Ideal Weight Calculator
Estimate your ideal body weight (IBW) in pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg) based on your height, gender, and body frame using four clinically established formulas—Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi—alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) healthy BMI weight range.
Your Ideal Weight Results
Male • 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm)| Formula / Method | US Units (Pounds) | Metric Units (Kilograms) |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson Formula (1983) Population study refinement | 156.5 lbs | 71.0 kg |
| Miller Formula (1983) Actuarial mortality tables | 155.0 lbs | 70.3 kg |
| Devine Formula (1974) Most widely used clinical standard | 160.9 lbs | 73.0 kg |
| Hamwi Formula (1964) Clinical nutrition & frame baseline | 165.3 lbs | 75.0 kg |
| Healthy BMI Range (WHO) Normal BMI: 18.5 – 25.0 kg/m² | 128.9 – 174.2 lbs | 58.5 – 79.0 kg |
Medical Disclaimer: "Ideal body weight" is an estimate derived from mathematical equations and population averages. It is not a medical diagnosis or a universally optimal target for every individual. Consult a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.
What Is Ideal Body Weight (IBW)?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimated weight value originally developed by medical researchers, pharmacologists, and actuaries to determine safe medication dosages and evaluate population-level health longevity based on a person's height and biological sex. Today, an Ideal Weight Calculator serves as a practical reference point to help men and women understand how their current body weight compares to established clinical benchmarks and the World Health Organization's (WHO) healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) spectrum.
Rather than prescribing a single rigid number that everyone must weigh, modern health guidelines view ideal weight as a healthy weight range. Because two individuals of the exact same height and gender can have vastly different bone densities, skeletal frame widths, and lean muscle mass percentages, comparing multiple scientific formulas alongside your healthy BMI range provides a far more realistic perspective.
How Does the Ideal Weight Calculator Work?
Our calculator computes your estimated ideal weight instantaneously in your browser by converting your height into total inches above 5 feet (60 inches) and total meters, then applying four universally recognized clinical formulas alongside the WHO BMI formula:
- Select Your Unit System: Toggle effortlessly between US Units (feet and inches, outputting primary figures in pounds) and Metric Units (centimeters, highlighting kilograms). Both pounds and kilograms are always shown side-by-side in your results table.
- Choose Your Gender: Because men naturally carry a higher baseline proportion of skeletal mass and lean muscle tissue per inch of height than women, all four clinical equations use gender-specific base weights and per-inch increments.
- Enter Your Exact Height: Input your height in feet and inches (such as
5 ft 6 inor6 ft 0 in) or in centimeters (such as170 cm). Internally, the calculator converts height using the exact international standard of1 inch = 2.54 cmand1 kg = 2.20462262 lbsto prevent rounding errors. - Adjust for Body Frame Size (Optional): Selecting a Small (-10%), Medium (standard), or Large (+10%) skeletal frame adjusts the formula estimates to reflect wrist circumference and bone structure differences.
Ideal Weight Formulas Explained
Each formula in our Ideal Body Weight Calculator uses a base weight assigned to a height of 5 feet (60 inches / 152.4 cm) and adds a specific weight increment in kilograms for every inch over 5 feet:
1. Devine Formula (1974)
Men: 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Created by Dr. Ben J. Devine in 1974 to calculate drug clearances (such as gentamicin, digoxin, and theophylline) in patients, the Devine equation remains the most widely cited IBW equation in clinical medicine worldwide.
2. Robinson Formula (1983)
Men: 52.0 kg + 1.9 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: 49.0 kg + 1.7 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Published by Dr. J.D. Robinson and colleagues in 1983 to refine the Devine formula using updated Metropolitan Life Insurance height-weight data, offering a more moderate weight progression for taller women and men.
3. Miller Formula (1983)
Men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Developed by Dr. D.R. Miller in the same year, this formula starts with a higher base weight at 5 feet and adds a smaller increment per inch, closely matching 1983 actuarial longevity tables.
4. Hamwi Formula (1964)
Men: 48.0 kg + 2.7 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Introduced by Dr. G.J. Hamwi for diabetes and dietetic management, this quick-reference clinical nutrition equation is often paired with a ±10% adjustment for small or large skeletal frames.
