Is 150 lbs overweight for a woman at 5'5"?
No — 150 lbs is within the healthy range for 5'5" (for a woman).
At 150 lbs (68 kg) and 5'5" (165.1 cm) for a woman, the BMI is 24.9 — normal weight.
At 165.1 cm, the BMI-based healthy weight range spans 111 kg to 150 kg, with the midpoint considered the most statistically protective.
What the numbers mean for you
You have 0 lbs (0.1 kg) of headroom before crossing into overweight (BMI 25 = 150 lbs (68.1 kg)).
Your BMI band midpoint is BMI 21.7 (130 lbs (59.1 kg)), often used as the "most protective" reference in cohort studies.
Timelines assume ~7,700 kcal per kg of body fat. Real progress varies with muscle mass, adherence, and medications.
What this means
Staying inside this band is associated with the most favourable metabolic markers in adult populations under 65.
Waist matters more than the scale
Two people can share the same BMI and have very different metabolic risk. For that reason, waist circumference is now considered a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic disease than BMI alone.
- Waist-to-height rule: keep your waist under half your height — that means below 83 cm (33") at 165.1 cm.
- Absolute cutoff for women: waist under 80 cm (31.5") is associated with meaningfully lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Higher-risk zone: waist above 88 cm (35") — this is where risk climbs sharply regardless of BMI.
For women at 5'5"
BMI uses the same formula for both sexes, but health interpretation differs. Women typically carry a higher percentage of body fat at the same BMI than men. A waist circumference under 35 inches (88 cm) lowers cardiometabolic risk independent of BMI.
Precise ±5 lb neighbours at this height
| Weight | Conversion | BMI | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 145 lbs | 65.8 kg | 24.1 | Normal weight |
| 146 lbs | 66.2 kg | 24.3 | Normal weight |
| 147 lbs | 66.7 kg | 24.5 | Normal weight |
| 148 lbs | 67.1 kg | 24.6 | Normal weight |
| 149 lbs | 67.6 kg | 24.8 | Normal weight |
| 150 lbs ← this page | 68 kg | 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 151 lbs | 68.5 kg | 25.1 | Overweight |
| 152 lbs | 68.9 kg | 25.3 | Overweight |
| 153 lbs | 69.4 kg | 25.5 | Overweight |
| 154 lbs | 69.9 kg | 25.6 | Overweight |
| 155 lbs | 70.3 kg | 25.8 | Overweight |
Practical next steps
- Maintain at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Include two strength sessions to preserve lean mass with age.
- Monitor waist circumference yearly — under 94 cm (men) / 80 cm (women).
- Get a routine metabolic panel every 1–2 years.
Frequently asked questions
Is 150 lbs overweight for a woman at 5'5"?
150 lbs at 5'5" gives a BMI of 24.9, which is normal weight. The healthy range for 5'5" is 111–150 lbs.
What is the healthy weight for 5'5"?
111–150 lbs.
What waist size is healthy for a woman at 5'5"?
Under 35 inches (88 cm) is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.