BMI for 5′6″ and 255 lb
BMI = 41.2 (Obesity class III)
An adult who is 5′6″ tall and weighs 255 lb has a body mass index of 41.2. The healthy weight range for this height (BMI 18.5–24.9) is about 115 lb to 154 lb.
For adults 20 and over. BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.
How this BMI is calculated
- Height in inches: 5 × 12 + 6 = 66 in; squared: 4,356.
- BMI = 703 × weight ÷ height²: 703 × 255 ÷ 4,356 = 41.2.
BMI Prime (BMI ÷ 25) is 1.65: values above 1.0 are above the healthy range.
At this height, a weight of 154 lb or less corresponds to a BMI under 25.
BMI chart for 5′6″
| 100 lb | 16.1 | Underweight (moderate thinness) |
| 110 lb | 17.8 | Underweight (mild thinness) |
| 120 lb | 19.4 | Healthy weight |
| 130 lb | 21.0 | Healthy weight |
| 140 lb | 22.6 | Healthy weight |
| 150 lb | 24.2 | Healthy weight |
| 160 lb | 25.8 | Overweight |
| 170 lb | 27.4 | Overweight |
| 180 lb | 29.1 | Overweight |
| 190 lb | 30.7 | Obesity class I |
| 200 lb | 32.3 | Obesity class I |
| 210 lb | 33.9 | Obesity class I |
| 220 lb | 35.5 | Obesity class II |
| 230 lb | 37.1 | Obesity class II |
| 240 lb | 38.7 | Obesity class II |
| 250 lb | 40.4 | Obesity class III |
| 260 lb | 42.0 | Obesity class III |
| 270 lb | 43.6 | Obesity class III |
| 280 lb | 45.2 | Obesity class III |
| 290 lb | 46.8 | Obesity class III |
| 300 lb | 48.4 | Obesity 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′6″ and 255 lb?
A BMI of 41.2, which the WHO classifies as Obesity class III 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.