Ideal Weight Calculator
Estimate a healthy weight range from your height using common formulas.
"Ideal weight" formulas estimate a healthy weight range based on height and sex, using methods developed decades ago for medical dosing purposes and later adopted more broadly as general guidelines.
Where this formula comes from
This uses the Devine formula, originally created in 1974 to help calculate medication dosing based on body weight. It's since become a common general reference point, though it was never designed to be a precise target for every individual — it doesn't account for frame size, muscle mass, or body composition.
Why to treat this as a rough guide
Two people at the same height can have very different healthy weights depending on muscle mass, bone structure, and body composition. This number is a reasonable population-level reference point, not a number to chase exactly — a doctor or dietitian can give guidance specific to your body.
Frequently asked questions
Why do different ideal weight formulas give different results?
Several formulas exist (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi), developed at different times with slightly different underlying data and assumptions — they generally land in a similar range but rarely give the exact same number.
Is BMI or ideal body weight more useful?
They're both rough screening tools with similar limitations — neither accounts for body composition. Waist circumference and body fat percentage tend to give more actionable health information than either.