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Ideal Weight Calculator

Calculate ideal body weight using Robinson, Miller, Devine, and Hamwi formulas. Compare results with healthy BMI range.

Gender
feet inches

Ideal weight based on popular formulas:

FormulaIdeal Weight
Robinson (1983)156.5 lbs
Miller (1983)155.0 lbs
Devine (1974)160.9 lbs
Hamwi (1964)165.3 lbs
Healthy BMI Range129.0 lbs – 173.5 lbs

Ideal Body Weight Formulas

Several formulas estimate ideal body weight (IBW) based on height. All were originally designed for drug dosing but are widely used as general health references.

Formula Summary

FormulaMale (kg)Female (kg)
Robinson (1983)52 + 1.9 per inch over 5'49 + 1.7 per inch over 5'
Miller (1983)56.2 + 1.41 per inch over 5'53.1 + 1.36 per inch over 5'
Devine (1974)50 + 2.3 per inch over 5'45.5 + 2.3 per inch over 5'
Hamwi (1964)48 + 2.7 per inch over 5'45.5 + 2.2 per inch over 5'

Healthy BMI Range

The World Health Organization defines a healthy BMI as 18.5–24.9. The calculator converts this to a weight range for your height using: Weight = BMI × height(m)².

Limitations

  • No body composition: These formulas don't distinguish muscle from fat. A muscular 5'10" person may be perfectly healthy at 200 lbs
  • Frame size ignored: People with larger bone structures naturally weigh more
  • Population bias: Formulas were developed primarily from Caucasian populations and may not apply equally to all ethnicities
  • Height below 5 feet: All formulas use inches over 5 feet as the variable — results for shorter heights are extrapolations

Better Alternatives

  • Body fat percentage: Healthy ranges are 10–20% for men, 18–28% for women. Use our Body Fat Calculator
  • BMI: While imperfect, BMI combined with waist circumference gives a reasonable health assessment. See our BMI Calculator
  • Waist-to-height ratio: Keep waist below half your height. Simple, effective, and accounts for central obesity

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On conv.awajis.com

Pounds to Kilograms

Convert a target weight to metric.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is ideal weight calculated?

This calculator uses four established formulas — Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), Devine (1974), and Hamwi (1964) — plus the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9). Each formula estimates ideal weight based on height and gender.

Which formula is most accurate?

The Robinson formula is generally considered the most accurate for the general population. However, none of these formulas account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition.

Why do the formulas give different results?

Each formula was developed using different study populations and methodologies. The range between them gives a reasonable target zone rather than a single "perfect" number.

Does age affect ideal weight?

These formulas use only height and gender. Age-related changes in body composition (muscle loss, bone density) mean older adults may have a slightly different healthy range.

What about athletes and muscular people?

These formulas can underestimate ideal weight for muscular individuals. A bodybuilder at 5'10" may weigh 200+ lbs at a healthy body fat. Use a body fat calculator for better assessment.

Worked example using the Devine formula for a woman?

For a woman who is 168 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall, Devine gives: 45.5 + (2.3 × 7 inches over 5 ft) = 45.5 + 16.1 = 61.6 kg as the estimated ideal weight.

What were these formulas originally designed for?

All four formulas were developed for drug dosing, not general health assessment. The Devine formula (1974) was created to estimate dosing weight for digoxin. Their use as a general health reference came later out of convenience.

How is ideal weight different from goal weight?

Ideal weight is a formula-based estimate derived from height and gender. Goal weight is a personal target that may incorporate body composition, fitness history, and individual health context. The two numbers often differ significantly.