The U.S. Coast Guard height and weight standards are used to determine whether someone is fit enough to serve as a member of the coast guard or an auxiliary member. These standards maintain that all applicants must be at least 5 feet 5 inches tall for males, with the larger requirement being that all individuals must be at least 5 feet 11 inches tall for females.
For men to serve as members of the coast guard, their weight must fall between 165 pounds to 225 pounds, with a minimum height requirement of 20 years old. Women can join the coast guard at any age, as long as they are able to pass the required fitness tests outlined in this article.
Height and Weight Requirements for Male and Female
As stated above, all coast guard members must be at least 5 feet 5 inches tall for males with a weight requirement of 165 to 225 pounds. For women under the age of 20 years old, they must be between 4 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall with a weight requirement between 120 and 200 pounds. Female members between the ages of 20 and 29 must be between 5 feet 1 inch and 6 feet 2 inches tall with a weight requirement between 120 and 200 pounds. Women over the age of 30 must be at least 5 feet 1 inch tall with a weight requirement between 100 to 210 pounds.
Men under the age of 20 years old must meet requirements that are less stringent, at 5 feet 1 inch tall with a weight requirement of up to 180 pounds. Men between the ages of 20 and 29 must have a weight requirement of 120 to 180 pounds, with a height requirement of up to 5 feet 8 inches. Men over the age of 30 must meet weight requirements between 100 and 180 pounds as well as a height requirement between 4 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 2 inches. Teenage women must be under the age of 20 years old with a weight requirement of fewer than 120 pounds, with a height requirement of up to 4 feet 11 inches. Teenage women between the ages of 20 and 29 must be at least 5 feet 1 inch tall, with a weight requirement between 90 and 120 pounds. Women over the age of 30 must be between 5 feet 1 inch and 6 feet 2 inches tall with a weight requirement between 90 and 200 pounds for men, more stringent requirements for women under 30 years old.
All applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Those who have earned a degree from a U.S. accredited college or university may apply for a commission in the coast guard, but in most cases, they will need to take the appropriate examinations. Applicants must be at least 18 years old before they can enter the examination, and they must also be at least 20 years old to obtain any physical fitness certificates for training or competitions that involve full bodyweight tests.
Those who do not meet the age or weight requirements can still be considered for a place on a program if they first attend a buddy team orientation session. Buddy teams help those who do not meet the school’s academic standards to go on and complete an education, but they must first show potential as a member of the coast guard. This can include taking part in non-academic activities such as swimming, skiing, biking, or working overtime as a crew member. Once the coast guard has decided that the applicant is qualified, they will then be considered for additional tests to complete when they are ready.
Applicants must also fulfill the minimum qualifications when taking the physical fitness tests for fitness training and when taking part in military-style competitions in order to be accepted into a program. Those who do not meet these requirements may still be able to become members of the coast guard by participating in buddy teams or completing their education in some other way.
If you are looking for ideal weight standards and charts, check out the ideal weight calculator available at Hood MWR website. It helps you to determine a healthy weight range based on your height and gender. By using this tool, you can check your BMI, fat percentage, and ideal body weight to comply with Coast Guard height and weight standards.
Coast Guard Height and Weight Requirement Charts
For Coast Guard Height And Weight Requirements, The following tables are taken from the U.S. Coast Guard’s website, but they do not contain separate height and weight charts for females.
| Height (inches) | Min Weight (pounds) | Max Weight (pounds) |
| 58 | 91 | 131 |
| 59 | 94 | 136 |
| 60 | 97 | 141 |
| 61 | 100 | 145 |
| 62 | 104 | 150 |
| 63 | 107 | 155 |
| 64 | 110 | 160 |
| 65 | 114 | 165 |
| 66 | 117 | 170 |
| 67 | 121 | 175 |
| 68 | 125 | 180 |
| 69 | 128 | 186 |
| 70 | 132 | 191 |
| 71 | 136 | 197 |
| 72 | 140 | 202 |
| 73 | 144 | 208 |
| 74 | 148 | 214 |
| 75 | 152 | 220 |
| 76 | 156 | 225 |
| 77 | 160 | 231 |
| 78 | 164 | 237 |
| 79 | 168 | 244 |
| 80 | 173 | 250 |
Body Fat Percentage Requirements
All applicants for any position in the United States Coast Guard must have a body fat percentage that does not exceed a certain level. The following standards apply to males and females:
Male: Less than or equal to 20% body fat.
Female: Less than or equal to 30% body fat.
| Age | Percentage Body Fat for Men | Percentage Body Fat for Women |
| Less than 30 years old | 22% | 32% |
| Less than 40 years old | 24% | 34% |
| Age 40 or greater | 26% | 36% |
For more information, please check out this Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat standards manual.
Related: Army Body Fat Calculator
To make sure you meet the Coast Guard’s body fat percentage requirements, you can use the Army Body Fat Calculator, available at Hood MWR. The calculator allows you to determine your body fat percentage using measurements from your neck, waist, and hips. By entering your measurements into the calculator, you can ensure that you meet the Coast Guard’s strict body fat standards.
