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Ideal Body Proportions

Alright folks... here's the complete "Ideal" body proportions table. I'm not sure what the original source is, but I believe it may have been Muscle and Fitness.

Instructions

To use this chart first divide your bodyweight by your height. This will give your weight per inch of height. When this is determined select the figure in the far left column that is closest to yours. Then, follow the figures straight across to learn your ideal proportions. [Cal: This chart is only really appropriate for men as the smallest weight / height ratio doesn't correspond well to the ranges for women.]

Measure yourself every three months.
Check in the mirror to make sure that your muscles are defined.
Also check to make sure your muscles have fullness, depth and pleasing contour.
Build proportionate strength and size.
Train regularly and follow a sensible diet.

Weight [lbs]/ Height [in]	Neck [in]	Biceps [in]	Forearm [in]	Chest [in]	Waist [in]	Hips [in]	Thigh [in]	Calf [in]
1.90	14.00	13.10	10.90	36.40	27.30	32.80	19.70	13.10
1.97	14.25	13.35	11.10	37.15	27.85	33.45	20.05	13.35
2.04	14.50	13.60	11.30	37.90	28.40	34.10	20.40	13.60
2.11	14.75	13.85	11.55	38.60	28.90	34.70	20.80	13.85
2.18	15.00	14.10	11.80	39.30	29.40	35.30	21.20	14.10
2.26	15.30	14.35	12.00	40.00	29.70	35.95	21.60	14.35
2.33	15.60	14.60	12.20	40.70	30.00	36.60	22.00	14.60
2.41	15.85	14.85	12.40	41.40	30.80	37.25	22.35	14.85
2.49	16.10	15.10	12.60	42.10	31.60	37.90	22.70	15.10
2.57	16.40	15.40	12.85	42.80	32.10	38.55	23.10	15.40
2.65	16.70	15.70	13.10	43.50	32.60	39.20	23.50	15.70
2.73	16.95	15.95	13.30	44.25	33.15	39.85	23.90	15.95
2.82	17.20	16.20	13.50	45.00	33.70	40.50	24.30	16.20
2.90	17.50	16.45	13.70	45.70	34.25	41.10	24.65	16.45
2.99	17.80	16.70	13.90	46.40	34.80	41.70	25.00	16.70
3.09	18.05	17.00	14.15	47.20	35.40	42.45	25.45	17.00
3.20	18.30	17.30	14.40	48.00	36.00	43.20	25.90	17.30
3.29	18.55	17.55	14.60	48.70	36.55	43.85	26.30	17.55
3.38	18.80	17.80	14.80	49.40	37.10	44.50	26.70	17.80

Reader's Comments:

Please leave your comments or suggestions below!

2020-09-25

Mary_Simmons

Sandow was so successful at flexing and posing his physique that he later created several businesses around his fame, and was among the first to market products branded with his name. He was credited with inventing and selling the first exercise equipment for the masses: machined dumbbells, spring pulleys, and tension bands. Even his image was sold by the thousands in " cabinet cards " and other prints. Sandow was a perfect "Gracilian", a standard of ideal body proportions close to those of ancient Greek and Roman statues. Men's physiques were then judged by how closely they matched these proportions.

2016-09-22

Andrew F

This chart is from Joe Weider's publication Joe Weider's Bodybuilding System 1988, that I have right beside me as I type this. Very good book too. There is the exact same chart in Chapter 24 page 89 (albeit with figures rounded up in your case).

Below the chart is a line figure of a man showing his right arm FLEXED as in a right biceps shot with Arms crossed by a vertical measurement line, but advises us to measure cold at wake-up. The left arm is straight down to measure Forearms. This suggests that it is Joe Weider & co's recommendations, though Joe also founded Muscle & Fitness. This chart is extremely helpful (and is an official "Weiderism" haha) as it gives you a goal to attain for, to achieve a beautiful physique. My 44 inch chest is 4 inches less or behind compared to my 26 inch thighs from two decades as a cyclist. Got some work to do!!!!!! Oh heck!

