With obesity on the rise worldwide and in the United States, the average American man is overweight. While the average weight for men varies depending on height and geographic location, it's important to note that average and healthy weight are not the same.
Men (and women) who carry excess weight are at a greater risk for health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Find out how the average male weight by height compares to other averages over the years and what you can do to maintain a healthy weight.
What Is the Average Male Weight?
The average man in the U.S. over the age of 20 weighs 199.8 pounds (90.62kg). Note that weight tends to increase with age, with older men weighing about 200 pounds (90.72kg). However, after age 70, weight tends to decrease with age, with the average man weighing about 193.4 pounds (87.72kg).
What Is a Healthy Weight for Men?
Almost three out of every four men in the U.S. is considered to be either overweight or obese. However, the number on the scale can often be misleading. If you suspect you might be overweight, rather than comparing your weight with the average weight of other men your age, calculate your body mass index (BMI) instead.
BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a BMI between 25 and 29.9 signifies overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more signifies obesity. This BMI calculator can provide you with an estimate.
Keep in mind that BMI is only one way to assess weight and doesn’t account for body composition (amount of fat and muscle). Two men could have the same BMI, but for one man, the number may represent an acceptable weight, while for the other, it may represent a risky one.
Looking at average weights can be deceptive. A man's height, the measurement of his middle, his genetics, and even his ethnicity all play a part in his overall health regardless of what he weighs.
The following table compares the average weight and BMI for American men in different age groups based on an average height of about 69 inches, which is 5'9" (175.3cm). Note that the average BMI scores are above 25, which is considered overweight. In addition, an ideal weight for a man this height is about 152 pounds with a BMI of 22.
| Average Weight for Adult Men in the U.S. (2015–2018) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Average weight |
| 20–29 | 188.6lb (85.54kg) |
| 30–39 | 208.1lb(94.39kg) |
| 40-49 | 206.9lb (93.85kg) |
| 50-59 | 202.5lb (91.85kg) |
| 60-69 | 201.2lb(91.26kg) |
| 70-79 | 193.4lb (87.72kg) |
| 80 and over | 177.5lb (80.51kg) |
If you need to lose weight, see your doctor. They can help you come up with a safe, manageable plan for weight loss.
How Has the Average Weight for Men Changed?
BMI, weight, height, and head circumference measurements have been collected in the U.S. since the mid-1950s. They've revealed, not surprisingly, that men have been getting taller—and heavier—over the decades.
A report published in 1959 showed the average weight of male adults (those ages 20 and over) in the U.S. ranged from 151 pounds for a man 5 feet, 4 inches tall to 186 pounds for a 6-foot, 1-inch tall man. At those weights, the BMI of the shorter man would be about 26, and the BMI of the taller man would be 24.5. By today's standards, the shorter man would be considered overweight, and the taller man would be on the higher side of what's regarded as a normal weight.
Regarding height and weight trends, the average height of a man in the U.S. increased by just 1 inch in the 42 years between 1960 and 2002. However, during that same period, the average weight of an American male jumped from around 166 pounds to 191 pounds.
Average Male Weight in the U.S. (1960–2002)
The biggest increases were found in older men:
- Men between the ages of 40 and 49 saw an average weight increase of 27 pounds.
- Men between the ages of 50 and 59 logged an increase of 28 pounds.
- Men 60 and older saw an increase of 33 pounds.
How to Manage Your Weight
Looking at the average weights for men can provide some general guidelines for what other people tend to weigh, but these numbers aren't meant to indicate a healthy weight for each individual.
Maintaining a healthy weight includes a reduced risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other forms of chronic illness. Managing your weight can also help you to live longer. Try these strategies to reach a weight that is healthy for you.
- Have realistic weight goals: Diets that promise quick weight loss rarely work in the long term. Most experts agree that a healthy and steady rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week. Set realistic and sustainable weight loss goals for yourself to promote weight management.
- Eat a healthy diet: Nutrition that includes a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats from nutrient-dense whole foods is key to managing your weight and maintaining overall health.
- Stay active: While eating healthy is essential, regular exercise that includes at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity and two sessions of strength training per week can promote weight loss and weight management. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions.
- Get enough rest: Research shows that not getting enough sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances, making it more difficult to lose weight and increasing the risk of obesity. Getting enough sleep will also help to ensure you have enough energy to exercise. In addition, you'll be more likely to make healthy food choices when you're well-rested.
