The Army has specific height and weight standards to maintain your physical fitness. These are set for a variety of reasons, such as to help you perform your job duties as well as possible and to keep you healthy. These standards are different for male and female soldiers, but the minimum weight requirement is the same (135 pounds).
The Army weight table below shows the male and female standards in pounds and kilograms. Standards are for your height while wearing appropriate military clothing, such as a battle dress uniform. You will need to figure out what your body mass index (BMI) is by using the calculator provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Then, contact your medical unit or use the BMI calculator from the website to determine whether you meet Army height and weight standards.
The Army has set the following body mass index values as the minimum acceptable range for active-duty troops:
Body mass index (BMI) Weight-to-Height chart for men and women
Note: The conversion factor is 1 lb per inch. Multiply by 2.2 to convert to kilograms (kg). Therefore, a Soldier who is 5 foot 8 inches (72 inches) tall and weighs 140 lbs has a body mass index of 22.8 which falls into the acceptable range of 20-27.
Table of Contents
Height Requirements
You must meet the height requirements to enlist in the Army. If you are under 6’0″ (182 cm) tall, then you cannot enlist.
The minimum height requirement for enlistment is:
Male: 5’11” (180 cm) and above
Female: 5’6″ (167 cm) and above
If you have a physical problem with your height, it may be possible to lift or carry more weight as long as it does not prevent you from meeting other standards. In this case, you will be evaluated by a military medical doctor.
Weight Requirements
You must meet the weight requirements to enlist in the Army. The maximum allowable body fat for men is 20%; women are allowed a bit more at 24%.
The maximum allowable weight for Women is 147 pounds (67 kg) and men is 154 pounds (70 kg). Going over these weight standards by more than 5 or 10 percent can affect your ability to perform your job well. If you are over the weight standards, then you will be considered overweight and be tested to see if you can meet the body fat standards.
Army Male Height and Weight Standards
To meet the standards in AR 600-9, all Soldiers must maintain their body weight within the body fat standards listed below.
Men entering the Army Service Component Command must be between 5’10” and 6’3” in height. Men who are 6’4″ tall can weigh no more than 230 pounds.
At each Army training location, body fat measuring devices and chart recorders are available for use by all Soldiers. Body fat measurement is performed at no charge to the Soldier.
Here is a chart of Army Male Height and Weight Standards:
| Men Height | Min Weight | Age 17-20 with Max Weight | Age 21-27 with Max Weight | Age 28-39 with Max Weight | Age 40+ with Max Weight |
| 58 | 91 | ||||
| 59 | 94 | ||||
| 60 | 97 | 139 | 141 | 143 | 146 |
| 61 | 100 | 144 | 146 | 148 | 151 |
| 62 | 104 | 148 | 150 | 153 | 156 |
| 63 | 107 | 153 | 145 | 158 | 161 |
| 64 | 110 | 158 | 160 | 163 | 166 |
| 65 | 114 | 163 | 165 | 168 | 171 |
| 66 | 117 | 168 | 170 | 173 | 177 |
| 67 | 121 | 174 | 176 | 179 | 182 |
| 68 | 125 | 179 | 181 | 184 | 187 |
| 69 | 128 | 184 | 186 | 189 | 193 |
| 70 | 132 | 189 | 192 | 195 | 199 |
| 71 | 136 | 194 | 197 | 201 | 204 |
| 72 | 140 | 200 | 203 | 206 | 210 |
| 73 | 144 | 205 | 208 | 212 | 216 |
| 74 | 148 | 211 | 214 | 218 | 222 |
| 75 | 152 | 217 | 220 | 224 | 228 |
| 76 | 156 | 223 | 226 | 230 | 234 |
| 77 | 160 | 229 | 232 | 236 | 240 |
| 78 | 164 | 235 | 238 | 242 | 247 |
| 79 | 168 | 241 | 244 | 248 | 253 |
| 80 | 173 | 247 | 250 | 255 | 259 |
Army Female Height and Weight Standards
According to the Army Weight Control Program, a member of the Army who is female and 5’4” tall can weigh no more than 143 pounds. A female member of the army 6’0” tall can weigh no more than 170 pounds.
