Ideal Weight Calculator
This ideal weight calculator shows your ideal body weight from height and sex using four classic clinical formulas — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — side by side, plus the healthy weight range from BMI.
Why there are several formulas
The classic ideal-weight equations were derived decades ago, mostly for drug dosing rather than as health targets. Each uses only height and sex, and they disagree by a few kilograms. Showing all four — instead of one — is the honest way to present them: read the result as a range, not a verdict.
The four formulas
Each starts from inches over 5 ft (over = height in inches − 60) and returns kilograms:
| Formula | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50.0 + 2.3·over | 45.5 + 2.3·over |
| Robinson (1983) | 52.0 + 1.9·over | 49.0 + 1.7·over |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 + 1.41·over | 53.1 + 1.36·over |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48.0 + 2.7·over | 45.5 + 2.2·over |
Worked example
A man who is 5'10" (70 in, so over = 10): Devine = 50 + 23 = 73 kg; Robinson = 52 + 19 = 71 kg; Miller = 56.2 + 14.1 = 70.3 kg; Hamwi = 48 + 27 = 75 kg. The formulas land between roughly 70 and 75 kg — a 5 kg spread.
A range beats a single number
Because the formulas ignore muscle and frame size, the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) is usually a better answer for an individual — it's wider and accounts for natural variation. To refine your target, check your frame size, estimate your body fat percentage, and compare with your BMI.
Frequently asked questions
What is ideal body weight?
- A reference weight for your height and sex from classic clinical formulas — a guide, not a strict target.
Which ideal weight formula should I use?
- They agree within a few kg; Devine and Robinson are the most widely cited. Treat the spread as a range.
Does ideal weight account for muscle or frame size?
- No — it uses only height and sex. Use body-fat % and frame size for a fuller picture.
What's the ideal weight for my height?
- Enter your height above; the tool shows all four formulas plus the healthy BMI range.
Is ideal weight the same as a healthy weight?
- Not exactly — a healthy weight is the BMI 18.5–24.9 range, which is usually wider than a single formula value.
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Disclaimer. Ideal-weight formulas are clinical guides, not personal targets, and are not a substitute for medical advice.