Beginner's Guide to How to Set Exercise and Weight Loss Goals
A Word From Verywell
From a broad perspective, these types of statistics can offer up an idea of the general health of the male population. They can help you to see where you fall within the statistics, which can be a powerful incentive to lose weight or exercise more if it's clear you're on the higher end of the range for your height and age. Of course, you'll want to get your doctor's perspective as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average weight for an 18-year-old man?
According to the National Health and Statistics, the average weight for an 18-year-old male is 166.7 pounds. That amount has gradually increased over the years, up from 128 pounds in the 1970s.
How do you calculate the average body weight for men?
The ideal average body weight for men is usually calculated in kilograms: 52 kg + 1.9 kg for each inch over 5 feet. Therefore, the average weight for a man who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall is 71 kilograms or 156.5 pounds. However, the ideal average body weight varies based on body mass index (BMI) and other factors such as age, muscle tone, athleticism, and body frame size.
(Video) What is normal Weight according to Height, How to calculate Body Mass Index BMI, Normal Range of BMIWhat is the average height of a man in the U.S.?
The average height of a man in the United States is 5'9", which is 69 inches, or 175.3 centimeters.
How reliable is BMI as a measurement?
BMI is not very reliable for individual use. It is meant as a general population statistic. The heavier you are, the more accurate it may be when categorizing overweight and obesity. However, for young people, muscular people, and older individuals, BMI is not accurate. Muscular people are often determined to be overweight when their body composition and weight is very healthy.
Learn More:Why BMI Is Not Always The Best Metric
10 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
De Lorenzo A, Gratteri S, Gualtieri P, Cammarano A, Bertucci P, Di Renzo L. Why primary obesity is a disease?.J Transl Med. 2019;17(1):169. doi:10.1186/s12967-019-1919-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Health and Statistics. Anthropomorphic Reference Data for Children and Adults: 2015-2018.
Fryar CD, Kruszon-Moran D, Gu Q, Ogden CL. Mean body weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index among adults: United States, 1999-2000 through 2015-2016. National Health Statistics Reports; No. 122. National Center for Health Statistics, 2018.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. BMI tools.
Peterson CM, Thomas DM, Blackburn GL, Heymsfield SB.Universal equation for estimating ideal body weight and body weight at any BMI.Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(5):1197-203. doi:10.3945/ajcn.115.121178
Ogden CL, Fryar CD, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. Mean body weight, height, and body mass index, United States 1960–2002. Advance Data From Vital and Health Statistics; no. 347. National Center for Health Statistics, 2004.
Flegal KM, Kit BK, Orpana H, Graubard BI. Association of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity using standard body mass index categories: A systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA. 2013;309(1):71-82. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.113905
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do adults need?.
Kubota Y, Evenson KR, Maclehose RF, Roetker NS, Joshu CE, Folsom AR. Physical activity and lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017;49(8):1599-1605. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000001274
Nedeltcheva AV, Kilkus JM, Imperial J, Schoeller DA, Penev PD.Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity.Ann Intern Med. 2010;153(7):435-441. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-153-7-201010050-00006
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Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years.
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FAQs
What is the average weight for a male? ›
How much does the average American man weigh? The average American man 20 years old and up weighs 197.9 pounds . The average waist circumference is 40.2 inches, and the average height is just over 5 feet 9 inches (about 69.1 inches) tall. As time wears on, American men are increasing in both stature and weight.
How much should a 5'11 male weigh? ›| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Ideal Weight | Ideal Weight |
| 5′ 11″ | 155 – 189 lbs. | 140 – 171 lbs. |
| 6′ 0″ | 160 – 196 lbs. | 144 – 176 lbs. |
| 6′ 1″ | 166 – 202 lbs. | 149 – 182 lbs. |
| Height | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| 5' 6" | 118 to 154 lbs. | 155 to 185 lbs. |
| 5' 7" | 121 to 158 lbs. | 159 to 190 lbs. |
| 5' 8" | 125 to 163 lbs. | 164 to 196 lbs. |
| 5' 9" | 128 to 168 lbs. | 169 to 202 lbs. |
If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range. If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the Healthy Weight range. If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.
What weight is overweight for a man? ›| Height | Weight Range | Considered |
|---|---|---|
| 5′ 9″ | 124 lbs or less | Underweight |
| 125 lbs to 168 lbs | Healthy weight | |
| 169 lbs to 202 lbs | Overweight | |
| 203 lbs or more | Obesity |
- 5'5: 160 pounds.
- 5'6: 165 pounds.
- 5'7: 170 pounds.
- 5'8: 175 pounds.
- 5'9: 180 pounds.
