Average Height and Weight for Adults by Age Group (20 to 80+)
Once growth plates close, height stops being a moving target, but weight doesn't. The catch is that "average" and "healthy" are not the same thing: the typical U.S. adult today weighs more than the healthy range for their height. Here's a healthy weight chart you can check against your own height, the average height and weight of U.S. adults from 20 to 80+, and practical, evidence-based steps for moving toward a healthier weight.
Quick Answer
Average height: about 5'9" (175.1 cm) for U.S. men and 5'3.5" (161.2 cm) for U.S. women age 20 and older.[1]
Healthy weight depends on your height, not your age: it's the range that gives a BMI of 18.5 to less than 25. At 5'9" that's about 125 to 168 lb; at 5'3.5" it's about 106 to 142 lb.[3][4]
Average is not the same as healthy: the average U.S. man weighs 199 lb and the average woman 172 lb, both above the healthy range for their height.[1] Even losing 5 to 10% of body weight brings real health benefits.[7]
Healthy Weight Chart by Height
The CDC uses the same BMI ranges for all adults 20 and older, regardless of sex or age,[3] so one chart works for everyone. Find your height to see your healthy weight range and the weights where the overweight and obesity categories begin.
| Height | Healthy weight | Overweight from | Obesity from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" (147 cm) | 89–119 lb (40–54 kg) | 120 lb | 144 lb |
| 4'11" (150 cm) | 92–123 lb (42–56 kg) | 124 lb | 149 lb |
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 95–127 lb (43–58 kg) | 128 lb | 154 lb |
| 5'1" (155 cm) | 98–132 lb (44–60 kg) | 133 lb | 159 lb |
| 5'2" (157 cm) | 101–136 lb (46–62 kg) | 137 lb | 164 lb |
| 5'3" (160 cm) | 105–140 lb (48–64 kg) | 141 lb | 170 lb |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 108–145 lb (49–66 kg) | 146 lb | 175 lb |
| 5'5" (165 cm) | 111–149 lb (50–68 kg) | 150 lb | 180 lb |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 115–154 lb (52–70 kg) | 155 lb | 186 lb |
| 5'7" (170 cm) | 118–159 lb (54–72 kg) | 160 lb | 192 lb |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 122–164 lb (55–74 kg) | 165 lb | 197 lb |
| 5'9" (175 cm) | 125–168 lb (57–76 kg) | 169 lb | 203 lb |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 129–173 lb (59–78 kg) | 174 lb | 209 lb |
| 5'11" (180 cm) | 133–178 lb (60–81 kg) | 179 lb | 215 lb |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 137–183 lb (62–83 kg) | 184 lb | 221 lb |
| 6'1" (185 cm) | 140–189 lb (64–86 kg) | 190 lb | 228 lb |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 144–194 lb (65–88 kg) | 195 lb | 234 lb |
| 6'3" (190 cm) | 148–199 lb (67–90 kg) | 200 lb | 240 lb |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 152–204 lb (69–93 kg) | 205 lb | 247 lb |
Calculated from the CDC adult BMI categories: healthy weight 18.5 to less than 25, overweight 25 to less than 30, obesity 30 or higher.[3] The 5'9" row matches the CDC's own example.[4] For an exact figure, use our BMI Calculator or Ideal Weight Calculator.
Average Height and Weight by Age Group
This table shows what U.S. adults in each 10-year age group actually measure and weigh on average. It describes the population as it is, not a target: in every age group, the average weight is above the healthy range for that group's average height, and the average BMI falls in the overweight or obesity category.[1][3]
| Age group | Men — Height | Men — Weight (BMI) | Women — Height | Women — Weight (BMI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | 5'9.4" (176.3 cm) | 191.3 lb (86.8 kg) · BMI 27.8 | 5'4.4" (163.5 cm) | 164.9 lb (74.8 kg) · BMI 28.0 |
| 30–39 | 5'9.3" (176.1 cm) | 201.5 lb (91.4 kg) · BMI 29.5 | 5'4.0" (162.5 cm) | 178.3 lb (80.9 kg) · BMI 30.5 |
| 40–49 | 5'9.4" (176.4 cm) | 210.1 lb (95.3 kg) · BMI 30.5 | 5'3.7" (161.7 cm) | 177.3 lb (80.4 kg) · BMI 30.7 |
| 50–59 | 5'8.6" (174.3 cm) | 203.0 lb (92.1 kg) · BMI 30.2 | 5'3.5" (161.2 cm) | 180.0 lb (81.6 kg) · BMI 31.4 |
| 60–69 | 5'8.8" (174.7 cm) | 196.7 lb (89.2 kg) · BMI 29.2 | 5'3.2" (160.5 cm) | 171.0 lb (77.5 kg) · BMI 30.1 |
| 70–79 | 5'7.9" (172.4 cm) | 193.4 lb (87.7 kg) · BMI 29.4 | 5'2.3" (158.3 cm) | 162.8 lb (73.8 kg) · BMI 29.5 |
| 80 and older | 5'7.1" (170.5 cm) | 180.1 lb (81.7 kg) · BMI 27.8 | 5'1.7" (156.8 cm) | 149.7 lb (67.9 kg) · BMI 27.7 |
| All adults 20+ | 5'8.9" (175.1 cm) | 199.0 lb (90.3 kg) · BMI 29.4 | 5'3.5" (161.2 cm) | 171.8 lb (77.9 kg) · BMI 30.0 |
Source: NCHS, NHANES August 2021–August 2023, mean measured values; weights exclude pregnant women.[1] To find your own healthy weight, use the chart above with your height.
