Ideal Weight Calculator
See the ideal body weight for your height and sex from four classic formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi) next to the healthy BMI weight range.
Key facts
- “Ideal weight” formulas were made for medicine dosing and insurance tables, not as personal targets.
- They only use height and sex, so they ignore muscle, frame size and age.
- The healthy BMI range (18.5 to 24.9) is usually the more useful guide: it gives a range, not one number.
The four formulas
Each starts from a base weight at 5 feet (152.4 cm) and adds a fixed amount for every inch above that:
| Formula | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch | 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch |
Example: a man who is 5′10″ (178 cm) is 10 inches over 5 feet, so Devine gives 50 + 2.3 × 10 = 73 kg (161 lb). The healthy BMI range at that height is about 59 to 79 kg (129 to 174 lb).
Limits of “ideal” weight
- The Devine formula was designed to calculate drug doses, and Hamwi’s came from life-insurance tables.
- They don’t know how much of your weight is muscle. Athletes are often “above” their ideal weight and perfectly healthy.
- They were not made for people under 5 feet (152 cm), and give odd results there.
A better personal goal is a weight in the healthy BMI range that you can keep with habits you enjoy. Check your BMI and body fat, and use the calorie deficit calculator to plan how to get there.
Your real TDEE, measured by the app
Calculators give an estimate. Log your weight and food for two weeks and the TDEE Calculator app works out what your body really burns, then keeps your target up to date.
- Measured TDEE from your own weight trend and food log
- Food diary with 356 everyday foods from around the world and a barcode scanner
- AI coach and photo calories: snap your plate, check the estimate, add it
- 74 languages, metric or US units, Ramadan mode and reminders
- Private: your log stays on your phone. No ads, no trackers
Ideal weight calculator questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
None is clearly best. Robinson and Miller tend to give results closest to modern healthy ranges for average heights; Devine and Hamwi rise faster for tall people. The average of the four is a reasonable middle.
What should I weigh for my height?
A weight that gives a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy for most adults. The calculator shows that range for your height.
Does ideal weight depend on age?
These formulas don’t include age. Many older adults do well at the upper part of the healthy range, and keeping muscle matters more than a number.
Why is my ideal weight so different from my current weight?
The formulas don’t account for muscle or frame size. If your body fat and waist size are healthy, your current weight may be fine.
Sources
- Devine BJ. Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1974;8:650-655.
- Robinson JD, Lupkiewicz SM, Palenik L, et al. Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40(6):1016-1019.
- Miller DR, Carlson JD, Lloyd BJ, Day BJ. Determining ideal body weight (and mass). Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40(10):1622-1625.
- Hamwi GJ. Therapy: changing dietary concepts. In: Danowski TS, ed. Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Diabetes Association; 1964:73 to 78.