- 5'10: 185 pounds.
- 5'11: 190 pounds.
- 6'0: 200 pounds.
| Average Weight for Adult Men in the U.S. (2015–2018) | |
|---|---|
| 30–39 | 208.1lb (94.39kg) |
| 40-49 | 206.9lb (93.85kg) |
| 50-59 | 202.5lb (91.85kg) |
| 60-69 | 201.2lb (91.26kg) |
The weight of a 19-29 years old boy should be 83.4 kg, while the weight of a girl should be up to 73.4 kg. Weight of a boy between 30-39 years should be up to 90.3 kg, while the weight of a girl should be up to 76.7 kg. Weight of a 40-49 years old boy should be 90.9 kg, while a girl should weigh 76.2 kg.
How much should a 6ft man weigh? ›The Metropolitan Life Insurance chart reports that a 6-foot man's ideal weight is 148 to 158 pounds if his frame is small, 154 to 170 pounds if it's medium and 164 to 184 pounds if it's large. All numbers are based on wearing clothes, including shoes with 1-inch heels.
Is it normal to gain weight as you age? ›As you age, your muscle mass decreases and your fat mass increases. Fat is less metabolically active than muscle—you don't need as many calories to maintain fat as you do to maintain muscle. Hormonal changes can also lead to weight gain.
What is a good weigh in day? ›
Research suggests that the best day for weekly weigh-ins is Wednesday. You perhaps had weekend splurges, like eating out or drinking alcohol, and may have started eating healthy again in the run-up to hump day.
What is a healthy body? ›Physical (Body)
A healthy body is maintained by good nutrition, regular exercise, avoiding harmful habits, making informed and responsible decisions about health, and seeking medical assistance when necessary.
A person weighing 180 pounds and being 6'2” is a normal weight; however, a person weighing 180 pounds and standing 5'2” is considered obese.
Is 170 pounds overweight for a man? ›Add a pound and the same person has a BMI of 25 and is considered overweight. At 170 pounds this person has a BMI of 40 and is considered obese. Someone 6 feet tall and 180 pounds would have a BMI of 24.4 and would be obese at 230 pounds. The National Institutes of Health has a BMI calculator online here.
Am I fat if I weigh 170 pounds? ›Average American weights heights are considered obese -- about 170 lbs./5'3” for women and 197 lbs./5'9” for men -- so “average” doesn't mean “healthy.” A person's ideal weight depends on a number of factors, such as: Gender.
What is the most attractive height and weight for a man? ›The 'Perfect' Man
The average 'perfect man' would be just a tad taller than 6 feet with a weight of 187lbs. That's roughly the size of Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum or Gerard Butler, in case you were wondering. They also collected data on the most desirable body traits and body parts.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| 5' 10" | 149 - 183 lbs. | 135 - 165 lbs. |
| 5' 11" | 155 - 189 lbs. | 140 - 171 lbs. |
| 6' 0" | 160 - 196 lbs. | 144 - 176 lbs. |
| 6' 1" | 166 - 202 lbs. | 149 - 182 lbs. |
It's right on the edge of overweight BMI (anything over 25 is overweight).
What should a 72 year old man weigh? ›| Age group (years) | Average weight (pounds) | Average height (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 20–39 | 196.9 | 69.3 |
| 40–59 | 200.9 | 69.2 |
| 60 and over | 194.7 | 68.3 |
| all groups | 197.6 | 69.2 |
Doctors recommend most adults keep their BMI between 18 and 24.9. Adults with a BMI over 25 are considered overweight and a BMI over 30 is considered obese. On the other hand, older adults do better if they have a BMI between 25 and 27.
What weight should I be at 70 years old? ›
| Age | People AMAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults ages 50-59 | 169 or lower | 225 or higher |
| Adults ages 60-69 | 168 or lower | 227 or higher |
| Adults ages 70-79 | 167 or lower | 216 or higher |
| Adults ages 80 and over | 152 or lower | 198 or higher |
Everybody is different, and various factors play a role in determining each person's ideal weight. These factors can be biological, such as age, height, and natal sex, but mental factors can be just as important. An individual may define their ideal weight as the one with which they feel the most comfortable.
What age do you weigh 50 pounds? ›| Age | Height Females in Inches | Weight Males in Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 37 to 42.5 | 30 to 44 |
| 6 | 42 to 49 | 36 to 60 |
| 8 | 47 to 54 | 46 to 78 |
| 10 | 50 to 59 | 54 to 102 |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , a 12-year-old boy's weight usually falls between 67 and 130 pounds, and the 50th percentile weight for boys is 89 pounds.