Body Mass Index Requirements
Applicants must also pass a body mass index, or BMI, test as part of their physical fitness testing. This test takes into account both their height and weight as well as their overall build. To pass this test, applicants must have a BMI between 25 and 29.9 which is considered just high enough to pass the test with a few minor exceptions. Applicants with a BMI of 30 or higher will need to submit a letter from a doctor stating that they are cleared for duty before they can be fully accepted into the coast guard. People with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are given one year to take part in an approved weight loss program within the coast guard before they will need to be re-tested. Those who pass this test will need to submit a new report from their doctor each year after that, as well as pass the required fitness test every two years.
Another way for applicants to determine whether or not they are qualified enough to join the coast guard is through the use of another type of fitness testing called the Physical Aptitude Battery. This test consists of a series of three parts that are divided into physical endurance, fine motor, and gross motor testing. Applicants must first take a year-long academy program to teach them the activities given for this test. Applicants who pass this test will be considered eligible for a position as a member of the coast guard and will be required to meet the educational requirements discussed above.
Related: BMI Calculator
Physical Aptitude Battery
The first test is a series of activities that measure an applicant’s ability to swim in water. This test includes the following activities:
The second test measures applicants’ abilities to do calisthenics. The more advanced the position they are applying for, the longer they will need to perform this calisthenics. The final part of this test includes evaluations of more advanced motor skills such as martial arts, CPR, and self-defense. Applicants will be overall graded on the overall performance of these activities to determine whether they are eligible for jobs as a member of the coast guard.
Applicants for positions as firefighters must also meet the physical fitness standards set out by their respective state or municipal government. This generally includes a physical test that includes information about the applicant’s height, weight, and physical build as well as a written test about their motivation and motivation history. This is followed by medical qualifications that will include a basic physical with a doctor as well as a drug test. In most cases, applicants will need to have served in the military for at least two years before they can take the certification exam.
Firefighter’s Physical Fitness Requirements
The basic physical fitness test for firefighters includes several different areas that measure an individual’s ability to perform their job. This includes a timed version of push-ups and pull-ups as well as a maximum lift weight measured with a hand truck. The first part of this test includes push-ups and sit-ups and is based on time. The first part of the test, the 1.5-mile run, consists of a timed run around a track with a 1.5 miles distance. Applicants must also take the results from other assessments such as strength tests to pass their physical fitness requirement for entry into the class.
Coast Guard Combat Fitness Test
The coast guard also has its own physical fitness requirements that must be met for acceptance into service. The test is known as the Coast Guard Combat Fitness Test. This test requires the individual to do a number of activities aimed at determining whether or not they are qualified to become a member of the coast guard. Applicants are required to perform the following activities in no less than three minutes each, with no maximum time limit:
Push-ups
Sit-up and Reach
Pull-ups
1.5-mile run/500-meter swim
Gangway is a coxswain initiation. A lead cadet, known as a ‘river rammer’, will have to run down a river in full gear and is timed from start to finish. The times are posted the next day by the initiators, and each coxswain will rank his or her fellow coxswains from fastest to slowest. In 2012, the average time was 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
If you’re preparing for the Coast Guard Combat Fitness Test, it’s important to meet the height and weight requirements to perform at your best. Use the Coast Guard height and weight standards as a guide to meet the necessary requirements. It’s crucial to maintain an appropriate height-to-weight ratio to perform optimally during the test.
Coast Guard Medical Test Requirements
Applicants must undergo medical examinations as part of the application process. These examinations will include a basic physical exam as well as extensive drug screens. The basic physical exam includes tests for vision, hearing, reflexes, cardiovascular, pulmonary function, neurological function, musculoskeletal system (joints and bones), lymphatic system, genitourinary system (urinary and reproductive), skin integrity and sensation, toxics exposure/drug screen.
Medical examinations and physical agility tests must include:
The Coast Guard drug test consists of three parts: a urine test, a saliva test, and a blood test. The urine and saliva tests will screen for drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates, PCP, and methamphetamine. The blood test, the most advanced and highly advanced test, is made up of four types of tests: a hair sample; a saliva sample; a blood sample; and a sweat sample. Applicants will be required to provide hair samples as well as urine and saliva samples for both themselves as well as their spouse or partner. Those who fail this test must wait until they have undergone the standard Coast Guard medical examination before they can retake this tests.
Coast Guard CAREERS
To apply for any of the positions in the coast guard, you must be a United States citizen. You must also pass tests to qualify for tests. There are tests that you will need to take depending on the job. These include:
The Coast Guard website provides extensive information about all current activities of the coast guard. This includes information specific to each division of the coast guard, including information about training centers, centers for public safety, and other related information.
The United States Coast Guard Academy is located in New London, Connecticut, on the Eastern shore of Long Island Sound. The academy operates on the campus of the United States Naval Academy.
The US Coast Guard Academy has a separate application process for admission into its classes. The application process involves completing an online application, providing more extensive personal information than for any other coast guard position, and taking at least two preparatory courses.
Website of Coast Guard CAREERS: https://www.uscg.mil/Join/
