What’s the Ideal Weight for Men?

Published: 2025-04-16

Updated: 2025-04-17

4 mins

When it comes to determining the ideal weight for men, there’s no universal number that applies for everyone. That’s because a healthy weight for a man depends on several factors – including height, age, muscle mass, and even genetics. What’s considered ideal for one person may be too low or too high for another. 

In this article, we’ll break down some of the key elements that influence weight (like age and height) and explore how different methods are used to estimate healthy weight ranges for men. 

“Ideal” vs. “Average” Weight for Men

If you’re wondering if your weight is considered healthy, normal, or even ideal, a simple Google search may leave you more confused or discouraged than before. When you type something into your search bar like “ideal weight for men” or “average weight for a man,” and you’ll likely see a quick number pop up – something you might instantly compare yourself to without much context.

But while these results are easy to find, they often blur the lines between two very different concepts.

The average weight for men is just that – a statistical average, often based on large national surveys. It reflects what most men in a given population currently weigh, not what they necessarily should weigh from a health standpoint.

On the other hand, ideal weight for men refers to a range that's considered healthy based on height, body composition, and long-term health outcomes. It’s usually calculated using medical guidelines or tools like BMI or the Hamwi formula – but even those numbers don’t account for differences in muscle mass, genetics, or lifestyle.

So while the average might tell you where you stand in relation to the population, the ideal is more about where you stand in relation to your health. And the two don’t always align.

Height Matters: What is the Average Weight for Men by Height?

One of the most important factors in determining a healthy weight is height. Taller men naturally carry more weight due to a larger frame and greater lean body mass, while shorter men tend to weigh less. That’s why a man’s height is the first detail most healthcare providers ask for when evaluating whether his weight falls into a healthy range.

For example, the average weight for a 5'10” male is typically a bit higher than that of a man who’s 5'9", simply because of the extra inches of bone and muscle mass. In general, weight increases in proportion to height – but where your weight falls within that range can depend on other factors like body composition, age, and activity level.

To give you a better idea of how height and weight typically align, here’s a look at some of the most commonly searched height-to-weight averages:

• The average weight for a 5'9” male is typically around 170 to 175 pounds.

• For someone 5'10", that range increases slightly to about 175 to 180 pounds.

• And the average weight for a 6-foot male often falls between 180 and 190 pounds.

These numbers can be a helpful starting point, but they don't tell the whole story. Whether your weight is considered healthy depends on more than height alone – tools like BMI or a height-weight chart can offer more context.

Age and Body Composition: How Weight Changes Over Time

Even if your height stays the same, your body’s relationship with weight doesn’t. As men age, metabolism slows down, muscle mass gradually declines, and fat distribution often shifts – especially around the midsection. These changes are natural, but they do affect what might be considered a healthy or ideal weight over time.

In younger years, men typically carry more lean muscle, which weighs more than fat. That’s why a man in his 20s or 30s might have a higher weight but still fall within a healthy range – because much of that weight comes from muscle.

But as testosterone levels decline and activity levels change with age, maintaining muscle becomes harder. By the 40s and 50s, it’s common to see a gradual increase in body fat and a loss in lean mass – even if the scale doesn’t change much. That shift in body composition can impact overall health, even when weight stays relatively stable.

This is why ideal weight isn’t a fixed number throughout life. A healthy 60-year-old might weigh the same as he did at 30, but have a very different body composition. That’s where tools like body fat percentage and waist circumference can provide a more accurate picture of health than weight alone.

In short, as you get older, maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about the number – it’s about what that number is made of.

Tools to Identify Healthy Weight for Men

Whether you're looking for a rough guideline or a more personalized calculation, here are a few of the most common methods used to assess weight and health.

BMI (body mass index)

BMI is one of the most widely used screening tools for identifying whether someone falls into a healthy weight range. It’s calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²). The result places you into one of four general categories:

• Underweight: BMI below 18.5

• Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9

• Overweight: 25 to 29.9

• Obese: 30 and above

For men, BMI offers a quick reference point, but it’s far from perfect. One of its biggest limitations is that it doesn’t account for muscle mass versus fat mass. A muscular man with low body fat might technically fall into the "overweight" category on the BMI scale. That’s why BMI is best viewed as a starting point, not a definitive answer.

Hamwi formula and other ideal weight equations

Another tool used in clinical settings is the Hamwi formula, which provides a simple estimate of ideal body weight based on height. For men, the formula is:

106 pounds for the first 5 feet of height, plus 6 pounds for each additional inch.

So, for a man who’s 5'10", the ideal weight according to Hamwi would be roughly 166 pounds.

Healthcare professionals may use this formula as a baseline to assess nutritional needs or guide treatment planning. Other similar equations – like the Devine or Robinson formulas – use slight variations but serve the same purpose: offering a quick, height-based estimate of where a man's weight should roughly fall.

Height and weight charts for men

For those who prefer a more visual approach, a height weight chart male can be especially helpful. These charts, sometimes labeled as weight chart for men or men's weight chart, typically show ideal or healthy weight ranges for each height, often broken down by body frame size (small, medium, or large).

There are several types of these charts:

• Medical guidelines (like CDC or WHO charts)

• Life insurance tables, which were some of the earliest versions and are still referenced today

• Fitness-oriented charts focused more on lean body mass and athletic builds

A height and weight chart for men or ideal weight chart for men is often used in gyms, clinics, and wellness programs. And for people who find numbers abstract, a men's height to weight table can be an easier way to understand where they stand.

While none of these tools are perfect on their own, using them together can help paint a clearer picture of your overall health – and offer insight into whether your current weight falls into a healthy, sustainable range.

Realistic Ranges: Why There’s No Single “Perfect” Number

When it comes to healthy weight, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer because there’s no one-size-fits-all body. What’s considered a healthy weight for one man might be completely off the mark for another, even if they’re the same height or age.

Bone structure, ethnicity, and lifestyle can all play a role in determining what a healthy weight looks like on your frame. For example, someone with a naturally broader build may weigh more without carrying excess fat, while another man with a slimmer frame may be perfectly healthy at a lighter weight.

Your personal health goals also matter. If you’re focused on building strength, your weight might rise as you gain lean muscle. If endurance and cardiovascular health are your priorities, you might aim for a different balance of body composition. In both cases, weight alone doesn’t define success or wellness.

That’s why healthy weight should always be viewed as a range, not a fixed number – and ideally, that range is tailored to you. For the most accurate and relevant guidance, it’s worth having a conversation with a healthcare provider who can factor in your medical history, lifestyle, and goals.

How Rex MD Can Help

If you’re looking for weight loss support beyond charts and calculators, Rex MD can help. For men who qualify, medical treatments like GLP-1 medications can offer a clinically guided path toward sustainable weight loss, when paired with expert oversight and personalized care. 

The Rex MD Weight Management Program is a cutting-edge, online healthcare service designed to provide qualifying patients with access to brand-name GLP-1 treatments. 

Just answer some questions about your medical history and weight loss goals and your healthcare provider will determine if GLP-1 treatment is right for you. If prescribed, a personalized treatment plan is created and your prescription is sent directly to your door.

Get started today.