How long does it take to lose 20 pounds? ›Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week ( 1 ). This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.
Is 200 pounds overweight for 6 foot? ›according to your body mass index, you are obese. this might not be bad. if you exercise a lot and have lots of muscles then your weight could be high because of that. but if you're just big, then yes it could be a problem since you are obese.
How can I lose 10 pounds in a month? ›- Try cardio for weight loss. ...
- Eat fewer refined carbs. ...
- Start counting calories. ...
- Choose better beverages. ...
- Eat slowly. ...
- Add fiber to your diet. ...
- Eat a high protein breakfast. ...
- Get enough sleep every night.
No, you are not overweight. Your BMI falls within the normal weight category at 22.3.
Is 200 pounds overweight? ›According to a BMI calculator a person that is 5′5 and 200lbs has a BMI of 33.3 which is considered “obese”.
How much should I weigh according to age? ›| Age (years) | Lower percentile weight (lbs) | “Average” percentile weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 14–15 | 85–95 or less | 90–141 |
| 15–16 | 95–104 or less | 100–152 |
| 16–17 | 104–112 or less | 110–160 |
| 17–18 | 112–117 or less | 117–166 |
What should a 22 year old boy weigh? ›
The weight of a 19-29 years old boy should be 83.4 kg, while the weight of a girl should be up to 73.4 kg. Weight of a boy between 30-39 years should be up to 90.3 kg, while the weight of a girl should be up to 76.7 kg.
Is 180 pounds overweight for a man? ›For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, a doctor can't label you as overweight or underweight without considering how tall you are. A person weighing 180 pounds and being 6'2” is a normal weight; however, a person weighing 180 pounds and standing 5'2” is considered obese.
Is 150 pounds overweight? ›Your weight (150 pounds) is in the Healthy Weight category for adults of your height (5 feet, 9 inches). BMI is a screening measure and is not intended to diagnose disease or illness. For more information, visit About Adult BMI.
Is 20 pounds overweight noticeable? ›Carrying an extra 20 pounds can have a noticeable impact on your body, and you may feel a range of physical and emotional effects throughout the day. Here are some potential sensations you might experience: Increased fatigue: Carrying extra weight can make you feel more tired and fatigued throughout the day.
What weight is dangerously obese? ›Individuals are usually considered morbidly obese if their weight is more than 80 to 100 pounds above their ideal body weight. A BMI above 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese and therefore a candidate for bariatric surgery.
How bad is it to be 100 pounds overweight? ›Severe obesity is typically defined as being 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight or having a body mass index (BMI) over 40. According to the NIH Consensus Report, severe obesity is a serious chronic disease, meaning that its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time.
Does age matter in weight? ›Older adults tend to lose muscle and bone, so more of their body weight is likely to come from fat. Younger people and athletes may weigh more due to strong muscles and denser bones. These realities can skew your BMI number and make it less accurate for predicting exact body fat levels.
Does my age affect my weight? ›The amount of body fat goes up steadily after age 30. Older people may have almost one third more fat compared to when they were younger. Fat tissue builds up toward the center of the body, including around the internal organs. However, the layer of fat under the skin gets smaller.
Do you weigh more as you age? ›As we get older, our bodies don't respond the same way to weight loss efforts, and science has some explanations to offer. As we age we naturally tend to gain weight, to the tune of 1 to 2 pounds (lb) per year, according to a review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
How much should 6 foot man weigh? ›| Height | Normal weight BMI 19–24 | Overweight BMI 25–29 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft (72 in) | 140–177 lb | 184–213 lb |
| 6 ft 1 in (73 in) | 144–182 lb | 189–219 lb |
| 6 ft 2 in (74 in) | 148–186 lb | 194–225 lb |
| 6 ft 3 in (75 in) | 152–192 lb | 200–232 lb |
How much should 5 10 man weigh? ›
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| 5' 10" | 149 - 183 lbs. | 135 - 165 lbs. |
| 5' 11" | 155 - 189 lbs. | 140 - 171 lbs. |
| 6' 0" | 160 - 196 lbs. | 144 - 176 lbs. |
| 6' 1" | 166 - 202 lbs. | 149 - 182 lbs. |
| Height | Weight Range | Weight Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5′ 9″ | 124 lbs or less | Underweight |
| 125 lbs to 168 lbs | Healthy Weight | |
| 169 lbs to 202 lbs | Overweight | |
| 203 lbs or more | Obesity |