How to use Ideal Weight Calculator
The ideal weight calculator shows your ideal body weight according to four widely cited medical formulas: Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), Devine (1974) and Hamwi (1964). All formulas take height and gender as inputs and express the result in kilograms or pounds. A healthy BMI weight range (18.5–24.9) is also calculated as a reference. Because ideal weight is highly individual, the results are best used as a broad reference rather than a strict target.
- Choose your gender.
- Select the unit system (imperial for feet/inches, metric for cm).
- Enter your height in feet and inches or in centimetres.
- View ideal weight estimates from all four formulas and the healthy BMI range.
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The four ideal weight formulas compared
The Devine formula was created in 1974 for drug dosage calculation, not to define an aesthetic ideal; it adds 2.3 kg per inch above 5 feet for men (2.3 kg/in for women). Hamwi (1964) uses the same structure with slightly different constants. Robinson and Miller (both 1983) are evidence-based refinements that produced somewhat lower values. All formulas assume a linear relationship with height and do not account for muscle mass, ethnicity or frame size.
| Formula | Year | Basis | Result (male, 178 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamwi | 1964 | Clinical reference | 78.0 kg |
| Devine | 1974 | Pharmacological dosing | 75.1 kg |
| Robinson | 1983 | Body weight survey | 71.9 kg |
| Miller | 1983 | Devine refinement | 73.0 kg |
Healthy BMI weight ranges by height
The table below shows the healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) for common heights. Values are in kilograms and approximate pounds.
| Height | Min (kg) | Max (kg) | Min (lbs) | Max (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4'11") | 41.6 | 56.0 | 92 | 123 |
| 155 cm (5'1") | 44.4 | 59.8 | 98 | 132 |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 47.4 | 63.8 | 104 | 141 |
| 165 cm (5'5") | 50.4 | 67.8 | 111 | 149 |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 53.5 | 72.0 | 118 | 159 |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 56.7 | 76.3 | 125 | 168 |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 59.9 | 80.7 | 132 | 178 |
| 185 cm (6'1") | 63.3 | 85.2 | 140 | 188 |
| 190 cm (6'3") | 66.7 | 89.9 | 147 | 198 |
Why "ideal weight" is more nuanced than a number
These formulas were developed decades ago on relatively homogeneous study populations and may not reflect modern diversity in muscle mass, bone density or ethnicity. A lean 180 cm athlete with 10% body fat may weigh 90 kg — well above any formula's estimate yet perfectly healthy. The BMI range (18.5–24.9) is also imperfect but tends to correlate with reduced cardiovascular risk at population level. Use these estimates as starting conversations with a healthcare provider, not as personal targets.
Worked examples
Man, 175 cm
Inputs: Devine formula, male
Result: 50 + 2.3 × 8.9 in over 5 ft ≈ 70.5 kg
Woman, 165 cm
Inputs: Devine formula, female
Result: 45.5 + 2.3 × 4.96 in over 5 ft ≈ 56.9 kg
Glossary
- Devine formula
- A 1974 ideal weight equation originally created for medication dosing.
- BMI
- Body Mass Index — weight (kg) divided by height² (m²); a broad health screening tool.
- Frame size
- Bone structure width (small/medium/large) that is unaccounted for in most ideal weight formulas.
- Lean body mass
- Total bodyweight minus fat mass; the component most closely tied to metabolic function.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use Ideal Weight Calculator?
- Shows results from four medical formulas — Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller — simultaneously for comparison
- Includes the healthy BMI weight range alongside formula results to provide broader context
- Supports metric and imperial inputs with automatic unit conversion
- Makes clear that formula estimates are population-level reference points, not strict personal targets
Common use cases
- Compare all four formula estimates before setting a weight goal with a healthcare provider
- Check where your current weight stands relative to the healthy BMI range for your height
- Use as a rough anchor when deciding how aggressive a calorie deficit to adopt
- Understand the spread between Hamwi and Robinson estimates to appreciate formula uncertainty
- Cross-reference ideal weight estimates when adjusting goals after significant body composition change
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