Ideal Weight and BMI at 159 cm
Weight ranges for each BMI band at 159 cm, listed under both Asia-Pacific and WHO criteria so you can tell which standard a given health report is using.
The formula
BMI = weight(kg) ÷ height(m)² = weight ÷ 2.5281159 cm is 1.59 m, which squares to 2.5281. Dividing a weight by that number gives the BMI. The commonly quoted "reference weight" is the weight at BMI 22, which is 55.6 kg at this height.
Weight by BMI band at 159 cm (Asia-Pacific criteria)
| Category | BMI | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | 46.8 kg and below |
| Normal | 18.5 – 23 | 46.8 – 58.1 kg |
| Pre-obese | 23 – 25 | 58.1 – 63.2 kg |
| Obesity I | 25 – 30 | 63.2 – 75.8 kg |
| Obesity II | 30 – 35 | 75.8 – 88.5 kg |
| Obesity III | ≥ 35 | 88.5 kg and above |
Asia-Pacific criteria treat BMI 23 as the start of the pre-obese range, reflecting observations that people of Asian descent tend to carry a higher body-fat percentage and metabolic risk at the same BMI.
The same height under WHO criteria
| Category | BMI | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | 46.8 kg and below |
| Normal | 18.5 – 25 | 46.8 – 63.2 kg |
| Overweight | 25 – 30 | 63.2 – 75.8 kg |
| Obesity I | 30 – 35 | 75.8 – 88.5 kg |
| Obesity II | 35 – 40 | 88.5 – 101.1 kg |
| Obesity III | ≥ 40 | 101.1 kg and above |
The WHO normal range extends to BMI 25. At 159 cm, anything between 58.1 kg and 63.2 kg is classified differently depending on which standard is applied. If a health report seems to disagree with a calculator, this is usually why.
BMI by weight
| Weight | BMI | Asia-Pacific | WHO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 kg | 17 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 46.8 kg | 18.5 | Normal | Normal |
| 50.6 kg | 20 | Normal | Normal |
| 54.4 kg | 21.5 | Normal | Normal |
| 58.1 kg | 23 | Pre-obese | Normal |
| 61.9 kg | 24.5 | Pre-obese | Normal |
| 65.7 kg | 26 | Obesity I | Overweight |
| 69.5 kg | 27.5 | Obesity I | Overweight |
| 73.3 kg | 29 | Obesity I | Overweight |
| 77.1 kg | 30.5 | Obesity II | Obesity I |
| 80.9 kg | 32 | Obesity II | Obesity I |
What BMI cannot see
BMI uses only height and weight, so it cannot separate muscle from fat. Someone with substantial muscle mass can register as overweight while carrying little fat, and someone at a normal weight can still have a high body-fat percentage. Waist circumference, body-fat percentage, and blood work carry the rest of the picture. For children and adolescents, age-specific growth percentiles replace the adult cut-offs entirely.
The BMI and BMR guide covers this in more depth.
Basal metabolic rate and daily calories
To go beyond BMI and calculate basal metabolic rate (BMR) and daily energy expenditure (TDEE), use the full health calculator.
Open Health CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What is a healthy weight for someone 159 cm tall?
The BMI-22 reference weight is 55.6 kg, and the normal band runs 46.8–58.1 kg under Asia-Pacific criteria. These are statistical reference points rather than an individual health assessment.
What weight range is a normal BMI at 159 cm?
46.8 kg up to 58.1 kg by Asia-Pacific criteria, or up to 63.2 kg by WHO criteria.
Why are there two sets of thresholds?
Asia-Pacific criteria were introduced because people of Asian descent tend to show higher body fat and metabolic risk at the same BMI. Health checks in Korea generally apply the Asia-Pacific cut-offs.
Is my weight sent to a server?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is transmitted.
All calculations on this page run in your browser. Your input is never sent to a server.