2015-08-23

Gabe

Are these measurements supposed to be flexed or relaxed? I believe it is the latter as if my arms flexed meet the suggested bicep proportions pretty much to the dot, but I feel to skinny.

2015-04-09

kencando

Do you have any proportion charts for women?

2014-11-06

wil

What are the units of your Weight / Height ratio?

Ex: 75kg / 185cm = 0.4

Thanks

I believe the units are supposed to be Weight in pounds and Height in inches. I have now updated the chart titles to reflect this. Thanks.

2014-04-06

Madhur

i am 5'11'' tall and my weight is 62 kg., chest 37" what i do for perfect body?

2013-01-04

Pablo

Diego, I'd find it surprising if you're actually dead-on on all measurements except hips and thighs, especially if you've got the waist one right.

Maybe you're just big boned man, but if you have basic things like chest, arms, and waist down, I wouldn't worry about things you can't change.

All the best,

2013-01-01

Gotta shrink my waist and grow my biceps lol...according to this!

2012-12-23

Diego

I've tried so hard with these measurements but I'm always off on hips and thighs! As much as I work out they're always two inches bigger than the ideal measurements from this chart. :/ any help?

2012-11-28

rishabh

Dis chart is pretty good. I m 5"9 n my weight is 73 kgs. My chest is 43 n my biceps r 14.5. According to dis chart I need to workout on my biceps.

2012-06-01

Quite happy

You're absolutely right...if you concentrate on, say, adding mass to your biceps then you're gonna get heavier and move down the chart, therefore needing even bigger biceps! Likewise, if you try to shed off fat then you'll probably move up the chart and bam, now you need an even smaller waist.

That's why - since we can't change change our height - we should FIRSTidentify a weight goal with which we are comfortable (happy, not grossed out, whatever) and THEN get to work on the numbers.

Having said that, the Greek proportions vary from statue to statue, the same way male models have different looks (heck, the same guy can look very different from one shoot to the next), the same way in which athletes for different sports have totally different bodies. SO, choose a look that suits you and attainable and go get it, just keep in mind that you can't look magazine perfect all the time in every single angle.

We all more or less have a certain look trhat fits our height, face, and age. As long as we're realistic about our potential, it shouldn't be absolutely impossible to get real close to the proportions the chart proposes. I know I stopped trying to get bigger biceps because I simply don't want them that big, why? Because I say so! The chart is a tool, a guide. But ultimately YOU decide.

2012-05-30

David

A warning thought of an iterative approach?

If I do the weight/height calculation, look up the ideal numbers on the table annd shoot for these stats, working on my worst stats with priority, there's a chance that I'll get bigger biceps, the calves etc, but then I've also lost weight at the same time to counter the waist stat.

Re-do the figures, (ie weight/height) jump up the table and all of a sudden - I'd be too stacked?

Best to get the bodyfat right first, hit your waist target and then progress to work on the other stats....

Best of luck everyone!

2012-05-30

David

A picture would speak a thousand comments. I understand this is a great set of numbers and I've heard of some of these ratios, but if you're going to put in some effort, be nice to get some kinda image of what we are aiming for.....?

2012-04-26

Jotys

Thanks for this chart it's really great but just wondering about biceps measurement it is measured biceps relaxed or pumped ?

2012-02-17

joncrose

Thank you for this chart. I Have been looking for something like this. proportions should be. I have been doing bodybuilding for some time now and making sure you are completly proportioned is one of the hardest thinkgs to do.
Thanks

2012-02-17

joncrose

Just want to say real quick that Arnold didn't measure up like this according to his height to weight ratio, but it's been said that he had some of the greatest proportions in bodybuilding history. So i dont know what to think.

