Asian BMI Chart: Height and Weight Table for Adults (kg and lb)
Last updated 2026-10-24 · 1162 words · Medically reviewed by: [Reviewer name, SLMC reg. no.]
Most BMI charts online use the global WHO cutoffs, in which a BMI of 25 is overweight and 30 is obese. For people of Asian descent these numbers can be falsely reassuring. Research shows that Asians carry more body fat, especially deep abdominal fat, at the same BMI, and have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease at lower weights. The chart below uses the WHO recommended action points for Asian populations, so you can see where you stand. Prefer to type your own numbers? Use our Asian and WHO BMI calculator.
Asian BMI categories at a glance
- Below 18.5: underweight
- 18.5 to 22.9: healthy range (low risk)
- 23.0 to 27.4: increased risk
- 27.5 and above: high risk
For comparison, the global WHO chart defines 18.5 to 24.9 as normal, 25 to 29.9 as overweight and 30 or above as obese.
Asian height and weight chart for adults
The table shows weight ranges in kilograms and pounds for each height. Find your height in the left column, then read across.
| Height | Underweight | Healthy (18.5-22.9) | Increased risk (23-27.4) | High risk (27.5+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 cm (4'9") | under 39 kg (86 lb) | 39-48 kg (86-106 lb) | 49-57 kg (108-126 lb) | 58 kg+ (128 lb+) |
| 150 cm (4'11") | under 42 kg (93 lb) | 42-51 kg (93-112 lb) | 52-61 kg (115-134 lb) | 62 kg+ (137 lb+) |
| 155 cm (5'1") | under 45 kg (99 lb) | 45-55 kg (99-121 lb) | 56-65 kg (123-143 lb) | 66 kg+ (146 lb+) |
| 160 cm (5'3") | under 48 kg (106 lb) | 48-58 kg (106-128 lb) | 59-70 kg (130-154 lb) | 71 kg+ (157 lb+) |
| 165 cm (5'5") | under 51 kg (112 lb) | 51-62 kg (112-137 lb) | 63-74 kg (139-163 lb) | 75 kg+ (165 lb+) |
| 170 cm (5'7") | under 54 kg (119 lb) | 54-66 kg (119-146 lb) | 67-79 kg (148-174 lb) | 80 kg+ (176 lb+) |
| 175 cm (5'9") | under 57 kg (126 lb) | 57-70 kg (126-154 lb) | 71-83 kg (157-183 lb) | 84 kg+ (185 lb+) |
| 180 cm (5'11") | under 60 kg (132 lb) | 60-74 kg (132-163 lb) | 75-88 kg (165-194 lb) | 89 kg+ (196 lb+) |
| 185 cm (6'1") | under 64 kg (141 lb) | 64-78 kg (141-172 lb) | 79-93 kg (174-205 lb) | 94 kg+ (207 lb+) |
| 190 cm (6'3") | under 67 kg (148 lb) | 67-82 kg (148-181 lb) | 83-98 kg (183-216 lb) | 99 kg+ (218 lb+) |
| 195 cm (6'5") | under 71 kg (157 lb) | 71-87 kg (157-192 lb) | 88-104 kg (194-229 lb) | 105 kg+ (231 lb+) |
Weights are rounded to whole kilograms and apply to adults aged 18 and over. Heights between rows can be estimated, or use our healthy weight calculator for an exact range.
How to use the chart
- Measure your height without shoes and your weight in light clothing, ideally in the morning.
- Find your height in the table and see which column your weight falls into.
- If you are in the increased-risk or high-risk columns, do not panic. Check your waist as well, because belly fat is the main driver of risk.
- If you are underweight, speak to your doctor, especially if the weight loss was unplanned.
Waist size matters as much as BMI
A person can have a healthy BMI and still carry harmful belly fat. For Asians, central obesity is suggested by a waist of 90 cm (35.5 in) or more in men and 80 cm (31.5 in) or more in women. Another easy rule is to keep your waist below half your height. Try our waist-to-height ratio calculator.
How cutoffs differ by country
Countries in Asia have adapted the WHO recommendations, so you may see slightly different labels:
- Singapore: the Health Promotion Board describes 18.5 to 22.9 as healthy, 23 to 27.4 as moderate risk and 27.5 or more as high risk.
- Hong Kong: the Department of Health uses 18.5 to 22.9 as normal, 23 to 24.9 as overweight and 25 or more as obese.
- South Korea: guidelines classify 23 to 24.9 as overweight (pre-obese) and 25 or more as obese.
- Japan: obesity is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, and a BMI of about 22 is considered the standard weight. Japan's metabolic syndrome checks also use waist limits of 85 cm for men and 90 cm for women.
- Sri Lanka and India: guidelines generally follow the WHO Asian cutoffs, and India's consensus guidelines label 23 to 24.9 as overweight and 25 or more as obese.
Always check the guidance used by your own doctor, since labels differ even when the underlying risk is the same.
Limits of any BMI chart
BMI cannot tell fat from muscle, so it may overestimate fat in athletes and underestimate it in older adults who have lost muscle. It does not apply to children, pregnant women, or people with swelling. For a fuller picture, doctors also look at waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Read our longer article on BMI for Asians for more detail.
What to do if your BMI is in the risk range
- Aim for a 5 to 10% weight loss over six months. This lowers blood sugar and blood pressure significantly.
- Use our TDEE calculator to find a modest calorie deficit.
- Cut sugary drinks and refined starches, eat more vegetables, pulses and fish, and walk briskly for at least 150 minutes a week.
- Get your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol checked. See early symptoms of diabetes.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your BMI is 27.5 or above, if it is 23 or above and you have diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver, PCOS or a family history of heart disease, or if your BMI is below 18.5 or you are losing weight without trying.
References
- WHO Expert Consultation: appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. The Lancet, 2004
- WHO Western Pacific Region, International Association for the Study of Obesity, International Obesity Taskforce: the Asia-Pacific perspective, redefining obesity and its treatment
- Health Promotion Board Singapore; Department of Health Hong Kong; Japan Society for the Study of Obesity; Korean Society for the Study of Obesity: national classifications
Frequently asked questions
What is the healthy BMI range for Asians?
18.5 to 22.9 under the WHO Asian-Pacific recommendations. A BMI of 23 to 27.4 is increased risk, and 27.5 or more is high risk.
Why is the Asian BMI chart different from the standard chart?
Asians tend to have more body fat, especially abdominal fat, at the same BMI, and develop diabetes and heart disease at lower weights, so risk is flagged earlier.
Does the Asian BMI chart apply to children?
No. Children's BMI is compared with age- and sex-specific growth charts, not these adult cutoffs.
Is a BMI of 24 overweight for an Asian?
Under Asian-Pacific cutoffs, yes. It is in the increased-risk range (23 to 27.4), and some countries label 23 to 24.9 as overweight.
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