Ideal Weight by Height Chart (Men & Women)
Height is the primary geometric driver of body mass. As height increases, body volume scales in three dimensions, requiring greater bone mass, blood volume, organ size, and muscle tissue. Below is a quick-reference Ideal Weight Chart comparing the Devine formula and the WHO Healthy BMI Range across common adult heights:
| Height (US / Metric) | Women Ideal Weight (Devine) | Men Ideal Weight (Devine) | Healthy BMI Range (18.5–25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in (152.4 cm) | 100.3 lbs (45.5 kg) | 110.2 lbs (50.0 kg) | 94.6 – 127.8 lbs (42.9 – 58.0 kg) |
| 5 ft 2 in (157.5 cm) | 110.5 lbs (50.1 kg) | 120.4 lbs (54.6 kg) | 101.0 – 136.5 lbs (45.8 – 61.9 kg) |
| 5 ft 4 in (162.6 cm) | 120.6 lbs (54.7 kg) | 130.5 lbs (59.2 kg) | 107.6 – 145.5 lbs (48.8 – 66.0 kg) |
| 5 ft 6 in (167.6 cm) | 130.7 lbs (59.3 kg) | 140.7 lbs (63.8 kg) | 114.4 – 154.7 lbs (51.9 – 70.2 kg) |
| 5 ft 8 in (172.7 cm) | 140.9 lbs (63.9 kg) | 150.8 lbs (68.4 kg) | 121.5 – 164.2 lbs (55.1 – 74.5 kg) |
| 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm) | 151.0 lbs (68.5 kg) | 160.9 lbs (73.0 kg) | 128.9 – 174.2 lbs (58.5 – 79.0 kg) |
| 6 ft 0 in (182.9 cm) | 161.2 lbs (73.1 kg) | 171.1 lbs (77.6 kg) | 136.4 – 184.3 lbs (61.9 – 83.6 kg) |
| 6 ft 2 in (188.0 cm) | 171.3 lbs (77.7 kg) | 181.2 lbs (82.2 kg) | 144.0 – 194.7 lbs (65.3 – 88.3 kg) |
Ideal Weight for Men vs. Women
When comparing the ideal weight for men and the ideal weight for women of identical height, you will notice that men's formula estimates are consistently higher—typically by 10 to 25 pounds (4.5 to 11.5 kg) depending on height. This distinction is grounded in human physiology:
- Skeletal Density & Frame Width: Adult males generally possess broader shoulder girdles, thicker cortical bone structures, and higher total bone mineral mass.
- Lean Muscle vs. Essential Body Fat: Driven by testosterone, men carry a higher percentage of dense skeletal muscle tissue, whereas women physiologically require a higher percentage of essential body fat (10–13% in women vs. 2–5% in men) for endocrine and reproductive health.
Is Ideal Weight the Same as Healthy Weight?
No, ideal weight is not identical to healthy weight. An "ideal weight" produced by the Devine, Robinson, Miller, or Hamwi equation is a single mathematical point estimate. By contrast, a healthy weight is a broad physiological spectrum in which your cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal systems function optimally without elevated disease risk.
For example, a 5 ft 10 in male has a Devine ideal weight of 160.9 lbs (73.0 kg), yet any weight between 128.9 lbs and 174.2 lbs (58.5 – 79.0 kg) falls within the World Health Organization's healthy BMI range. Furthermore, an athletic individual with low body fat and significant muscle mass may weigh 185 lbs at 5 ft 10 in and still be in peak metabolic health.
BMI vs. Ideal Weight: What Is the Difference?
- Ideal Body Weight (IBW) Formulas: Differentiate between men and women and add a linear amount of weight (in kg) for every inch of height above 5 feet. They provide a single target figure per formula.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Calculated as
Weight (kg) ÷ [Height (m)]². BMI does not distinguish between adult men and women, nor does it output a single number; instead, it defines a healthy weight range between 18.5 and 24.9 (or 25.0) kg/m².
