Ideal Weight Calculator – Find Your Healthy Range
Compare results from 4 distinct medical formulas to find the Ideal Body Weight (IBW) that suits your height, gender, and frame size.
Your Details
Standard (Devine)
Ideally between -- - -- lbs
"Ideal Weight" is a medical concept originally designed for calculating safe medication dosages, not necessarily for aesthetic goals. However, it serves as a powerful benchmark for long-term health.
This calculator goes beyond BMI by offering a specific weight target (e.g., "165 lbs") rather than a broad range. We present an average of the top 4 methodologies to give you the most balanced recommendation.
More Than Just a Number
These formulas are strictly based on height. They do not account for muscle mass or body composition. An athlete may weigh far more than their "Ideal Weight" but be perfectly healthy.
The "Frame Size" Factor
A person with a "Large Frame" (thicker wrists/ankles) naturally carries more bone and muscle tissue. We provide a range that adjusts ±10% to account for these genetic differences.
Why Do The Formulas Disagree?
You might notice the Miller Formula suggests a much lower weight than the Devine Formula. This is because they were developed in different decades based on different population data.
The Body Fat Connection
Your "Ideal Weight" is irrelevant if your "Body Composition" is unhealthy.
A 180lb man with 10% body fat is athletic. A 180lb man with 30% body fat is at risk for heart disease. Always pair this calculator with our Body Fat Calculator for the full picture.
Strategic Health Goals
Setting a Realistic Target
Don't obsess over hitting the exact number (e.g., 152 lbs). Instead, view the range as a "Health Zone".
- The +/- 10% Rule:Most doctors accept a weight within 10% of the Devine formula as healthy. If Devine says 150 lbs, a range of 135-165 lbs is typically excellent.
- The Age Factor:As we age, carrying a little extra weight (within the healthy BMI range) can actually be protective against bone density loss and frailty.
The 4 Major Formulas
There is no single "perfect" weight. Medical professionals use several historical formulas to estimate a healthy range. We calculate all of them for you:
Most commonly used for drug dosing.
Women: 45.5kg + 2.3kg per inch over 5ft
Often used for nutritional assessment.
Women: 49kg + 1.7kg per inch over 5ft
Often yields lower numbers.
Women: 53.1kg + 1.36kg per inch over 5ft
The "Rule of Thumb" formula.
Women: 45.5kg + 2.2kg per inch over 5ft
Case Studies: Who fits the formula?
The Distance Runner
Profile: 5'10" Male
Weight: 155 lbs
Devine Target: 160 lbs
Often below IBW due to extreme cardio. Typically healthy.
The Powerlifter
Profile: 5'10" Male
Weight: 200 lbs
Devine Target: 160 lbs
Classified as "Obese" by formula, but has 12% body fat. Formula fails here.
The Office Worker
Profile: 5'10" Male
Weight: 175 lbs
Devine Target: 160 lbs
Slightly over IBW. Likely benefits from losing 10-15 lbs for long-term heart health.
Related Tools
How do I know my frame size?
A simple test is the 'Wrist Test'. Wrap your thumb and middle finger around your opposite wrist. If they overlap, you have a Small frame. If they touch, Medium. If they don't meet, Large.
Is this calculator accurate for children?
No. Children and teenagers are still growing, and their weight-for-height ratios vary wildly during puberty. Use a CDC Growth Chart percentile calculator for anyone under 18.
Why is the BMI range different from Ideal Weight?
BMI provides a very wide 'safe' range (e.g., 125-168 lbs). Ideal Weight formulas try to pinpoint the statistical center of that range (e.g., 145 lbs). Ideal Weight is more specific, while BMI is more forgiving.
I am a bodybuilder. Should I use this?
Absolutely not. These formulas penalize muscle mass. A bodybuilder will almost always be categorized as 'overweight' by these simple height-based formulas.
Does this affect my life insurance?
It can. Insurance actuaries use tables very similar to the 'Metropolitan Life' data (Miller formula). Being significantly over these tables can result in higher premiums.
Weight Terminology
IBW
Ideal Body Weight. A distinct calculated value based on optimal mortality outcomes for a given height and gender.
Frame Size
A measure of bone mass. Small, Medium, and Large frames can account for a 10-15% variance in healthy body weight.
BMI
Body Mass Index. A simple ratio of weight to height. It correlates with IBW but is a different metric.
Devine Formula
The most robust formula (1974), originally for drug dosing, now the gold standard for IBW.
About This Calculator
We aggregate results from the four most scientifically cited formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) to provide a comprehensive look at Ideal Body Weight. These are the same formulas used in clinical pharmacology to dose life-saving medications.