What Is the Average Weight for Men?

Average weights for men vary by factors such as height and age and only provide a general look at what other people tend to weigh. These numbers aren't meant to indicate a healthy weight for each individual. Plus, a variety of factors contribute to weight and no single formula can accurately determine a person's healthy weight.

Find out how the average male weight by height compares to other averages over the years and get tips for healthy behaviors that can be helpful for managing weight and promoting general health regardless of numbers on the scale.

What Is the Average Male Weight?

The average man in the U.S. over the age of 20 weighs 199.8 pounds (90.62kg). Note that weight tends to increase with age, with older men weighing about 200 pounds (90.72kg). However, after age 70, weight tends to decrease with age, with the average man weighing about 193.4 pounds (87.72kg).

What Is a Healthy Weight for Men?

In general, men (and women) who carry excess weight are at a greater risk for health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Almost three out of every four men in the U.S. is considered to be either overweight or obese. However, the number on the scale as well as a calculation of body mass index (BMI) can each be misleading. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

If you suspect you might be overweight and want to calculate your BMI, just keep in mind that BMI is only one way to assess weight and doesn’t account for body composition (amount of fat and muscle). Two men could have the same BMI, but for one man, the number may represent an healthy weight, while for the other, it may represent a risky one.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a BMI between 25 and 29.9 signifies overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more signifies obesity. This BMI calculator can provide you with an estimate.

Weight Chart for Men

The following table compares the average weight and BMI for American men in different age groups based on an average height of about 69 inches, which is 5-foot, 9-inches tall (175.3cm). Note that the average BMI scores are above 25, which is considered overweight. In addition, an ideal weight for a man this height is about 152 pounds with a BMI of 22.

How Has the Average Weight for Men Changed?

BMI, weight, height, and head circumference measurements have been collected in the U.S. since the mid-1950s. They've revealed, not surprisingly, that men have been getting heavier over the decades.

A report published in 1959 showed the average weight of male adults (those ages 20 and over) in the U.S. ranged from 151 pounds for a man 5 feet, 4 inches tall to 186 pounds for a 6-foot, 1-inch tall man. At those weights, the BMI of the shorter man would be about 26, and the BMI of the taller man would be 24.5. By today's standards, the shorter man would be considered overweight, and the taller man would be on the higher side of what's regarded as a normal weight.

Regarding height and weight trends, the average height of a man in the U.S. increased by just 1 inch in the 42 years between 1960 and 2002. However, during that same period, the average weight of an American male jumped from around 166 pounds to 191 pounds.

By 2018, the average weight was more than 199 pounds, yet average height was similar to what it was in 2000 (about 5-foot, 9-inches tall).

How to Manage Your Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight includes a reduced risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other forms of chronic illness. Managing your weight can also help you to live longer. Try these strategies to reach a weight that is healthy for you.

• Have realistic weight goals: Diets that promise quick weight loss rarely work in the long term. Most experts agree that a healthy and steady rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week. Set realistic and sustainable weight loss goals for yourself to promote weight management.
• Eat a healthy diet: Nutrition that includes a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats from nutrient-dense whole foods is key to managing your weight and maintaining overall health.
• Stay active: While eating healthy is essential, regular exercise that includes at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity and two sessions of strength training per week can promote weight loss and weight management. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions.
• Get enough rest: Research shows that not getting enough sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances, making it more difficult to lose weight or maintain weight and increasing the risk of obesity. Getting enough sleep will also help to ensure you have enough energy to exercise. In addition, you'll be more likely to make healthy food choices when you're well-rested.

From a broad perspective, these types of statistics can offer up an idea of the general health of the male population. They can help you to see where you fall within the statistics, which can be a powerful incentive to lose weight or exercise more if it's clear you're on the higher end of the range for your height and age. Of course, you'll want to get your healthcare provider's perspective as well.