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A healthy weight for a 5'1" man is approximately 98-132 lbs based on BMI guidelines. Multiple formulas suggest a midpoint around 120 lbs (BMI 22.7). Your ideal weight depends on muscle mass, bone structure, and body fat percentage.
| Method | Weight (lbs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BMI Range | 98-132 | Healthy BMI 18.5-24.9 |
| Robinson (1983) | 119 | Updated clinical formula |
| Miller (1983) | 127 | Population-based estimate |
| Devine (1974) | 115 | Original clinical formula |
| Formula Average | 120 | Midpoint of Robinson, Miller, Devine |
120
avg ideal (lbs)
98-132
BMI range (lbs)
22.7
BMI at midpoint
98-132
full range (lbs)
Two people at 5'1" and 120 lbs can look very different depending on body fat percentage. Explore what each level looks like:
A healthy BMI range is 18.5-24.9 regardless of height. For someone 5'1", this translates to 98-132 lbs. BMI is a rough screening tool and does not distinguish between muscle and fat. A muscular person may have a high BMI while being perfectly healthy.
120 lbs at 5'1" gives a BMI of 22.7, which falls in the healthy range. This is near the midpoint of the healthy weight range for this height. Whether this is ideal for you depends on your body composition, muscle mass, and fitness goals.
Each formula was developed from different population samples and uses different methodologies. The Devine formula (1974) was originally for drug dosing, not fitness. Robinson (1983) and Miller (1983) updated these estimates. BMI-based ranges are the most widely used. No single formula is perfect because ideal weight depends on individual factors like muscle mass and frame size.
Body fat percentage is more useful than BMI for fitness goals. BMI only uses height and weight, so it misclassifies muscular people as overweight. Body fat percentage directly measures how much of your weight is fat tissue. Use BMI as a rough screening tool and body fat percentage for detailed body composition assessment.
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