2011-09-15

Laeo

Woa, I am freakishly close to all the ideal measurements. I'm 5'9 at 151 lbs and fit in perfectly with almost everything in row 2.18. I'm about an inch away from my ideal chest measurement. I just recently started bodybuilding last year and believe that people should follow the golden ratio of 1.61ish instead of trying to gain a blocky physique that leads to over-gaining. Being heavy is not as attractive as most people believe.

2011-06-25

Eric

Wow I pretty much fit the 2.11 to a tee at 68.5 inches tall and 145 pounds. My arms are a little on the smaller size 13.0 inch biceps / 10.75 triceps but my chest 39.5 inches, theighs 21 and calves 14.0 are a little big. Probably because I do a lot of running / biking and don't really focus on arms. When I do upper body I mainly just focus on the MAJOR muscle groups (push ups, pull ups, bench press, etc) That must be why my chest is on the larger end and arms on the smaller. My build is very small my wist is just 6.0 inches. have a small frame.

2011-06-23

Oskar

I fit in scaringly well at 5'8" 143 pounds. (2.10). All mesurements are within a 1/4 inch except for hip and waist. Have a 1" slimer waist and 2" slimmer hip. I still have well developed glutes, when in profile my butt and hamstings look huge.

I have thin bones, 6.3" wrists and 7.5" ankles, so I look "semi-trained" in a mirror. But I shrink when I enter the gym, the illusion breaks when someone with a bigger frame is present.. sooo very thin. Its very hard to gain muscle with a small frame like mine. I only gain 7-8 pounds/year.

2011-06-23

Well it's been over 6 months since my last post and every micro-inch is getting harder and harder to obtain/lose.

I did manage to lose an extra inch off the waist...I'm now at 29.2, and will keep working to get to a flat 29.

I stopped worrying about the half inch I'm missing from my biceps because I decided I simply didn't want my arms to get any bigger. Hey, this chart is a damn good guide but how you want to look is ultimately YOUR choice.

So there, I'll keep striving to lose body fat, by eating right and swimming my butt off. It CAN be done.

My 2c, always keep in mind that how you look is up to you, and decide how far you want to go to achieve those goals. I, for one, am not willing to give up wine or scotch to lose that 0.2 inch off my waist, but I AM willing to put an extra couple hours at the gym to compensate.

Best of luck,

2011-03-24

2011-02-27

Beastoe

This is great but as someone said below, it only really matters about the ratio. I mean I'm bang on the 2.18 row but im 170lbs and 5 ft 10, that puts me at 2.47. However, if ive got the ratios right i look good anyway.

2010-11-30

I think this graph is pretty accurate. And pretty demanding, too!

I've noticed that a lot of people are fairly close to these proportions, but "fairly close" is not there, and that's where the tough gets going. Whether you're losing weight or trying to gain a few pounds, with some effort you can get to within an inch of most measurements, but losing that final inch at the waist, or making that calf or forearm fill out...that's where it gets really difficult.

At least in my experience, that has been the case. I think I was practically there maybe three years ago, and then after some time I looked back and still I was "practically" there, but not quite there. So I decided to get serious about my nutrition, and about my workout week. It's been almost 6 months of extra-seriousness and I'm a lot closer (to within half an inch) but still not REALLY there (mainly because I gained some mass, which made me move down a row...) However, it's been very encouraging to move a bit closer, and very motivating to have this chart as a goal, it just keeps your feet on the ground and makes you work harder.

Hope to be really and actually there within the next 6 months and report back to you all.

All the best, and keep training.

2010-11-22

Pronoy

hey guys i m 5 feet 7 inches tall
my biceps=13.5inches my chest=39inches weight=65kgs
i get confused
whenever i look into a mirror i cannot figure out if my chest n biceps are not in proportion 2 my height.....

2010-09-02

Omar

According to this table, my other parts proportional or to be developable but my calf about 2" thick... My body fat is 13.5% ... Do you think with regular egzerzises (squat, deadlift) if I reduce body fat below 10% , does my calf get thin 2" ; or should I do special workout for calf....

