BMI for 5′4″ and 170 lb

BMI = 29.2 (Overweight)

An adult who is 5′4″ tall and weighs 170 lb has a body mass index of 29.2. The healthy weight range for this height (BMI 18.5–24.9) is about 108 lb to 145 lb.

For adults 20 and over. BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.

How this BMI is calculated

  1. Height in inches: 5 × 12 + 4 = 64 in; squared: 4,096.
  2. BMI = 703 × weight ÷ height²: 703 × 170 ÷ 4,096 = 29.2.

BMI Prime (BMI ÷ 25) is 1.17: values above 1.0 are above the healthy range.

At this height, a weight of 145 lb or less corresponds to a BMI under 25.

BMI chart for 5′4″

100 lb17.2Underweight (mild thinness)
110 lb18.9Healthy weight
120 lb20.6Healthy weight
130 lb22.3Healthy weight
140 lb24.0Healthy weight
150 lb25.7Overweight
160 lb27.5Overweight
170 lb29.2Overweight
180 lb30.9Obesity class I
190 lb32.6Obesity class I
200 lb34.3Obesity class I
210 lb36.0Obesity class II
220 lb37.8Obesity class II
230 lb39.5Obesity class II
240 lb41.2Obesity class III
250 lb42.9Obesity class III
260 lb44.6Obesity class III
270 lb46.3Obesity class III
280 lb48.1Obesity class III
290 lb49.8Obesity class III
300 lb51.5Obesity class III

BMI categories for adults (WHO)

  • Under 18.5: underweight
  • 18.5–24.9: healthy weight
  • 25–29.9: overweight
  • 30 or more: obesity (class I 30–34.9, II 35–39.9, III 40+)

For people of Asian descent, health risks rise at lower BMIs, and 23 and 27.5 are often used as action points. BMI does not separate muscle from fat, so very muscular people can have a high BMI without excess fat. It is a screening tool; talk to a health professional about your own situation.

Nearby heights

Frequently asked questions

What is the BMI of someone 5′4″ and 170 lb?

A BMI of 29.2, which the WHO classifies as Overweight for adults.

How is BMI calculated?

BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared: BMI = kg ÷ m². In US units, BMI = 703 × pounds ÷ inches².

What is a healthy BMI?

For adults the World Health Organization classes 18.5 to 24.9 as a healthy weight, 25 to 29.9 as overweight and 30 or more as obesity. For people of Asian descent, lower cut-offs (23 and 27.5) are often used for health risk.

Is BMI accurate?

BMI is a quick screening measure, not a diagnosis. It does not distinguish muscle from fat, so it can overestimate fat in athletes and underestimate it in older adults. Waist size and other checks give a fuller picture.