), higher than for women because they were built from height and weight tables that differ by sex.
What is the ideal weight for 173 cm in kg?
173 cm is about 5'8". The healthy BMI range is 55 to 74 kg for adults of any sex. The formulas give 63 to 64 kg for women and 67 to 70 kg for men.
Is the healthy BMI range different for men and women?
No. The CDC and WHO adult range of 18.5 to 24.9 is the same for everyone, so the weight range at a given height is too. Only the ideal body weight formulas split by sex.
Why do the four formulas give different numbers?
They were fitted to different height and weight tables decades ago, mostly to estimate drug doses, not to set personal goals. At 5'8" they spread across 3 lb for women and 6 lb for men.
Should I try to reach my ideal weight?
Not necessarily. BMI and these formulas ignore muscle, bone, body shape, age, and ethnicity, and plenty of people are healthy outside the range. Use it as one data point with your doctor, and if you have a history of disordered eating, work with a professional rather than a chart.
Sources
- CDC, Adult BMI Categories (checked Oct 25, 2026). cdc.gov/bmi/adult-calculator/bmi-categories.html
- CDC, About Body Mass Index (checked Oct 25, 2026). cdc.gov/bmi/about
- WHO, Obesity and overweight fact sheet (checked Oct 25, 2026). who.int
- Pai MP, Paloucek FP. "The origin of the ideal body weight equations." Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2000;34:1066-1069. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10981254
- Peterson CM et al. "Universal equation for estimating ideal body weight and body weight at any BMI." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2016 (equations as tabulated there). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4841935
- WHO Expert Consultation. "Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations." The Lancet, 2004;363:157-163. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14726171