What “ideal weight” means
Ideal body weight formulas were created by doctors in the 1970s and 1980s to dose medication and estimate kidney function, not to set a personal goal. They still give a useful reference point for your height. This calculator compares four classic formulas with the healthy weight range defined by body mass index (BMI).
The formulas
All four start from a base weight at 5 ft and add a fixed amount for each inch above it. Results are in kilograms, converted to pounds.
| 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 |
The healthy BMI range is the weight that gives a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9: weight = BMI × height in meters².
Worked example: a man who is 5 ft 10 in
- Inches above 5 ft: 10.
- Devine: 50 + 2.3 × 10 = 73 kg, or 161 lb.
- Robinson: 52 + 19 = 71 kg, or 157 lb. Miller: 155 lb. Hamwi: 165 lb.
- Healthy BMI range: 18.5 × 1.778² to 24.9 × 1.778², or 129 to 174 lb.
- At 180 lb, he is 6.5 lb above the top of the range.
Ideal weight by height (men)
| Height | Devine | BMI range |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 110 lb | 95–127 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 131 lb | 108–145 lb |
| 5 ft 7 in | 146 lb | 118–159 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 161 lb | 129–174 lb |
| 6 ft 1 in | 176 lb | 140–189 lb |
| 6 ft 4 in | 191 lb | 152–205 lb |
How to use the result
- Use a range, not a number. The BMI range spans 30 to 55 lb depending on height. Anywhere inside it can be healthy.
- Look at your waist too. Fat around the abdomen matters more for heart health than total weight. The waist-to-hip ratio calculator helps with that.
- Muscle changes the picture. Athletes often weigh more than every formula suggests while carrying little fat.
- Small changes count. For people above the range, losing 5 to 10% of body weight already improves blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Limits
The formulas were built on adults of average build and are not meant for children, teenagers, pregnant women or older adults with frailty. Below 5 ft, they become unreliable. This tool gives general information only and does not replace advice from a doctor or registered dietitian.