Ideal Weight Calculator
Enter your sex and height to see ideal body weight from four classic formulas.
What this tool does
Ideal body weight formulas add a set amount for each inch of height above 5 feet. For a man of 5 ft 10 in the Devine formula gives 73 kg (50 + 2.3 × 10), Robinson 71 kg, Miller 70.3 kg and Hamwi 75 kg. Enter your height and sex to see all four and the healthy BMI range.
Applies four published ideal body weight formulas to your height and sex.
Shows their average and the weight range for a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
How to use it
- Choose the sex the formula should use.
- Enter your height in feet and inches or centimetres.
- Compare the four results.
- Note the healthy BMI range for your height.
Why use this calculator
Shows the ideal body weight for your height from four classic formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi) side by side, with their average and the healthy BMI range. People often want a single reference weight for their height. The formulas give different answers, so seeing them together shows the range and makes clear that no single number is "right".
Why we built it
We built the ideal weight calculator to show the Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas side by side, so it is clear that they disagree. See the healthy range with the BMI calculator and convert units with the weight converter.
Related tools worth a look: the Macro Calculator and the Body Fat Calculator.
Who this tool is for
- People wanting a reference weight for their height
- Students comparing the classic formulas
- Anyone curious what a form or drug chart is based on
When to use it
- Getting a rough reference for your height.
- Comparing with a BMI range.
- Understanding what a form or a drug-dosing chart is based on.
- Curiosity.
How it works
Each formula is a base weight for 5 ft (60 in) plus an amount per inch above. Devine (1974): men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch, women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg. Robinson (1983): men 52 + 1.9, women 49 + 1.7. Miller (1983): men 56.2 + 1.41, women 53.1 + 1.36. Hamwi (1964): men 48 + 2.7, women 45.5 + 2.2.
Example: a man of 5 ft 10 in, 10 inches over 5 ft: Devine 73 kg, Robinson 71 kg, Miller 70.3 kg and Hamwi 75 kg.
This is an educational estimate from a published formula. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for a clinician who knows your history. If something about your health worries you, speak to a doctor or another qualified professional.
A worked example
These are the values the calculator opens with, so you can see exactly what it does with them. Change any value on the page and the result updates; the figures below come from the same calculation.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Sex used by the formula | Female |
| Height units | Feet and inches |
| Height - feet | 5 |
| Height - inches | 10 |
| Height - centimetres | 178 |
With those inputs, the calculator returns:
- Average of the four formulas: 67.2 kg (148 lb)
- Devine (1974): 68.5 kg (151 lb)
- Robinson (1983): 66 kg (146 lb)
- Miller (1983): 66.7 kg (147 lb)
- Hamwi (1964): 67.5 kg (149 lb)
- Healthy BMI range for this height: 58.5 to 78.7 kg
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sex and height | Used by the formula; heights from 4 ft 10 in to 8 ft. |
| Output | Each formula in kg and lb, the average and the BMI range. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Formulas disagree | They were developed for different purposes. | Treat them as a range, not a target. |
| Not a goal | Ideal weight ignores muscle, frame and age. | Use BMI and waist measures with a professional. |
| Height out of range | Formulas are defined for adult heights. | Check the measurement. |
Assumptions and limitations
- Adults only.
- Ignores frame size, muscle and age.
- Not a health target.
Frequently asked questions
What is ideal body weight?
A reference weight for a given height and sex from a formula; it is a rough guide, not a health goal.
Which formula is best?
None is better; they differ by a few kilograms. The calculator shows all four.
Is ideal weight the same as healthy weight?
Not exactly. A healthy BMI range is wider and is shown separately.
Do these formulas apply to children?
No. They are for adults.
Why are men and women different?
The formulas were derived separately for each, reflecting average differences in build.
Is my information sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing leaves the page.
Sources and accuracy
The tool computes ideal body weight with the classic Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas, each a published empirical equation indexed to height and sex. Healthy weight framing follows public health guidance from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the World Health Organization.
Figures last checked against the source on . Standards and rates can change — if you are relying on this for something that matters, confirm against the source above. Think a figure is wrong or out of date? Send a correction.