Women who are 5’4″ tall and weigh less than 143 lbs. are categorically ineligible for selection into the Army Service Component Command (ASCC) pipeline, regardless of AFQT scores or personal record. If a woman under this height and weight is selected into any ASCC, she then must successfully complete the women’s only Basic Enlisted Skill Standards Course (BESSC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This course is designed to help women achieve physical standards to complete the training for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). For example, if a woman joins the Military Police Corps she will be required to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test and complete a 300-yard run within 53 seconds. If she fails to do so, she will be enrolled into BESSC. Women who fail this course are automatically removed from consideration for ASCC pipeline.
Here is a chart of Army Female Height and Weight Standards:
| Women Height | Min Weight | Age 17-20 with Max Weight | Age 21-27 with Max Weight | Age 28-39 with Max Weight | Age 40+ with Max Weight |
| 58 | 91 | 122 | 124 | 126 | 127 |
| 59 | 94 | 127 | 128 | 130 | 131 |
| 60 | 97 | 132 | 134 | 135 | 136 |
| 61 | 100 | 136 | 137 | 139 | 141 |
| 62 | 104 | 140 | 141 | 144 | 145 |
| 63 | 107 | 145 | 147 | 148 | 149 |
| 64 | 110 | 149 | 151 | 153 | 154 |
| 65 | 114 | 154 | 156 | 158 | 160 |
| 66 | 117 | 160 | 160 | 162 | 165 |
| 67 | 121 | 163 | 166 | 168 | 169 |
| 68 | 125 | 168 | 171 | 173 | 174 |
| 69 | 128 | 173 | 176 | 178 | 180 |
| 70 | 132 | 178 | 181 | 183 | 185 |
| 71 | 136 | 183 | 186 | 188 | 191 |
| 72 | 140 | 189 | 191 | 194 | 196 |
| 73 | 144 | 194 | 196 | 200 | 202 |
| 74 | 148 | 199 | 203 | 204 | 206 |
| 75 | 152 | 205 | 208 | 210 | 212 |
| 76 | 156 | 210 | 213 | 215 | 216 |
| 77 | 160 | 216 | 219 | 221 | 223 |
| 78 | 164 | 222 | 224 | 227 | 229 |
| 79 | 168 | 227 | 230 | 234 | 236 |
| 80 | 173 | 233 | 236 | 240 | 241 |
Army height and weight standards regulation
1.6 Height and Weight Regulations
(1) All members of the Canadian Army must meet the following height and weight requirements.
(2) A soldier who has been injured or is pregnant shall be granted leniency in the following circumstances:
(3) The Commanding Officer may grant exceptions in special cases.
(4) A soldier who does not meet the height and weight requirements, but is within three (3) centimetres of the requirement, shall be issued with a letter of authority.
(5) Authorized clothing and equipment are not included in these height and weight regulations.
(6) For the purpose of these regulations a male is a person who has fully and completely gone through puberty.
(7) A soldier not in uniform shall present his or her Weight Card at every medical check-up. The soldier’s Weight Card will be stamped to indicate the soldier meets the weight requirements.
(8) Soldiers are responsible for their own personal height and weight, the leader is responsible that soldiers in his or her command meet the height and weight requirements.
U.S. Army height and weight standards by age
The US Army has a standard height and weight table for every soldier. The army gives soldiers a height and weight gauge when they enlist, but it also takes your body mass index (BMI) to determine if you are eligible for a certain category of service.
According to military.com “Although body mass standards can vary slightly from service to service, they’re set at a level that allows officers and enlisted soldiers to carry out all the tasks required of them, including strength training, field exercises and combat operations. The average height for men in the Army is . In 2011, the average weight was 180 pounds.
