Anyone who’s ever stepped on a scale and wondered whether the number staring back is “right” has asked the same question: how much should I weigh? The answer isn’t as simple as a single figure – it depends on your height, age, sex, and even how much muscle you carry, and this guide breaks down healthy weight ranges using the UK’s NHS BMI calculator, stone-to-kilogram conversions, and explains why age and body composition matter.

4 related posts

Healthy BMI range: 18.5–24.9 ·
11 stone in kg: 69.85 kg ·
CDC overweight threshold: BMI ≥ 25 ·
Average weight for 5’5″ woman (UK): ~68 kg

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • If BMI indicates overweight or obesity, consult your GP for individualised advice – especially if you’re older or very muscular (Bupa UK (healthcare provider))

Here are the key facts summarised.

Key facts at a glance
Metric Value
Healthy BMI range 18.5 – 24.9 (WHO/CDC)
11 stone in kg 69.85 kg
CDC overweight BMI 25 – 29.9
NHS BMI calculator URL nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index

What is my ideal weight for my height?

How to calculate BMI

  • BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]² (NHS (UK health authority))
  • Example: a 1.65m woman weighing 68kg has a BMI of 68 ÷ (1.65×1.65) ≈ 25.0

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy weight. The NHS (UK health authority) uses the same range for adults aged 18 and over. A BMI of 25–29.9 is classified as overweight, and 30+ is obesity.

The upshot

A single BMI value is only a screening tool – it does not diagnose body fatness or health. Athletes, older adults, and people of South Asian ethnicity may need adjusted thresholds.

BMI ranges for men and women

For example, a 5’5” woman with a BMI of 22 is within the healthy range, while a man of the same height and BMI may have less body fat. Muscle mass skews the number, which is why the NHS (UK health authority) cautions that the calculator “cannot tell the difference between muscle and fat.”

Bottom line: For UK adults, BMI is a useful starting point, but it should be combined with waist circumference and body composition measurements for a more accurate picture.

The implication: relying solely on a single number can mislead, especially for those with high muscle mass or different ethnic backgrounds.

How much should I weigh for my height in the UK?

NHS BMI calculator

The NHS (UK health authority) provides a dedicated tool for adults 18+ that outputs your BMI and weight category. Enter your weight in stone or kg and your height in feet/inches or metres. The calculator also gives equivalent values: 70kg is around 11 stone.

For children aged 2–17, the NHS has a separate children and teenagers BMI calculator (NHS) that uses percentile charts.

Healthy weight range in stone and kg

The following table shows healthy weight ranges by height.

Height‑based healthy weight ranges (NHS reference)
Height Healthy weight (kg) Healthy weight (stone)
5’0″ (152 cm) 46–58 kg 7.2–9.1 st
5’5″ (165 cm) 55–68 kg 8.7–10.7 st
5’10” (178 cm) 63–78 kg 9.9–12.3 st
6’0″ (183 cm) 68–84 kg 10.7–13.2 st

One stone is exactly 6.35 kg, so converting is straightforward. The NHS example of 70kg ≈ 11 stone gives a handy mental shortcut.

Why this matters

UK readers accustomed to stone units can use the NHS calculator to avoid awkward decimal conversions. Knowing that 11 stone is roughly 70 kg helps you quickly assess where you fall on the BMI scale.

What this means: having a mental shortcut in stone units makes the NHS calculator even more practical for daily use.

What is the ideal weight for an older woman?

Age-related weight changes

The Rush University Medical Center (academic medical centre) publishes height‑weight charts that adjust for age, noting that a slightly higher BMI (up to 27) may be acceptable for people over 60.

BMI considerations for older adults

Rush’s chart suggests that a 5’5” woman aged 60+ could weigh up to 74 kg (about 11.7 stone) and still be considered in a healthy range – higher than the standard BMI cutoff. The key is that muscle loss and bone density changes make BMI less reliable as the sole measure.

The NHS (UK health authority) advises older adults to consult their GP for a personalised assessment rather than relying solely on a BMI number.

Bottom line: For older women, a BMI of 24–27 may be healthier than a lower one, provided waist size stays under 88 cm (35 inches). Muscle mass and bone health should be part of the conversation.

The pattern: age-related changes shift the healthy weight window upward, but only when combined with other health markers.

Is 11 stone big for a woman?

What does 11 stone mean in kg?

11 stone = 11 × 6.35 kg = 69.85 kg. This is the weight the NHS uses as a rough conversion example.

Whether 11 stone is “big” depends entirely on height. The Medical News Today (health journalism) summary highlights that weight perception varies with stature and composition.

