In the United States, the average male ages 20 years or older weighs 199.8 pounds (lbs). However, weight depends on many factors, such as country, race, and age. An average weight is not necessarily the same as a healthy weight.
A person’s ideal weight depends on several factors, including their height and build. Maintaining a good weight is important for health and can reduce the risk of developing serious conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
This article looks at the average weight in men and how this varies between different groups and world regions. It also discusses how to determine a healthy weight for a man, as well as risk factors for being overweight, and what men can do to improve their weight.
Fast facts on the average weight for men:
- Country, race, height, and age are all factors that affect the average.
- The average weight for a particular group of people is not necessarily a healthy weight.
- Both men and women are becoming heavier and with that come potential health risks.
There is no simple answer to this question.
When only talking about the U.S., then the average man, 20 years of age or older, weighs 199.8 pounds (lbs). He also stands around 5 feet 9 inches tall and has a waist circumference of 40.5 inches. This is
In contrast, the average U.S. woman is both lighter and shorter, weighing 170.8 lbs, standing 5 feet 3.5 inches tall, and having a waist of 38.7 inches.
Within the U.S., the average weight for men varies with age. Younger and older men tend to weigh less than those in middle age.
Another factor is racial background. For example, non-Hispanic Asian men tend to be lighter but also shorter, on average, than Black, white, or Mexican-American men.
| Age group (years) | Average weight (pounds) | Average height (inches) |
| 20 and over (all ages) | 199.8 | 69.0 |
| 20 to 29 | 188.6 | 69.2 |
| 30 to 39 | 208.1 | 69.4 |
| 40 to 49 | 206.9 | 69.4 |
| 50 to 59 | 202.5 | 69.0 |
| 60 to 69 | 201.2 | 68.7 |
| 70 to 79 | 193.4 | 68.1 |
| 80 and over | 177.5 | 67.1 |
Table 1. Average weight and height for U.S. men over 20 years of age, according to age group.
| Racial group | Average weight (pounds) | Average height (inches) |
| all groups | 199.8 | 69.0 |
| non-Hispanic white | 203.4 | 69.5 |
| non-Hispanic Black | 200.1 | 69.3 |
| non-Hispanic Asian | 168.1 | 67.1 |
| Hispanic | 193.7 | 67.1 |
| Mexican-American | 196.0 | 67.1 |
Table 2. Average weight and height for U.S. men over 20 years of age according to race.
Average weight globally
At a global level, average weight changes according to country and region.
For instance, North Americans are heavier on average than people from any other geographic region, whereas people in Asia are the lightest, on average, compared to people in all other parts of the world.
This is
| World region | Average weight (pounds) |
| Africa | 133.8 |
| Asia | 127.2 |
| Europe | 156.1 |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 149.7 |
| North America | 177.9 |
| Oceania | 163.4 |
| World | 136.7 |
Table 3. Average weight in adults (men and women combined) by world region
Ideal weight varies from person to person and depends on height, build, and age.
The most widely used method for determining a healthy weight is the body mass index or BMI. This measurement uses height and weight to estimate the proportion of body fat in an individual.
Despite being only an estimate, BMI corresponds reasonably well with more direct approaches for measuring body fat.
Normally, it provides a decent indication as to whether an individual is overweight or underweight for their height. It is also quick, easy, and cheap to perform.
Anyone who knows their height and weight can work out their BMI using tools available on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) site. It includes an
- weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, or kg/m2
- weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared and multiplied by 703, or lbs/inches2 x 703
BMI is interpreted differently for
- below 18.5 is considered underweight
- 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a healthy weight
- 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight
- over 30 is considered obese
Based on a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9,
| Height (inches) | Ideal weight (pounds) |
| 58 (4’10”) | 91–119 |
| 59 (4’11”) | 94–124 |
| 60 (5’0) | 97–128 |
| 61 (5’1) | 100–132 |
| 62 (5’2″) | 104–136 |
| 63 (5’3″) | 107–141 |
| 64 (5’4″) | 110–145 |
| 65 (5’5″) | 114–150 |
| 66 (5’6″) | 118–155 |
| 67 (5’7″) | 121–159 |
| 68 (5’8″) | 125–164 |
| 69 (5’9″) | 128–169 |
| 70 (5’10”) | 132–174 |
| 71 (5’11”) | 136–179 |
| 72 (6′) | 140–184 |
| 73 (6’1″) | 144–189 |
| 74 (6’2″) | 148–194 |
| 75 (6’3″) | 152–200 |
| 76′ (6’4″) | 156–205 |
Table 4. Ideal weight range based on height and a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
BMI does have its limitations. It tends to overestimate or underestimate body fat in
- men, on average,
have less body fat than women - Asian people, on average, have more body fat than white people
- white people, on average, have more body fat than Black people
A high BMI can also result from being lean or muscular, such as in the case of an athlete. This is because muscle is denser and therefore, takes up less area per pound.
The flaws of BMI
BMI is a calculation of a person’s body fat based on their height and weight. However, studies suggest it is a poor indicator of a person’s body fat percentage.
It can be misleading because the measure does not account for overall body composition or capture information on the mass of fat in different body sites. The latter relates to both health and social issues.
BMI cutoff points were generated mostly from the white population, but body fat distribution differs by race and ethnicity.
For additional information, talk with your doctor about other body fat assessment methods.
BMI can also underestimate body fat in older people or those who have lost muscle or bone mass.
As mentioned earlier, the average weight for a group of people is not the same as a healthy weight.
According to the BMI calculator by the
According to
Being overweight or obese puts a person at greater risk of developing:
- type 2 diabetes
- coronary heart disease
- stroke
- high blood pressure
- gallbladder disease
- osteoarthritis
- some types of cancer
- breathing problems, such as sleep apnea
It is usually recommended that people with
- family history of heart disease or diabetes
- high blood pressure, high LDL or low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes
- a waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women
Even losing a small amount of weight can improve overall health, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of developing other conditions.
A doctor can advise on whether a person needs to lose weight or simply stop gaining it. They may also be able to help formulate a weight loss plan or be able to provide access to other professional advice and resources.
General tips for reaching and maintaining an ideal weight include:
Setting specific and achievable goals
“Exercise more” and “eat less” are too vague, whereas “run 10 miles every day” or “lose 10 pounds each week” might be unrealistic.
Committing to walking for 30 minutes each day or losing one to two pounds a week, for example, would be far more sensible goals.
Regular exercise
Adults should aim to get
Activities a person can try to reach this goal may include:
- cycling
- swimming
- brisk walking
- running
- dancing
- tennis
- soccer
If possible, an individual should aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, for five days a week.
Reduce portion sizes
People can try using smaller plates or replacing half of their typical meal with fruit and vegetables. They can also aim to reduce consumption by
Eat healthy
Those wanting to lose weight should focus on eating more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, they should aim to eat leaner meats and get protein from healthier sources, such as:
- poultry
- fish
- beans
- eggs
- nuts
Calculating BMI can help men determine their ideal weight range. Reaching and maintaining that range can improve health and reduce the risk of developing conditions associated with having overweight.