The U.S. Army has strict physical, mental, and age requirements for those who wish to serve in the military. From fitness tests to medical exams, the Army makes sure that all candidates are physically prepared for the rigorous demands of military life.
The Army has age and weight requirements for both men and women. The weight limits are based on the body type, height, and gender of the applicant. The minimum requirement is 39 pounds, and the maximum is 68 pounds. The maximum body fat level allowed is 12 percent for men and 10 percent for women. Soldiers with injuries that require medical care or those who are obese will not be allowed into basic training or into other military jobs that have high physical demand, such as an officer’s job.
To qualify for the military, you must be between the ages of 17 and 34. You must also have a high school diploma or GED. A college degree is preferred, but some jobs will allow you to enter with only an associate’s degree. The cut-off age for Army recruits is 34 years old.
You can qualify for the Army with a variety of different degrees, but the Army does prefer those who graduate from a business or technical program. For those with bachelor’s degrees, the Army may offer enlistment incentives such as additional pay, a signing bonus, or more time to prepare for the job you want.
You’ll need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is a test that measures your intelligence based on four critical areas: math, science, reading comprehension, and word knowledge. You must also take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test. The ASVAB tests are important because these scores will determine what jobs you qualify for when you enter the military. With the high number of ASVAB test takers, low scores can be the cause of a lottery system and you could land an under desirable position within your branch of service.
Military Physical Requirements
The following tables delineate the DoD-approved physical readiness test for a variety of military occupational specialties, the annual training test, and the physical fitness assessment. A comparison chart may be found on page 34.
All branches have had a Physical Readiness Test, or PRT, since 1975 as a method of evaluating members’ overall condition. Although some changes have been made over the years to improve it, some argue that it does not accurately assess fitness levels and is being used as a compliance check instead.
The Navy PRT consists of three exercises: pull-ups, crunches, and push-ups. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of repetitions times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform 12 pull-ups at the minimum or 19 pull-ups at the maximum to pass their physical readiness test.
The minimum score for this test is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of reps times 2.5. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform at least nine push-ups to pass their physical readiness test while the maximum score would be age plus 9 push-ups times 2.5 . The minimum score is age plus 11 push-ups at the maximum or 23 push-ups at the minimum.
The Marine Corps PRT consists of three exercises: pull-ups, crunches, and push-ups. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of repetitions times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform at least nine pull-ups to pass their physical readiness test while the maximum score would be age plus 9 pull-ups times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus 11 pull-ups at the maximum or 23 pull-ups at the minimum.
The Army PRT consists of two exercises. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of repetitions times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform nine push-ups to pass their physical readiness test while the maximum score would be age plus 9 push-ups times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus 11 push-ups at the maximum or 23 push-ups at the minimum.
The Air Force uses its own Air Force Fitness Test that consists of three exercises. It is a pass/fails test with a score of 100 being the maximum and a score of 60 being the minimum for airmen. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of repetitions times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform nine push-ups to pass their physical readiness test while the maximum score would be age plus 9 push-ups times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus 11 push-ups at the maximum or 23 push-ups at the minimum.
Coast Guard Physical Requirements. A failure to meet the minimum requirements for a specific fitness test does not necessarily mean a failure to pass the test. The Coast Guard no longer requires high school diplomas for adult applicants, although they do allow high school diplomas as an alternative if an applicant lacks a high school diploma or GED certificate of completion.
The minimum score of the test is 100 points out of 100 points, and each exercise is worth 10 points. The maximum weight for this test is age plus the number of repetitions times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus number of repetitions times 1.4. For example, a 25-year-old would have to perform nine push-ups to pass their physical readiness test while the maximum score would be age plus 9 push-ups times 2.5. The minimum score is age plus 11 push-ups at the maximum or 23 push-ups at the minimum. A score reduction does not necessarily mean failure for this particular fitness test.
Service Academy Fitness Assessment
These physical fitness assessments are conducted over two consecutive days. The events emphasize functional exercise aimed at providing physical training benefits for the activities of daily living, military training, and combat.
