What is the ideal weight range for a 5-foot female based on body mass index (BMI)?

Ideal Weight Range for a 5-Foot Female

For a 5-foot (60 inches) tall female, the ideal weight range is approximately 97-123 pounds (44-56 kg), corresponding to a healthy BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m².1

Calculation Method

• Using the modified Devine's formula for ideal body weight: 48.67 kg (107 pounds) represents the baseline ideal weight for a 5-foot female (since this height equals exactly 5 feet with no additional inches above that threshold).1

• The healthy BMI range of 18.5-24.9 kg/m² translates to specific weight boundaries for someone who is 5 feet (1.52 meters) tall:1, 2

  • Lower limit (BMI 18.5): approximately 97 pounds (44 kg)
  • Upper limit (BMI 24.9): approximately 123 pounds (56 kg)

Weight Classification Thresholds

• Underweight: Less than 97 pounds (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²)1

• Normal/Healthy weight: 97-123 pounds (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²)1, 2

• Overweight: 124-148 pounds (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²)1, 2

• Obese: 149 pounds or greater (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)1, 2

Clinical Significance and Health Implications

Maintaining weight within the healthy BMI range (97-123 pounds for a 5-foot female) reduces risk of multiple cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and overall mortality.1, 3

• Both underweight and overweight/obese categories are associated with increased mortality risk compared to the normal BMI range, with the lowest mortality observed in the BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² category.3

• Obesity significantly increases cancer risk for breast (postmenopausal), colon, endometrium, esophageal adenocarcinoma, kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, thyroid, ovary, and cervix, as well as multiple myeloma and aggressive prostate cancer.1

• Overweight and obesity are major risk factors not only for cancer but also for diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart disease.1

Important Caveats

• BMI has limitations: It does not directly measure body fat or account for individual differences in body composition, muscle mass, or fat distribution.2

• Waist circumference should be measured alongside BMI for more complete risk assessment. For women, waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) indicates increased cardiovascular risk even if BMI is in the normal range.1, 2

• For Asian populations, lower thresholds apply: Overweight is defined as BMI ≥ 23 kg/m² and obesity as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² due to higher body fat percentages and visceral adiposity at lower BMI values.2

• Body fat percentage may be a better predictor of mortality risk than BMI alone in younger adults, though BMI remains the standard clinical measure.4

Weight Management Approach

Even modest weight loss of 5-10% can produce meaningful health improvements for those above the healthy weight range, even if ideal body weight is not achieved.5

• Weight management requires balancing energy intake with physical activity—a reduction of 500 calories per day is a common initial goal for weight loss.1

• Up to 60-90 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day may be needed to sustain weight loss for previously overweight individuals.1