Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your ideal body weight
Formula
Devine (Men): 50 + 2.3kg per inch over 5ft
Devine (Women): 45.5 + 2.3kg per inch over 5ft
Formula Comparison
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| Devine | Most common, medical use |
| Robinson | Slightly lower estimates |
| Miller | Higher estimates |
| Hamwi | Oldest formula |
Related
Complete Guide to Ideal Weight Calculator
Ideal body weight (IBW) formulas estimate what you "should" weigh based on height. However, these formulas have significant limitations and should be used as rough guides, not absolute targets.
Understanding IBW Formulas
Most IBW formulas were developed decades ago for specific medical purposes (like drug dosing), not as health targets. They don't account for muscle mass, frame size, age, or ethnicity - all of which affect healthy weight.
Limitations to Consider
- Athletes often weigh more than "ideal" due to muscle
- Formulas were developed primarily on Caucasian populations
- They don't account for body composition or frame size
- A healthy weight range is more useful than a single number
Better Alternatives
Rather than fixating on ideal weight, consider: BMI range (18.5-24.9), body fat percentage, waist circumference, how you feel, and health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Frequently Asked Questions
None are truly accurate for individuals. They're population averages that don't account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition. Use them as rough guides only, not as targets.
Each formula was developed for different purposes by different researchers. Devine (1974) is most common in medicine. The variation shows how imprecise 'ideal weight' really is.
Not necessarily. A muscular person may weigh more than 'ideal' while being perfectly healthy. Focus on body composition, how you feel, and health markers rather than hitting a specific number.
No. Healthy weight is a range (typically BMI 18.5-24.9), while ideal weight formulas give a single number. Being within healthy range is more important than hitting an exact 'ideal' figure.
No. Athletes with significant muscle mass will exceed ideal weight while being very healthy. Body fat percentage is more meaningful for active individuals.
Wrap your thumb and finger around your wrist. If they overlap, you're small-framed; if they touch, medium; if there's a gap, large. Large frames can healthily weigh more than formulas suggest.
Formulas use only height, so they don't change. However, your healthy weight range may shift with age, muscle mass changes, and other factors. Health matters more than any formula.