Is 150 lbs overweight for a man at 5'5"?
No — 150 lbs is within the healthy range for 5'5" (for a man).
At 150 lbs (68 kg) and 5'5" (165.1 cm) for a man, the BMI is 24.9 — normal weight.
Public-health guidelines place the ideal weight for 165.1 cm tall adults at 111–150 kg, equivalent to a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
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
This range corresponds to the lowest statistical risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in long-term cohort studies.
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 men: waist under 94 cm (37") is associated with meaningfully lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Higher-risk zone: waist above 102 cm (40") — this is where risk climbs sharply regardless of BMI.
For men at 5'5"
BMI uses the same formula for both sexes, but health interpretation differs. Men typically carry a lower percentage of body fat at the same BMI than women. A waist circumference under 40 inches (102 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 man 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 man at 5'5"?
Under 40 inches (102 cm) is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.