Individual readiness is tested in the areas of muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility.
Male and female candidates will be evaluated against the following:
Minimum Requirements: 1.5 mile run: 13:30 (min:sec); pull-ups: five unassisted; 21 push-ups; 43 sit-ups; 1.5 mile run: 12:30 (min:sec); push-ups/sit-ups/pull-ups completed consecutively without exceeding 60 seconds.
The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is administered at least twice a year. The test consists of three events: two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a timed test of 2 miles run according to the following guidelines:
For passing the test, Soldiers must perform the number of repetitions within the time limit for their age group and gender, or obtain a minimum score on each event. There is no maximum score on any event. A perfect APFT score is 300 points. Only three types of failures are possible: a score of fewer than 60 points, a timed mile run over 12:52 for age 20-29, and a perfect score plus a timed mile run over 13:30 for age 18-29.
In addition to the three events that make up the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), soldiers in basic combat training must also attend four hours of PT each day. In basic training, these four hours consist of two hours of cardio and two hours of strength training.
FAQs
What are the weight limits for the army?
- the maximum authorized weight for males: 160 pounds
- the maximum authorized weight for females: 100 pounds
- The minimum weight for male: 95 pounds
- The minimum weight for female: 68 pounds
What are the maximum age limits to join the army?
- The max birth year for enlistment is: 20 years old (within 2 yrs. after HS Graduation)
- The max birth year for Officer Commissioning is: 25 years old
- The max age limit for Active Duty: 35 years old, if male; 30 years old, if female
What are the age limits for the army?
The minimum age requirement for entering military service is 18. A 16-17-year-old individual may enlist, if they are determined by a board of review to be physically, mentally, and morally qualified. The maximum age limit for enlisting in the Army is 40 years old (or 35 years old with a dependent). All-female soldiers must be at least 21 years old.
What happens if I’m too heavy or too light to join?
If a soldier is over the weight limits by 10 pounds or more, the army has the right to discharge him if he does not lose some weight.
How much body fat can I have and still qualify for the Army?
To qualify for service, a male soldier cannot be overweight by more than 10 percent of his body weight. A female soldier cannot be overweight by more than 20 percent.
What are the maximum and minimum age requirements to join the Army?
The maximum age requirement for entering military service is 40 years old (or 35 years old with a dependent). The minimum age requirement for enlisting in the Army is 18. A 16-17-year-old individual may enlist, if they are determined by a board of review to be physically, mentally, and morally qualified.
What is the maximum height limit for the army?
The maximum height limit for male soldiers is 6’3″ and the maximum height for female soldiers is 5’8″.
What are some other limits that apply to the army?
There are limits on the number of tattoos you can have. You can’t have any tattoos that are racist, sexist, or extremist in nature.
What are some physical requirements for the army?
Males must have 20/40 vision unaided, correctable to 20/20, color perception of sufficiently distinguish red, green, and yellow colors, and the ability to hear an average conversational voice in the forward field without an assistive listening device. Females must have 20/50 vision unaided, correctable to 20/20, color perception of sufficiently distinguish red, green, and yellow colors, and the ability to hear an average conversational voice in the forward field without an assistive listening device.
If you fail a physical fitness test during your basic training, can you be penalized for it?
All soldiers are required to meet the Army’s guidelines for physical fitness. If a soldier fails, the instructor conducts an evaluation to determine the cause. The soldier may be given remedial physical training or may be discharged from the training if it is determined that he or she is not suitable for military service.
What are some of the mental requirements for the army?
Males must have a normal state of mind and no significant defect in intellect, emotions, or personality disorders that would interfere with their ability to adjust to military life. Females must have a normal state of mind and no significant defect in intellect, emotions, or personality disorders that would interfere with their ability to adjust to military life.
What are some of the emotional requirements?
Males must have no history of emotional instability or personality disorder that may lead to excessive use of violence. Females must have no history of emotional instability or personality disorder that may lead to excessive use of violence.