Height context

BMI for a woman weighing 11 stone (69.85 kg) at different heights
Height BMI Category
5’2″ (157 cm) 28.3 Overweight
5’5″ (165 cm) 25.7 Overweight
5’8″ (173 cm) 23.3 Healthy weight
5’11” (180 cm) 21.5 Healthy weight

A 5’4” woman at 11 stone would have a BMI around 27.8 – borderline overweight. A 5’10” woman at the same weight would be well within the healthy range.

The NHS (UK health authority) states that a BMI of 25–29.9 is overweight, so at 5’4”, 11 stone is overweight.

The catch

“Big” is a subjective term. A woman with high muscle mass (e.g., from strength training) may weigh 11 stone and be lean, while the same weight on someone with less muscle could carry more body fat. The scale alone never tells the full story.

The implication: context – especially muscle mass – is essential before labelling a weight as “big”.

What is my ideal weight calculator by age?

Age-based weight charts

  • The CDC and WHO provide growth charts for children, but no official “ideal weight by age” chart exists for adults (CDC (US public health agency))
  • Rush University Medical Center and AARP offer age‑adjusted ranges for older adults

The Calculator.net (third‑party tool) gives formula‑based ideal weight estimates, but these are not evidence‑based standards for clinical use.

Limitations of age-only calculations

Age alone is a poor predictor of ideal weight. Two women of the same age, height, and frame can have vastly different healthy weights depending on muscle and fat distribution. The Rush University Medical Center (academic medical centre) chart combines height and frame size to offer a better guide.

For children, age is critical because it correlates with developmental stage. The NHS children’s calculator uses percentile curves adjusted for age and sex.

The trade‑off

If you’re an adult looking for an “ideal weight by age” number, you won’t find one that’s universally accepted. Instead, focus on BMI, waist circumference, and how your clothes fit. For older adults, a slightly higher BMI (24–27) may be protective against bone loss and illness.

The catch: age alone is too crude a metric; combine it with height and body composition for a meaningful assessment.

What’s confirmed, what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Healthy BMI range is 18.5–24.9 (NHS 111 Wales (UK health service))
  • BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test (NHS (UK health authority))
  • 11 stone = 69.85 kg (NHS adult BMI calculator)

What’s unclear

  • The exact ideal weight for a given age depends on muscle mass, bone density, ethnicity, and overall composition (Healthline (health information publisher))
  • For older adults, a BMI up to 27 may be acceptable – but no official consensus exists (AARP (advocacy organisation))
  • Ethnicity affects BMI interpretation; people of South Asian descent may have higher health risks at lower BMI thresholds (NHS BMI calculator landing page)

The pattern: BMI remains a useful screening tool, but its limitations are increasingly acknowledged, especially for older adults and non‑white populations.

Expert perspectives

BMI is a useful starting point but not diagnostic of body fatness or health.

Rush University Medical Center (academic medical centre)

Use the NHS BMI calculator for adults aged 18 and over.

NHS (UK health authority)

These expert voices reinforce that BMI is a starting point, not a finish line. The NHS itself stresses its limitations, while Rush offers adjusted ranges for older patients.

Summary: What this means for you

For UK readers wondering how much they should weigh, the answer is not one number but a range shaped by height, age, and muscle. The NHS BMI calculator remains the best starting point. For older women and athletes, consulting a healthcare provider for waist measurement or body composition analysis is the smarter move. For the average UK adult, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 – which often translates to 8½–12½ stone depending on height – is the safe target. UK adults should ignore the fads: the evidence hasn’t changed.

Additional sources

sunraysurgery.nhs.uk, diabetesmyway.nhs.uk, youtube.com

For those wondering what weight aligns with their height and age, this guide to healthy weight ranges provides a detailed breakdown using the same BMI and chart-based approach.

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Frequently asked questions

What if my BMI is over 30?

A BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese. The NHS (UK health authority) advises consulting your GP for a personalised weight management plan. Surgery or medical intervention may be considered depending on risk factors.

Can BMI be inaccurate for athletes?

Yes. Because BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat, athletes with high muscle mass may be misclassified as overweight or obese. The NHS (UK health authority) explicitly notes this limitation.

Should I use my weight in stones or kg?

Either works. The NHS calculator accepts both units. Stones are common in the UK, but kg are often used in medical settings. 1 stone = 6.35 kg. The key is consistency.

What is the ideal weight for a 6 foot man?

A 6’0″ (183 cm) man in the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) would weigh between 68 kg (10.7 stone) and 84 kg (13.2 stone). The exact ideal depends on frame size, muscle mass, and age.

How often should I check my weight?

Weekly weighing is enough for most adults, preferably at the same time of day. Daily fluctuations from water retention can be misleading. Focus on trends over months, not daily swings.

Is waist circumference a better measure than BMI?

Waist circumference is a strong predictor of visceral fat and cardiovascular risk. The NHS (UK health authority) recommends keeping waist size below 94 cm (37 inches) for men and 80 cm (31.5 inches) for women – regardless of BMI.