The ideal weight for 5'8 male in kg lies between about 55.2 and 68.3 kg. A man of 172.7 cm in that range has a BMI from 18.5 to 22.9, healthy by Indian guidance; the WHO band reaches 74.3 kg.
Formulas for men give roughly 67.2 to 69.6 kg at this height. Many 5'8 men who exercise sit near the top of the band or a little above it, so this page also covers how to judge muscle against fat.
Quick numbers
Height
5 feet 8 inches = 172.7 cmHealthy, Indian bands
55.2 to 68.3 kgWHO upper limit
74.3 kgMale formula average
68.2 kgWaist warning
over 90 cm
Ideal weight for 5'8 male in kg across the bands
| Band | BMI | Weight at 5'8 (172.7 cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 55.2 kg |
| Healthy, Indian adults | 18.5 to 22.9 | 55.2 to 68.3 kg |
| Healthy, WHO | 18.5 to 24.9 | 55.2 to 74.3 kg |
| Overweight, Indian adults | 23 to 24.9 | 68.3 to 74.6 kg |
| Obese, Indian adults | 25 and above | 74.6 kg and above |
| Obese, WHO | 30 and above | 89.5 kg and above |
A 5'8 man weighing 55 to 68 kg is in the healthy zone. From about 75 kg the Indian guidelines start to use the word obese, which surprises many men used to WHO numbers.
172 cm and 173 cm height ideal weight
| Height | In feet | Healthy range (Indian bands) | WHO upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 172 cm | 5 ft 7.7 in | 54.7 to 67.7 kg | 73.7 kg |
| 173 cm | 5 ft 8.1 in | 55.4 to 68.5 kg | 74.5 kg |
A 172 cm height ideal weight falls between 54.7 to 67.7 kg, and 172 cm in feet comes out at 5 ft 7.7 in. A 173 cm height ideal weight is 55.4 to 68.5 kg. So the 172 cm ideal weight male figure and the 173 cm ideal weight male figure are within a kilo of the 5'8 band. If you typed 5 feet 8 inches in cm ideal weight male into a search box, the conversion is 172.72 cm.
5'8 by formula
| Formula | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Devine | 63.9 kg | 68.4 kg |
| Robinson | 62.6 kg | 67.2 kg |
| Miller | 64.0 kg | 67.5 kg |
| Hamwi | 63.1 kg | 69.6 kg |
| Average of four | 63.4 kg | 68.2 kg |
BMI at 172.7 cm
| Weight | BMI | Band |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg | 16.8 | Underweight |
| 53 kg | 17.8 | Underweight |
| 56 kg | 18.8 | Healthy |
| 59 kg | 19.8 | Healthy |
| 62 kg | 20.8 | Healthy |
| 65 kg | 21.8 | Healthy |
| 68 kg | 22.8 | Healthy |
| 71 kg | 23.8 | Overweight (India), normal (WHO) |
| 74 kg | 24.8 | Overweight (India), normal (WHO) |
| 77 kg | 25.8 | Obese (India), overweight (WHO) |
| 80 kg | 26.8 | Obese (India), overweight (WHO) |
| 83 kg | 27.8 | Obese (India), overweight (WHO) |
| 86 kg | 28.8 | Obese (India), overweight (WHO) |
| 89 kg | 29.8 | Obese (India), overweight (WHO) |
| 92 kg | 30.8 | Obese |
Gym goers at 5'8
A trained man of 5'8 at 75 kg has a BMI of 25.1. If his waist is under 85 cm and body fat under 18 percent, that weight is mostly muscle and is not a health worry. If the waist is over 90 cm, the extra kilos are mostly fat whatever the gym routine. The tape based body fat tool settles the question in five minutes.
A 5'8 woman
Women of 172.7 cm are tall in India. The healthy band in kg is shared, 55.2 to 68.3 kg, while formulas for women give about 63.4 kg. A tall, active woman will usually feel strongest in the middle of the band.
Food and activity at 5'8
Take a 30 year old man at 172.7 cm and 68 kg who exercises most days; his maintenance is about 2,502 kcal. To build muscle, add a 250 to 350 kcal surplus with 1.6 g of protein per kg. To trim fat, go 400 to 500 kcal below it. Nearby heights: 5'7 and 5'9.
Men with chest pain, high blood pressure or diabetes should get a doctor's okay before heavy training.
Frequently asked questions
What is the right weight for a 5'8 man?
Indian cut-offs give 55.2 to 68.3 kg; the WHO ceiling is 74.3 kg.
Is 72 kg good for 5'8?
72 kg gives BMI 24.1: overweight on Indian bands, normal by WHO. A lean waist makes it fine.
Is 80 kg overweight for a 5'8 man?
80 kg gives BMI 26.8. Unless you are very muscular, it is above the healthy range.
What is 172 cm in feet?
5 feet 7.7 inches, which most people round to 5'8.
Ideal weight for 5'8 male without muscle?
Aim for the middle of the band, around 63 kg.
Does age change the ideal weight at 5'8?
No. The adult band is the same at every age, though waist size and muscle need more attention after 40.
Sources
- World Health Organization BMI classification
- Indian consensus guidelines on obesity for Asian Indians
- Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas