Ideal Body Weight Calculator ⚖️
Use this free Ideal Body Weight Calculator to estimate a healthy body weight range based on your height and gender.
This tool uses trusted formulas such as Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi to calculate your ideal body weight and also shows a healthy BMI weight range to help you better understand your target weight and overall fitness goals.
Calculate your healthy weight range based on multiple clinical formulas.
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What Is an Ideal Body Weight Calculator?
An Ideal Body Weight (IBW) calculator is a tool that uses your gender, height, and body frame size to estimate the optimal healthy weight for your body. While it cannot account for heavy muscle mass (like a bodybuilder might have), it provides a highly accurate baseline for the average person to set healthy weight loss or weight gain goals. You can also explore more wellness tools in our Health Calculators section.
How Is Ideal Body Weight Calculated?
Ideal body weight is not a single number. Instead, it is an average derived from four specific mathematical formulas created by doctors between 1964 and 1983 (Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi). All of these formulas use a baseline weight for a person who is exactly 5 feet (60 inches) tall, and then add a specific amount of weight for every inch over 5 feet. For broader healthy weight guidance, see the CDC healthy weight guidance.
Ideal Body Weight Formulas Explained
Here are the exact mathematical equations used to calculate IBW for Men and Women (calculated in Kilograms):
| Formula Name | Equation for Men | Equation for Women |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5ft | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 52.0 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5ft | 49.0 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5ft |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5ft | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5ft |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48.0 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5ft | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5ft |
Healthy BMI Weight Range
While the IBW formulas pinpoint a specific number, the medical community typically relies on the Body Mass Index (BMI). A "healthy" BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. Our calculator reverses the BMI math to show you the exact spectrum of weight you can carry and still be considered medically healthy for your height.
How to Use the Ideal Body Weight Calculator
- Step 1: Select your preferred measurement system (Imperial or Metric).
- Step 2: Select your Gender and your estimated Body Frame Size (small, medium, or large).
- Step 3: Enter your exact height.
- Step 4 (Optional): Enter your current weight to see exactly how many pounds or kilograms you are away from your target and plot your position on the visual gauge.
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What is ideal body weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimate of a healthy weight for a person of a given height and sex. It was originally developed so doctors could calculate medication doses and set clinical targets, so it is a quick reference point rather than a strict goal — and it deliberately does not account for how much of your weight is muscle versus fat.
The ideal body weight formulas
This calculator shows the four formulas clinicians and dietitians use most. All are based on height above 5 feet (152 cm) and differ mainly in their baseline and per-inch increment:
| Formula | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 ft | 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 ft | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 ft | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 ft |
The Devine formula is the most widely used, especially in medicine for drug dosing. Robinson and Miller tend to give slightly lower figures, and Hamwi is the oldest and is still common in dietetics.
Worked example
For a man 5 ft 10 in tall (10 inches over 5 ft), the Devine formula gives 50 + (2.3 × 10) = 73 kg (about 161 lb). A woman of the same height gets 45.5 + 23 = 68.5 kg (about 151 lb).
Ideal body weight vs BMI and body fat
IBW gives a single number, but it says nothing about body composition. A muscular athlete can weigh well above their IBW and be perfectly healthy, while someone sitting at their IBW can still carry excess body fat. For a fuller picture, read IBW alongside your BMI (which uses the healthy 18.5–24.9 range) and, ideally, a body-fat measurement. Treat the result as a starting reference and speak to a doctor or dietitian before setting a weight target — especially for children, older adults, athletes, or anyone with a medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most accurate ideal body weight formula?
The J. Devine formula (1974) is considered the most widely used and broadly accurate formula for calculating Ideal Body Weight (IBW) for medical and general health purposes.
Is ideal body weight accurate for bodybuilders?
No. Standard Ideal Body Weight formulas do not account for muscle mass or body composition. Athletes and bodybuilders will often weigh significantly more than their 'ideal' body weight because muscle is denser than fat.
What is the healthy BMI weight range?
According to the World Health Organization, a healthy weight is one that places your Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9. Our calculator automatically finds the exact weight range that fits those parameters for your height.