Using both metrics together solves the weaknesses of each: the BMI range gives you realistic upper and lower boundaries, while the four IBW formulas pinpoint the central tendency within that range for your specific sex.
How Accurate Is an Ideal Weight Calculator? (Important Limitations)
While ideal weight calculators are highly accurate at executing clinical equations, the equations themselves have well-documented limitations that every user should keep in mind:
- Body Composition Blindness: Like BMI, height-based formulas cannot distinguish between adipose tissue (body fat) and lean skeletal muscle mass. Strength athletes, bodybuilders, and manual laborers frequently exceed their calculated IBW while maintaining healthy body fat percentages.
- Heights Under 5 Feet: Because all four classic formulas use 5 feet (60 inches) as their mathematical baseline, they were not originally designed for very short statures.
- Age-Related Changes: As adults age past 60, slight shifts in bone mineral density and muscle distribution occur. Carrying slightly more weight within the upper end of the normal BMI range is often associated with better resilience in older adults.
- Frame Size & Ethnicity: Standard formulas were largely derived from Western population data. Adjusting for frame size (measuring wrist circumference relative to height) or pairing your IBW estimate with a waist-to-height ratio (keeping waist circumference under half your height) offers a superior picture of health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is ideal body weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is a mathematically estimated target weight based on a person's height and biological sex. Originally created to calculate safe medication dosages and evaluate population mortality rates, it serves as a general reference benchmark alongside healthy BMI ranges.
How is ideal weight calculated?
Ideal weight is calculated by starting with a gender-specific baseline weight for a person who is 5 feet (60 inches) tall, and then adding a fixed weight increment for every inch above 5 feet. For example, the widely used Devine formula starts at 50.0 kg for men (45.5 kg for women) and adds 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet.
What is my ideal weight for my height?
Your ideal weight depends on your exact height and sex. For instance, at 5 ft 6 in (167.6 cm), the Devine formula estimates 130.7 lbs (59.3 kg) for women and 140.7 lbs (63.8 kg) for men, with a healthy BMI weight range of 114.4 to 154.7 lbs (51.9 to 70.2 kg). Enter your height in the calculator above for your exact figures.
What is the ideal weight for men?
For men, ideal weight is calculated as 50.0 kg (110.2 lbs) at 5 feet tall plus 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs) for each additional inch under the Devine formula. A 5 ft 10 in man has an estimated ideal weight between 155.0 and 165.3 lbs (70.3 to 75.0 kg) across the four clinical formulas.
What is the ideal weight for women?
For women, ideal weight starts between 45.5 kg (100.3 lbs) and 53.1 kg (117.1 lbs) at 5 feet tall depending on the formula used, adding 1.36 kg to 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. A 5 ft 5 in woman has an estimated ideal weight between 125.7 and 132.1 lbs (57.0 to 59.9 kg).
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
The Devine formula (1974) is the most widely adopted standard in hospitals and pharmacology, while the Robinson (1983) and Miller (1983) formulas often align closer to general population averages for shorter and taller heights. However, combining these formulas with the WHO Healthy BMI range (18.5–25 kg/m²) gives the most balanced assessment.
Is ideal weight the same as healthy weight?
No. Ideal weight formulas return a single statistical number, whereas a healthy weight is a broader personal range influenced by muscle mass, bone density, body fat distribution, age, and overall metabolic health.
Is an ideal weight calculator accurate for athletes?
Ideal weight calculators have lower accuracy for athletes and resistance-trained individuals because height-based formulas do not measure body fat percentage or lean muscle mass. Muscular individuals often weigh more than their formula-based IBW while remaining exceptionally healthy.
How does height affect ideal weight?
Each inch of height increases skeletal volume, organ mass, blood volume, and muscle tissue length. Clinical IBW formulas account for this by adding 1.36 kg to 2.7 kg (3.0 to 6.0 lbs) per inch of height over 5 feet.
What is the difference between ideal weight and BMI?
Ideal weight formulas use gender-specific linear equations based on inches over 5 feet to output a specific target weight, whereas Body Mass Index (BMI) squares your height in meters to establish a gender-neutral healthy weight range (BMI 18.5 to 25.0).