Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your ideal weight range based on height and gender using multiple established formulas.
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What Is a Ideal Weight Calculator?
An ideal weight calculator estimates the weight range associated with the lowest health risk for your height and sex. This calculator runs four established formulas — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — and returns a range rather than a single number.
All four formulas were developed from clinical population data between 1964 and 1983. They use height in inches as the primary variable and apply a per-inch increment above a 5-foot baseline. Each formula produces a slightly different result because each was derived from a different study population.
Enter your height and sex below to see all four estimates side by side. Use the range (lowest to highest) as a target zone rather than aiming for one exact number.
How Do You Use This Ideal Weight Calculator?
Enter your height in centimetres and select your gender. Click Calculate to see ideal weight estimates from four established medical formulas.
- Enter your height in centimetres in the height field.
- Select your sex from the dropdown menu.
- Click the Calculate button to run all four formulas.
- Read the individual result from each formula in the output panel.
- Note the overall range from lowest to highest estimate.
- Compare the range against your current weight to gauge your position.
How Does the Ideal Weight Calculator Formula Work?
The formula used: Devine (men): 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60). Devine (women): 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)
All four formulas share the same structure. Start at a base weight for a height of 5 feet (152.4 cm) and add a fixed increment per inch above that baseline.
Devine (men): 50.0 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)Robinson (men): 52.0 + 1.9 × (height in inches - 60)Miller (men): 56.2 + 1.41 × (height in inches - 60)Hamwi (men): 48.0 + 2.7 × (height in inches - 60)
Convert centimetres to inches by dividing by 2.54. Subtract 60 (the inch equivalent of 5 feet). Multiply the remainder by the formula-specific increment and add the base weight.
What Are Some Example Calculations?
For a male 180 cm (70.87 inches) tall: Devine formula = 75.0 kg, Robinson = 73.0 kg, Miller = 71.5 kg, Hamwi = 77.1 kg. Range: 71.5 to 77.1 kg.
Average-height male (175 cm)
175 / 2.54 = 68.9 inches. Inches above 60 = 8.9. Devine: 50.0 + (2.3 × 8.9) = 70.5 kg. Robinson: 52.0 + (1.9 × 8.9) = 68.9 kg.
Ideal weight range: 68.7–72.1 kg across all four formulas.
Tall female (175 cm)
175 / 2.54 = 68.9 inches. Inches above 60 = 8.9. Devine: 45.5 + (2.3 × 8.9) = 65.97 kg. Robinson: 49.0 + (1.7 × 8.9) = 64.1 kg.
Ideal weight range: 62.0–66.0 kg across all four formulas.
Short male (165 cm)
165 / 2.54 = 65.0 inches. Inches above 60 = 5.0. Devine: 50.0 + (2.3 × 5.0) = 61.5 kg. Hamwi: 48.0 + (2.7 × 5.0) = 61.5 kg.
Ideal weight range: 59.3–63.2 kg across all four formulas.
When Should You Use a Ideal Weight Calculator?
Use this calculator when setting a realistic weight goal before starting a diet or fitness programme. The four-formula range gives you a target zone supported by clinical data rather than arbitrary numbers.
Use it alongside a BMI calculator and waist circumference measurement for a more complete picture. Ideal weight formulas do not account for muscle mass or frame size, so athletes and individuals with large or small frames should treat the results as a starting point.
What Do These Terms Mean?
How Do the Options Compare?
| Formula | Year | Base (men) | Per-inch increment (men) | Base (women) | Per-inch increment (women) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devine | 1974 | 50.0 kg | +2.3 kg | 45.5 kg | +2.3 kg |
| Robinson | 1983 | 52.0 kg | +1.9 kg | 49.0 kg | +1.7 kg |
| Miller | 1983 | 56.2 kg | +1.41 kg | 53.1 kg | +1.36 kg |
| Hamwi | 1964 | 48.0 kg | +2.7 kg | 45.5 kg | +2.2 kg |
What Are the Best Tips to Know?
- Use the range from all four formulas rather than fixating on a single number.
- Measure height first thing in the morning — spinal compression reduces height by up to 2 cm during the day.
- Pair ideal weight with BMI and waist circumference for a three-point health assessment.
- Adjust expectations upward by 5–10% if you carry above-average muscle mass.
- Revisit the calculator every 5–10 years because body composition shifts with age.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Treating the ideal weight as a single exact target rather than a range of 5–10 kg.
- Forgetting that these formulas do not account for body frame size or muscle mass.
- Using adult ideal weight formulas for children or teenagers under 18.
- Entering height in inches instead of centimetres, which produces an incorrect conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
No single formula is perfect for everyone. The Devine formula is most commonly used in clinical settings. Using the range from all four formulas gives a more realistic target.
Does ideal weight account for muscle mass?
These formulas are based on height and gender only. They do not account for muscle mass, body composition, or frame size. Athletes may have an ideal weight above these estimates.
Should I aim for an exact ideal weight?
No. Ideal weight is a range, not a single number. Being within 5 to 10% of the calculated range is generally considered healthy. Focus on overall wellbeing rather than a specific number.
Why do the four formulas give different results?
Each formula was developed from a different study population at a different time (1964–1983). The base weight and per-inch increment vary because the researchers used different clinical datasets. The spread typically ranges from 3–8 kg.
How do I account for a large or small body frame?
Measure your wrist circumference. Men with a wrist above 19 cm or women above 16.5 cm typically have a large frame. Add 10% to the formula results for large frames and subtract 10% for small frames.
Are these formulas valid for older adults?
They were developed from data on younger and middle-aged adults. Older adults naturally lose muscle and bone density. A slightly higher ideal weight (by 2–5 kg) may be appropriate after age 65.
Can I use this calculator during pregnancy?
No. Pregnancy weight gain follows trimester-specific guidelines (typically 10–12.5 kg total). Use a pregnancy weight tracker instead. Return to the ideal weight calculator 6–12 months postpartum.
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