*This calculator uses standards for ages 21-27 for demonstration. Actual Army standards vary by age group.
Enter your details and click 'Calculate' to see if you meet the initial Army height and weight standards.
function calculateArmyStandards() {
var heightFeet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightFeet').value);
var heightInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightInches').value);
var weightPounds = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightPounds').value);
var gender = document.getElementById('gender').value;
var age = parseInt(document.getElementById('age').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(heightFeet) || isNaN(heightInches) || isNaN(weightPounds) || isNaN(age) || heightFeet < 0 || heightInches 11 || weightPounds <= 0 || age < 17) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid numerical values for all fields.';
return;
}
var totalHeightInches = (heightFeet * 12) + heightInches;
// Army minimum and maximum height standards (general)
var minArmyHeight = 58; // 4'10"
var maxArmyHeight = 80; // 6'8"
if (totalHeightInches maxArmyHeight) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'You do not meet the Army\'s general height standards. Minimum height is 4\'10" (58 inches) and maximum is 6\'8″ (80 inches).';
return;
}
// Simplified Army Maximum Allowable Weight (MAW) Chart for ages 21-27 (AR 600-9, Table 3-1)
var maleMaxWeights = {
58: 135, 59: 139, 60: 143, 61: 147, 62: 151, 63: 155, 64: 159, 65: 163,
66: 167, 67: 171, 68: 175, 69: 179, 70: 183, 71: 187, 72: 191, 73: 195,
74: 199, 75: 203, 76: 207, 77: 211, 78: 215, 79: 219, 80: 223
};
var femaleMaxWeights = {
58: 125, 59: 128, 60: 131, 61: 134, 62: 137, 63: 140, 64: 143, 65: 146,
66: 149, 67: 152, 68: 155, 69: 158, 70: 161, 71: 164, 72: 167, 73: 170,
74: 173, 75: 176, 76: 179, 77: 182, 78: 185, 79: 188, 80: 191
};
var maxAllowableWeight = 0;
var chartUsed = (gender === 'male') ? maleMaxWeights : femaleMaxWeights;
// Find the max allowable weight for the given height
// The Army chart is discrete. If height is between values, it's typically rounded down to the nearest chart value.
// However, for simplicity and direct lookup, we'll use the exact height if present, or the closest lower height.
// For this calculator, we'll assume direct lookup for heights 58-80 inches.
if (chartUsed[totalHeightInches]) {
maxAllowableWeight = chartUsed[totalHeightInches];
} else {
// If exact height not in chart (e.g., due to rounding or specific chart gaps),
// find the closest lower height in the chart.
var heights = Object.keys(chartUsed).map(Number).sort(function(a, b){return a-b});
var foundHeight = -1;
for (var i = 0; i < heights.length; i++) {
if (heights[i] <= totalHeightInches) {
foundHeight = heights[i];
} else {
break;
}
}
if (foundHeight !== -1) {
maxAllowableWeight = chartUsed[foundHeight];
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Could not determine maximum allowable weight for your height based on the simplified chart. Please ensure your height is within the standard range (4\'10" to 6\'8").';
return;
}
}
var statusMessage = '';
var statusColor = '';
if (weightPounds <= maxAllowableWeight) {
statusMessage = 'Congratulations! You meet the initial Army height and weight standards.';
statusColor = '#28a745'; // Green
} else {
statusMessage = 'You exceed the maximum allowable weight for your height. A Body Fat Assessment (BFA) would be required.';
statusColor = '#ffc107'; // Yellow/Orange
}
resultDiv.innerHTML =
'' + statusMessage + '' +
'Your Height: ' + heightFeet + ' ft ' + heightInches + ' in (' + totalHeightInches + ' inches)' +
'Your Weight: ' + weightPounds + ' lbs' +
'Maximum Allowable Weight for your height (' + totalHeightInches + ' inches) and gender (' + gender + ') is: ' + maxAllowableWeight + ' lbs' +
'*This calculation is based on a simplified chart for ages 21-27. Actual Army standards (AR 600-9) vary by age and gender, and may require a Body Fat Assessment if initial weight standards are not met.';
}
Understanding Army Height and Weight Standards
The United States Army maintains strict height and weight standards for all its personnel, from recruits to seasoned officers. These standards are crucial for ensuring the physical readiness, health, and overall combat effectiveness of its soldiers. A soldier's ability to perform physically demanding tasks, wear protective gear, and maintain long-term health is directly linked to their body composition.
The Purpose of the Standards
The Army's Body Composition Program, outlined in Army Regulation (AR) 600-9, aims to:
Ensure soldiers are able to meet the physical demands of their duties.
Promote good health and physical fitness.
Present a professional military appearance.
Reduce the risk of injuries and long-term health issues.
How the Standards Work: A Two-Part Process
The Army's body composition assessment typically involves a two-step process:
Initial Height and Weight Screening: Soldiers are first weighed and measured for height. Their weight is then compared against a maximum allowable weight (MAW) for their specific height, age, and gender. If a soldier's weight is at or below the MAW, they meet the initial standard.
Body Fat Assessment (BFA): If a soldier exceeds the maximum allowable weight for their height, they are then required to undergo a Body Fat Assessment. This involves measuring specific body circumference sites (e.g., neck, waist, hip) to estimate body fat percentage. There are maximum allowable body fat percentages that vary by age and gender. If a soldier's body fat percentage is within the acceptable limits, they pass the standard, even if they were over the initial weight limit. If they exceed both the weight and body fat limits, they are considered to have failed the body composition standard.
Using the Calculator
Our Army Height & Weight Standards Calculator provides an initial assessment based on the first step of the Army's Body Composition Program. By entering your height, weight, gender, and age, you can quickly determine if you meet the initial maximum allowable weight for your height.
Important Note: This calculator uses a simplified chart based on Army Regulation 600-9 for individuals aged 21-27. Actual Army standards have different maximum allowable weights for various age groups (17-20, 21-27, 28-39, 40+). While this calculator gives a good indication, it is not a substitute for an official Army assessment. Always consult the most current AR 600-9 for precise and up-to-date standards.
What if I don't meet the standards?
If the calculator indicates you exceed the maximum allowable weight, it means an official Army assessment would proceed to a Body Fat Assessment. This doesn't automatically mean you are unfit for service, but it highlights the need for further evaluation of your body composition. Maintaining a healthy weight and body fat percentage is a continuous effort for all soldiers, contributing to their readiness and career longevity.