2010-07-07

Arsim

Can you show a table with centimetres cause i cant understan this one!

For centimeters, multiply the values by 2.54

2010-04-28

dalia

where can i find a table for bodybuilding WOMEN?

2010-04-12

Chiswald

just lift right and have proper post work out meals

2010-03-18

So tis chart is suggesting that a 7 foot 250lbs giant would have same measures as 5'6" 196lbs man, since they both have same weight to height ratio?

2010-03-13

izn

well currently tryin to figure out that what are units for weight & height
like should weight be taken in pounds or kgs & height in inches or metre
so aftr that i can go ahead with this weight /height chart

2010-01-01

Michael

Where to measure??

Chest at nipple line?? Waist at Belly button?? Hips at greater trocanter accross pubic bone??? Just want to measure the right spots

2009-11-28

joseph

Perhaps you guys can help me with something. I am currently 5'10" and 230 pounds (down from 275 last year) so, clearly, I still have a lot of work to do. The problem I am having is that my lower body is far better developed than my upper body. For example,my calves are 17" unflexed while my biceps are only 14" unflexed. As a result I have no idea how to put together a workout for myself. Any suggestions on where to begin? Should I ust stick to cardio for now?

2009-09-08

mkx

This chart was taken from Greek ideal body proportions and knowing the source I can say that Biceps and Forearm measured FLEXED, all other unflexed!!!
But science studies shown that best looking proportions for man is Chest:Waist:Hips = 100:80:100, not 100:75:90 as it is here (nobody from female/male raters said that 100:75:90 is good), and the best body mass index = 0.19-0.22. See more: PubMed: Visual perception of male body attractiveness.

Thank you very much for finding that study -- it looks like it may have contributed to the source of the above data. The linked article is well researched.

2009-08-23

crspark

i wouldnt say this is an ideal body proportions for a professional body builder... the last weight/height had a a very high body fat percentage... for a person of average height 70 inches it would be a body fat percentage of 16%... where most contest body builders are under 5% body fat percentage... how ever if one were achieve this stats they r still in very good shape :)

2009-08-20

mario

hey man..thanx so much for the chart...!!
Eventhough i was already aware that my quads are a lil bit below the ideal size ...this helped me find out just how much.... something around 2 inches.... i guess that's not 2 bad... now.. i only do bodyweight trainning, so my question is..can i achieve quads growth only with BW excercises? or should i go to the gym to work my legs?
cheers

2009-08-16

gar

surely chest and waist size depend a lot on bone structure meaning many people cant ever get the "Ideal" body proportions

2009-08-01

milen

hey guys, i love the table and i am experienced bodybuilder. this table will work for guys pretty much at any height, as long as they don't do steroids!!!then you grow much bigger!!!
i will answer to more of you so listen!
if you are average 5'9"-5'10" guy, then naturally with all the supplements you wish to take and after several years of training don't expect to get over 200 lb, CONSIDERING YOU ARE LEAN, <10%BF = HAVING WELL DEFINED SIX PACK.
about the strength. at the above size, if you did everything naturally, you should:
bench 2x bodyweight, squat 3x bodyweight, deadlift 3x bodyweight , of course 10-20% less is perfeectly fine. if you are nowhere near that, then you havent reached your potential and maybe you carry too much dead weight i.e. FAT.
but the chart is excellent since it gives sizes for all bodyparts.
by the way all u need to follow are several measurements and the rest will follow suit:
1. Chest Size
2. Waist Size
3. Chest/Waist Ratio
4. Approximately Biceps=Neck=Calf, Generally the more advanced you are the more biceps will grow bigger and the calves generally don't grow as big. Keep the neck in check, this is easy since we are talking about 10% Body Fat or less which is associated with smaller neck. I would not even train neck ever, traps and deadlifts are enough to have a tight neck!
The table is good but in my opinion, the numbers for biceps can be and should be at least 1-1.5 inches higher, but the rest seems very well proportioned, Cudos for the author
Milen

2009-06-29

kha

hello everyone. i was wondering what the size for shoulder should be then...with all of these proportion.
thank you

2009-05-31

MIKE

I actually have a stupid comment .Are these sizes of each particular body part irrelevant Iis it not true that the weight to height ratio would be the most important ,for instance a man with 2.11 will look much more proportional than one with 3.38.May be not?

