Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal body weight based on height, age, and gender.
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What is Ideal Weight Calculator?
The Ideal Weight Calculator estimates your ideal body weight using four well-established medical formulas: the Devine formula (1974), Robinson formula (1983), Miller formula (1983), and Hamwi formula (1964). Rather than providing a single number, this calculator shows results from all four formulas to give you a comprehensive range of ideal weight estimates. Each formula was developed from different clinical research and population studies, so the variation between them reflects the inherent complexity of defining a single "ideal" weight for any individual.
The concept of ideal body weight originated in the insurance industry in the early 20th century, when life insurance companies began tracking the weights associated with the lowest mortality rates for different heights. Over the decades, medical researchers refined these observations into mathematical formulas. Today, ideal body weight calculations are used in clinical settings for drug dosing, ventilator settings, and nutritional assessment, as well as by individuals seeking evidence-based weight goals. Understanding your ideal weight range provides a useful reference point, though it should always be interpreted alongside other health indicators.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your height in centimeters (or feet and inches) and select your gender. The calculator will display your ideal body weight according to all four formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi) and show the average. Optionally, measure your wrist circumference to determine your frame size, which can adjust the ideal weight estimate by plus or minus 10 percent. Compare the range of results to your current weight to understand where you stand, and use the BMI-based healthy weight range as additional context.
Formula
Devine Formula (1974): Men: IBW = 50 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet Women: IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet Robinson Formula (1983): Men: IBW = 52 + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet Women: IBW = 49 + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet Miller Formula (1983): Men: IBW = 56.2 + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet Women: IBW = 53.1 + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet Hamwi Formula (1964): Men: IBW = 48.0 + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet Women: IBW = 45.5 + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet
Worked Examples
Man, 175 cm (5'9") tall, medium frame
Devine: 50 + (2.3 x 9) = 70.7 kg. Robinson: 52 + (1.9 x 9) = 69.1 kg. Miller: 56.2 + (1.41 x 9) = 68.9 kg. Hamwi: 48 + (2.7 x 9) = 72.3 kg. Range: 68.9 to 72.3 kg. Average: 70.3 kg. For a medium-framed man of this height, an ideal weight around 69 to 72 kg is a reasonable target.
Woman, 163 cm (5'4") tall, small frame
Devine: 45.5 + (2.3 x 4) = 54.7 kg. Robinson: 49 + (1.7 x 4) = 55.8 kg. Miller: 53.1 + (1.36 x 4) = 58.5 kg. Hamwi: 45.5 + (2.2 x 4) = 54.3 kg. Range: 54.3 to 58.5 kg. Average: 55.8 kg. For a small-framed woman, subtract 10 percent: approximately 50 to 53 kg would be appropriate.
Man, 183 cm (6'0") tall, large frame
Devine: 50 + (2.3 x 12) = 77.6 kg. Robinson: 52 + (1.9 x 12) = 74.8 kg. Miller: 56.2 + (1.41 x 12) = 73.1 kg. Hamwi: 48 + (2.7 x 12) = 80.4 kg. Range: 73.1 to 80.4 kg. Average: 76.5 kg. For a large-framed man, add 10 percent: approximately 80 to 88 kg is a reasonable ideal weight range.
Ideal Weight Comparison by Formula (Medium Frame)
| Height | Devine (Men/Women) | Robinson (Men/Women) | Miller (Men/Women) | Hamwi (Men/Women) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm (5'1") | 52.3 / 47.8 kg | 53.9 / 50.7 kg | 57.6 / 54.5 kg | 50.7 / 47.7 kg |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 56.9 / 52.4 kg | 57.7 / 54.1 kg | 60.4 / 57.2 kg | 56.1 / 52.1 kg |
| 165 cm (5'5") | 61.5 / 57.0 kg | 61.5 / 57.5 kg | 63.2 / 59.8 kg | 61.5 / 56.5 kg |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 66.1 / 61.6 kg | 65.3 / 60.9 kg | 66.0 / 62.5 kg | 66.9 / 60.9 kg |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 70.7 / 66.2 kg | 69.1 / 64.3 kg | 68.9 / 65.2 kg | 72.3 / 65.3 kg |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 75.3 / 70.8 kg | 72.9 / 67.7 kg | 71.7 / 67.9 kg | 77.7 / 69.7 kg |
| 185 cm (6'1") | 79.9 / 75.4 kg | 76.7 / 71.1 kg | 74.5 / 70.6 kg | 83.1 / 74.1 kg |
| 190 cm (6'3") | 84.5 / 80.0 kg | 80.5 / 74.5 kg | 77.3 / 73.3 kg | 88.5 / 78.5 kg |
Benefits of Using This Calculator
- Compare four clinically established ideal weight formulas for a comprehensive range
- Understand how frame size affects your personal ideal weight target
- Set realistic, evidence-based weight goals rather than arbitrary targets
- Use medically recognized formulas that are trusted in clinical practice
- Gain perspective on healthy weight that goes beyond BMI alone
Practical Tips
- Use the average of all four formulas as your best single estimate, and treat a range of plus or minus 10 percent as your healthy target zone.
- Determine your frame size using wrist circumference measurement to adjust the ideal weight estimates for your body structure.
- Focus on body composition rather than scale weight. Two people at the same weight can look and feel very different based on their muscle-to-fat ratio.
- If your current weight is significantly above the ideal range, set intermediate goals of 5 to 10 percent weight loss, which is enough to produce meaningful health improvements.
- Remember that these formulas were developed decades ago using specific populations and may not perfectly apply to all ethnic groups, body types, or age ranges.
Related Concepts
Adjusted Body Weight
Adjusted body weight (AdjBW) is used clinically when a patient's actual weight significantly exceeds their ideal body weight, typically by more than 30 percent. It is calculated as: AdjBW = IBW + 0.4 x (Actual Weight - IBW). This adjusted value is used for more accurate drug dosing and nutritional calculations in obese patients, as neither ideal weight nor actual weight alone gives the best estimate for clinical purposes.
Lean Body Mass
Lean body mass (LBM) is the total weight of your body minus all fat weight. It includes the weight of organs, bones, muscles, blood, and everything else except fat tissue. LBM can be estimated using the Boer formula: for men, LBM = 0.407 x weight (kg) + 0.267 x height (cm) - 19.2; for women, LBM = 0.252 x weight (kg) + 0.473 x height (cm) - 48.3. LBM is increasingly used in clinical practice as an alternative to ideal body weight for drug dosing.
Key Takeaways
- 1There is no single "perfect" ideal weight; the four established formulas each provide slightly different estimates, and the range between them represents a healthy target zone.
- 2Frame size (small, medium, or large) can adjust ideal weight by approximately 10 percent in either direction, accounting for natural differences in bone structure.
- 3Ideal body weight formulas are most useful as reference points; overall health depends on body composition, fitness level, and metabolic health rather than a specific number on the scale.
- 4In clinical medicine, ideal body weight is critically important for calculating drug dosages and ventilator settings, making these formulas relevant beyond personal weight goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight range associated with the lowest risk of weight-related health problems for a given height and gender. It is not a single exact number but rather a range, as healthy weight depends on multiple factors including body composition, bone structure, muscle mass, and overall fitness level. Several formulas have been developed to estimate IBW, each producing slightly different results. The concept is used in clinical settings for drug dosing, nutritional assessment, and setting healthy weight goals, but should be considered alongside other health indicators rather than as an absolute target.
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