BMI for 5′9″ and 170 lb
BMI = 25.1 (Overweight)
An adult who is 5′9″ tall and weighs 170 lb has a body mass index of 25.1. The healthy weight range for this height (BMI 18.5–24.9) is about 125 lb to 169 lb.
For adults 20 and over. BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.
How this BMI is calculated
- Height in inches: 5 × 12 + 9 = 69 in; squared: 4,761.
- BMI = 703 × weight ÷ height²: 703 × 170 ÷ 4,761 = 25.1.
BMI Prime (BMI ÷ 25) is 1.00: values above 1.0 are above the healthy range.
At this height, a weight of 169 lb or less corresponds to a BMI under 25.
BMI chart for 5′9″
| 100 lb | 14.8 | Underweight (severe thinness) |
| 110 lb | 16.2 | Underweight (moderate thinness) |
| 120 lb | 17.7 | Underweight (mild thinness) |
| 130 lb | 19.2 | Healthy weight |
| 140 lb | 20.7 | Healthy weight |
| 150 lb | 22.2 | Healthy weight |
| 160 lb | 23.6 | Healthy weight |
| 170 lb | 25.1 | Overweight |
| 180 lb | 26.6 | Overweight |
| 190 lb | 28.1 | Overweight |
| 200 lb | 29.5 | Overweight |
| 210 lb | 31.0 | Obesity class I |
| 220 lb | 32.5 | Obesity class I |
| 230 lb | 34.0 | Obesity class I |
| 240 lb | 35.4 | Obesity class II |
| 250 lb | 36.9 | Obesity class II |
| 260 lb | 38.4 | Obesity class II |
| 270 lb | 39.9 | Obesity class II |
| 280 lb | 41.3 | Obesity class III |
| 290 lb | 42.8 | Obesity class III |
| 300 lb | 44.3 | 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′9″ and 170 lb?
A BMI of 25.1, 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.