2009-02-17

ecto

if these measurments are for bodybuilding they dont seem to be very big, but i guess thats ok.

2009-02-14

diane

please post a chart for very small women i am only 4 feet 11 inches

2008-12-18

DR. PETERRSON

I have been searching all over my house for this chart. This came out 16 or 17 years ago in M&F accompanying an article by Larry Scott about Bodybuilding Proportions. The general rule of thumb is that calves and biceps are equal measure and neck is one inch larger.

Thank You so much for printing this here !!!

2008-12-18

DR. PETERRSON

2008-07-10

Josh

Hey im 16, 9 stone 7lbs, been training for nearly a year, ive noticed some major improvement, although being typical lad i wanna look better, i have a six pack but i would like to have an 8 pack (Wouldnt everyone). so my question is would toning or bulking up my abs going to show the last to quicker?
thanks.
on a foot note i heard cardio eats away at muscles which is a bit worrying.. is it true?
thankyou

2008-06-12

Erik

I read all the posts and didn't see anything that directly addressed this; how do you build bigger biceps? As it is I weight lift every other day, and most of the time I do 3 sets of 15 standing curls with 70lb (35/hand), then 3 sets of 5 seated curls with my elbows on my knees at 50lb per hand. I am careful to lift the weights quickly and bring them down slowly. I currently have 12.5" biceps unflexed, 14.25" flexed.

2008-04-30

Nilesh

Actually you need to just check the ratios-

Bicep/ Forearm	1.20
Chest/ Waist	1.33
Chest/Hips	1.11
Hips/ Thighs	1.66
Thighs/ Calf	1.50

You can find the variance of your actual ratio to the ideal ratio as a % by the formula: (ideal-actual)/ ideal *100

I found my respective variance as:

Bicep/Forearm	13%
Chest/Waist	9%
Chest/Hips	5%
Hips/Thighs	0%
Thighs/Calf	-6% (negative)

This suggests that I need to improve on my Chest and Biceps. Also since I do more walking exercises, the variance is increasing from Bottom to Top of body suggesting that I need to concentrate on the upper part of my body.

Hope this helps
Nilesh

Thanks Nilesh for sharing this.

2008-04-16

josh

i started lifting about 1 1/2 years ago and i'm 6ft. when i started I weighed 154 at 12% body fat, and after 6 months i gained about ten pounds of muscle but about 8 pounds of fat came with it. i got back down to 156 from around 175. i'm starting to get more serious about lifting and i want to know should i get down in the single digits for body fat before i bulk up or should i do something else? my goal is to get to 180 at 10% body fat.

2008-03-13

rhett

these are based on greco-roman sculpture, that are not in a flexed state-but they are ideal proportions that some will estimate at body fat well below 10%.

2008-03-10

robin

What should i listen to ? because some1 say ALL the measurements are NOT flexed.. and some1 said they are ALL felxed.. which one is the correct one ?

2007-12-29

sloppyjoe74

these are not flexed, bicep is measured arm horizontal and extended, they are quite achievable with hard work and determination, if you measure pumped my arm is 16 inches, but as it should be it only 14, my ratio is 2.45 so i still need to get bigger, chest is also normal not expanded mine is 4 inches different, my chest is still bigger though @ 43, my neck measure 17, forearms 12 extended not flexed, calfes 14.5 relaxed, thigh 21.5 relaxed, hips 38, waist 33, so you can see i need ab work and a little more in other spots but measurements are definately not to be done flexed and right after exercise.

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Ideal Body Proportions

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