For example, men aged 40 to 49 average 5'9.4" and 210 lb. At that height, the healthy range is about 127 to 171 lb, so the average man in that group is roughly 40 pounds above the top of the healthy range. For the national picture, including state differences and international comparisons, see the average height of Americans. For younger ages, see average height and weight for teenagers (13–19 years).
Adult BMI Explained
From age 20, the CDC uses fixed BMI ranges for everyone, instead of the percentiles used for children and teens.[3]
| BMI (kg/m²) | CDC weight category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to less than 25 | Healthy weight |
| 25 to less than 30 | Overweight |
| 30 or higher | Obesity |
CDC BMI categories for adults 20 and older.[3]
BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.[3] It can't tell muscle from fat, so a very muscular person can land in the overweight range while being lean. It is also affected by height loss: because BMI divides weight by height squared, shrinking with age raises BMI even when weight doesn't change. In the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, typical height loss alone added about 0.7 BMI points for men and 1.6 for women by age 70.[2] Treat your BMI as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor.
▶ Watch: What BMI Doesn't Tell You About Your Health
Watch on YouTube ↗How to Move Toward a Healthy Weight
If your weight is above the healthy range for your height, you don't have to reach the chart number to benefit. The CDC notes that even a modest loss of 5 to 10% of body weight is likely to improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, even if your weight is still in the overweight or obesity range.[7]
| Starting weight | 5% goal | 10% goal |
|---|---|---|
| 160 lb (73 kg) | −8 lb → 152 lb | −16 lb → 144 lb |
| 180 lb (82 kg) | −9 lb → 171 lb | −18 lb → 162 lb |
| 200 lb (91 kg) | −10 lb → 190 lb | −20 lb → 180 lb |
| 220 lb (100 kg) | −11 lb → 209 lb | −22 lb → 198 lb |
Simple percentages of starting weight, for illustration. The CDC uses the same example: a 5% loss for a 200-lb person is 10 lb.[7]
- Go slow and steady: people who lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week are more successful at keeping the weight off than those who lose it quickly.[7]
- Know your energy needs: our Daily Calorie Needs Calculator and TDEE Calculator give a starting estimate of how much energy your body uses each day.
- Build lasting habits, not a crash diet: regular balanced meals, more vegetables, fruit, and whole foods, and fewer sugary drinks and highly processed snacks are easier to keep up than strict short-term plans.
- Move more: regular activity, including some strength training, helps protect muscle and bone while you lose weight.
- Check in with your doctor first if you are over 65, have a health condition, take regular medication, or your BMI is below 18.5. Being underweight deserves a medical check too, not just being overweight.
How Height Changes With Age
Adult height doesn't increase once the growth plates have fused, but it does slowly decrease. Average height is nearly flat from the 20s through the 40s, then steps down in each older age group: by 80 and older, the average man is about 2.3 inches shorter and the average woman about 2.6 inches shorter than adults in their 20s.[1]
| Age group | Men (5th–95th percentile) | Women (5th–95th percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | 63.8–74.1 in (162–188 cm) | 60.3–68.7 in (153–175 cm) |
| 30–39 | 64.4–73.7 in (164–187 cm) | 59.1–68.1 in (150–173 cm) |
| 40–49 | 63.9–74.8 in (162–190 cm) | 59.0–67.7 in (150–172 cm) |
| 50–59 | 64.2–73.1 in (163–186 cm) | 59.2–67.9 in (150–172 cm) |
| 60–69 | 63.7–73.5 in (162–187 cm) | 58.9–67.4 in (150–171 cm) |
| 70–79 | 62.8–72.5 in (160–184 cm) | 58.5–66.2 in (149–168 cm) |
| 80 and older | From 62.3 in (158 cm)* | From 56.6 in (144 cm)* |
Normal height range: the band between the 5th and 95th percentiles, which includes 90% of U.S. adults. Source: NCHS, NHANES August 2021–August 2023.[1] *The 95th percentile for adults 80 and older was not published because it could not be estimated reliably.
Because healthy weight is tied to height, losing height also lowers your healthy weight range slightly. Strong bones help limit height loss: adults need 1,000 mg of calcium a day from 19 to 50, and 1,200 mg a day for women over 50 and everyone over 70.[6] For more, see why do we get shorter as we age?, can you grow taller after 25?, and our Adult Height Loss Calculator.
When to Talk to a Doctor
FAQs
What is a healthy weight for my height?
Is the average American weight a healthy weight?
What is the average height and weight for a 40-year-old?
Does a healthy weight change with age?
How fast should I lose weight?
Do adults get shorter with age?
References
- [1] Fryar CD, Gu Q, Afful J, Carroll MD, Ogden CL. Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023. Vital and Health Statistics, Series 3. 2025;(50):1-28. National Center for Health Statistics. cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03-050.pdf
- [2] Sorkin JD, Muller DC, Andres R. Longitudinal change in height of men and women: implications for interpretation of the body mass index. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1999;150(9):969-977. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10547143
- [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult BMI categories. cdc.gov
- [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Defining adult overweight and obesity. cdc.gov
- [5] Clinical sign: height loss and vertebral deformity. Nihon Rinsho. 2006;64(9):1610-1614. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16972667
- [6] NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Calcium: fact sheet for health professionals. ods.od.nih.gov
- [7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Losing weight. cdc.gov
