Ideal Weight for 5'8" Men
💪What Does 5'8" at 149 lbs Look Like?
Reference only. Actual appearance varies by muscle mass and genetics. See all body fat percentages →
149
avg ideal (lbs)
122-164
healthy range
22.7
BMI at midpoint
±21
lbs variance
A healthy weight for a 5'8" man is approximately 122-164 lbs based on BMI guidelines. Multiple formulas suggest a midpoint around 149 lbs (BMI 22.7). Your ideal weight depends on muscle mass, bone structure, and body fat percentage.
📊4 Formula Comparison
| Method | Weight (lbs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BMI Range | 122-164 | Healthy BMI 18.5-24.9 |
| Robinson (1983) | 148 | Updated clinical formula |
| Miller (1983) | 149 | Population-based estimate |
| Devine (1974) | 151 | Original clinical formula |
| Formula Average | 149 | Midpoint of Robinson, Miller, Devine |
BMI Range
Healthy BMI 18.5-24.9
122-164
Robinson (1983)
Updated clinical formula
148
Miller (1983)
Population-based estimate
149
Devine (1974)
Original clinical formula
151
Formula Average
Midpoint of all formulas
149
⚖️Weight Range Breakdown
🏋️Body Composition Breakdown
At 149 lbs with 15% body fat (ACE Fitness category):
127 lbs
Lean Mass (85%)
22 lbs
Fat Mass (15%)
Lean mass includes muscle, bone, organs, and water. Building muscle while maintaining body fat increases lean mass and improves your physique at the same weight.
🔥Daily Calorie Target at 149 lbs
Estimated daily calories to maintain 149 lbs using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation (age 30 estimate):
1,932
Sedentary
desk job, little exercise
2,496
Moderate
exercise 3-5x/week
2,777
Active
exercise 6-7x/week
These are maintenance calories. Subtract 500 cal/day to lose ~1 lb/week. Add 300 cal/day to gain muscle. Get your exact TDEE →
🥩Daily Protein Target
104g
Minimum
0.7g/lb
119g
Recommended
0.8g/lb
149g
Athletic
1.0g/lb
At 149 lbs, aim for 119-149g protein daily. This supports muscle maintenance, recovery, and satiety. Spread across 3-4 meals for optimal absorption.
📈How Does This Compare?
US Average Man
200
lbs at 5'9"
-51 lbs
Your Ideal Weight
149
lbs at 5'8"
Your ideal weight of 149 lbs is 51 lbs below the average American man (200 lbs at 5'9"). The average is above healthy BMI range, so being below it is a positive sign. Source: CDC NHANES 2023-2024.
📐Adjust for Your Frame Size
Measure your wrist circumference at the narrowest point (just below the wrist bone) to determine your frame size:
Small
Wrist < 6.5"
143 lbs
-6 lbs
Medium
Wrist 6.5" - 7.5"
149 lbs
baseline
Large
Wrist > 7.5"
155 lbs
+6 lbs
Frame size affects how much bone and muscle you naturally carry. Larger-framed people are healthy at higher weights. These adjustments are based on the Hamwi method (1964).
Weight alone doesn't tell the story
At the same weight, you could be 15% or 25% body fat. Find out which.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does frame size affect ideal weight?▼
Yes. People with larger bone structures (wider wrists, broader shoulders) naturally weigh more at the same height and body fat. The formulas above provide averages. If you have a large frame, you may be healthy at the upper end of the range (164 lbs). Small-framed individuals may be healthy at the lower end (122 lbs).
How can I reach my ideal weight at 5'8"?▼
If you are above the healthy range, create a moderate calorie deficit of 500 cal/day for ~1 lb/week loss. If below, add a 300-500 calorie surplus. In both cases, prioritize protein (0.8-1g per lb body weight) and resistance training. Use our TDEE calculator to find your maintenance calories and our cutting or bulking guides for a structured plan.
How much should a 5'8" man weigh?▼
A healthy weight for a 5'8" man is approximately 122-164 lbs based on BMI guidelines (18.5-24.9). Multiple formulas (Robinson, Miller, Devine) suggest a midpoint around 149 lbs. However, ideal weight varies significantly based on muscle mass, bone structure, and body fat percentage.
What is a healthy BMI for someone who is 5'8"?▼
A healthy BMI range is 18.5-24.9 regardless of height. For someone 5'8", this translates to 122-164 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.
At 149 lbs, are you lean or carrying extra fat?
Weight alone doesn't tell the story. Two men at 5'8" and 149 lbs can look completely different. FitCommit's AI body scan shows your actual body fat percentage in 60 seconds.
Find Out Your Body Fat %Free 1-month trial. Cancel anytime.
Related Resources
Weight Is Just a Number
A 5'8" man at 149 lbs could be lean and muscular or carrying excess fat. FitCommit's AI body scan shows your actual body fat percentage, lean mass, and what you'd look like at your goal.
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