Army height and weight calculator

Joining the U.S. military requires meeting specific physical standards, including height and weight requirements. These standards ensure that all recruits are fit and ready for the demands of military service. Let’s break down the key points about these requirements and other physical fitness expectations.

Height and Weight Standards

The U.S. military uses height and weight standards based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Your weight must fall within a certain range that corresponds to your height. Here’s a quick overview of the height requirements:

• Men: 58 inches to 80 inches (147 cm to 203 cm)
• Women: 58 inches to 72 inches (147 cm to 183 cm)

There isn’t a single weight limit. Instead, your weight should fit within a specific range based on your height and gender. For detailed weight ranges, you can check the charts on the official recruiting websites of each military branch.

BMI Requirements

BMI is a crucial factor in determining if you meet the military’s height and weight standards. The acceptable BMI range is:

If you don’t meet the initial weight requirements, some branches may offer programs to help you get in shape before starting basic training. Additionally, even if you meet the height and weight requirements, you might need to pass a body fat percentage assessment.

Calculate Your Military BMI: You can use our tool on this website to check your height and weight against military BMI requirements. This will help you see if you meet the standards or if you need to make adjustments.

Physical Fitness Requirements

Apart from height and weight, recruits must pass physical fitness tests. These tests include exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and running. The exact requirements can vary between branches and can change over time. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

U.S. Army

• Push-ups:
  • Men (17-21 years): Minimum 42 in 2 minutes
  • Women (17-21 years): Minimum 19 in 2 minutes
• Running:
  • Men: 2-mile run in 15:54 minutes
  • Women: 2-mile run in 18:54 minutes

U.S. Navy

• Push-ups:
  • Men (17-19 years): Minimum 51 in 2 minutes
  • Women (17-19 years): Minimum 24 in 2 minutes
• Running:
  • Men: 1.5-mile run in 12:15 minutes
  • Women: 1.5-mile run in 14:45 minutes

U.S. Marine Corps

• Push-ups (optional, if not doing pull-ups):
  • Men (17-26 years): Minimum 42 in 2 minutes
  • Women (17-26 years): Minimum 19 in 2 minutes
• Pull-ups:
  • Men: Minimum 3 (max 23 for 100 points)
  • Women: Minimum 1 (max 12 for 100 points)
• Running:
  • Men: 3-mile run in 28:00 minutes (minimum) or 18:00 minutes (maximum score)
  • Women: 3-mile run in 31:00 minutes (minimum) or 21:00 minutes (maximum score)

U.S. Air Force

• Push-ups:
  • Men (17-29 years): Minimum 33 in 1 minute
  • Women (17-29 years): Minimum 18 in 1 minute
• Running:
  • Men: 1.5-mile run in 13:36 minutes
  • Women: 1.5-mile run in 16:22 minutes

U.S. Coast Guard

• Push-ups:
  • Men (17-29 years): Minimum 29 in 1 minute
  • Women (17-29 years): Minimum 15 in 1 minute
• Running:
  • Men: 1.5-mile run in 12:51 minutes
  • Women: 1.5-mile run in 15:26 minutes

Top 3 Items That Can Help You Pass the Test

1. Pull-up Bar     
   There's no better way to improve at pull-ups than simply doing them. If you don't have an outdoor workout area nearby and don't want to pay for a gym membership just to use a pull-up bar, the easiest solution is to have a simple bar that fits most door frames.     
   MISSING ADP21    
   
    
2. Resistance Bands - Your Path to the First Pull-Up     
   If you struggle to do even a few pull-ups, resistance bands are a great way to progress easily. You can start with the strongest band (or multiple bands) that allows you to do 5+ pull-ups. This helps you focus on technique and gets you into a rep range that will grow your muscles the fastest. Your goal is to gradually add repetitions and use weaker bands until you can perform pull-ups without assistance. Remember, learning good technique—especially ensuring your chin is above the bar at the end—is crucial to passing the test, especially when you get tired.     
   MISSING ADP22    
   
    
3. Good Running Shoes     
   If you want to improve your running, you will need to run regularly. Good shoes can make running easier on your joints and help with your running technique. Make sure your shoes fit perfectly, because shoes that are too big or too small will become very uncomfortable after some distance and may cause blisters.    
   MISSING ADP23    
    

Checking Current Standards

Physical requirements can change, so it’s important to check the latest standards on the official recruiting websites for each branch of the military:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marines

Meeting the height, weight, and physical fitness requirements is the first step toward a rewarding career in the U.S. military. Always check the latest requirements to ensure you’re on track for your enlistment goals.