Is 170 lbs overweight for 5'8"?

Yes — 170 lbs is 6 lbs above the healthy upper limit for 5'8".

At 170 lbs (77.1 kg) and 5'8" (172.7 cm), the BMI is 25.9overweight.

At 172.7 cm, the BMI-based healthy weight range spans 122 kg to 164 kg, with the midpoint considered the most statistically protective.

What this means

This BMI band typically becomes more health-relevant when paired with a waist measurement above 94 cm (men) or 80 cm (women).

Practical next steps

  1. Create a modest caloric deficit of 250–500 kcal/day for steady, sustainable loss.
  2. Combine cardio with strength training to preserve muscle.
  3. Track waist measurement — it often improves before scale weight.
  4. Reduce ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks first.

Frequently asked questions

Is 170 lbs overweight for 5'8"?

170 lbs at 5'8" gives a BMI of 25.9, which is overweight. The healthy range for 5'8" is 122–164 lbs.

What is the healthy weight for 5'8"?

122–164 lbs.

Sources & references