Ideal Weight
Find your recommended weight based on your height.
What is the Ideal Weight?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is a target weight range recommended for individuals based on their height, gender, and age. First introduced in the mid-20th century to estimate dosages for medical treatments, the concept of ideal weight has evolved into a popular benchmark for assessing general fitness, health risks, and weight management goals.
Unlike a strict single number, your ideal weight is best understood as a healthy range. Maintaining a weight within this range is associated with lower risks of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and joint-related issues.
Practical Examples & Reference Guide
Below is a reference guide showing the healthy weight ranges (based on the standard BMI range of 18.5 – 24.9) and the Devine formula ideal weights for adult men and women of different heights:
| Height (Ft / Cm) | Healthy BMI Range | Male Ideal Weight (Devine) | Female Ideal Weight (Devine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" / 152 cm | 94.7 – 127.4 lbs (43.0 – 57.8 kg) | 110.2 lbs (50.0 kg) | 100.3 lbs (45.5 kg) |
| 5'3" / 160 cm | 104.5 – 140.7 lbs (47.4 – 63.8 kg) | 125.4 lbs (56.9 kg) | 115.5 lbs (52.4 kg) |
| 5'6" / 168 cm | 115.1 – 154.9 lbs (52.2 – 70.3 kg) | 140.7 lbs (63.8 kg) | 130.7 lbs (59.3 kg) |
| 5'9" / 175 cm | 124.9 – 168.1 lbs (56.7 – 76.2 kg) | 155.9 lbs (70.7 kg) | 146.0 lbs (66.2 kg) |
| 6'0" / 183 cm | 136.6 – 183.9 lbs (62.0 – 83.4 kg) | 171.1 lbs (77.6 kg) | 161.2 lbs (73.1 kg) |
| 6'3" / 191 cm | 148.8 – 200.3 lbs (67.5 – 90.9 kg) | 186.3 lbs (84.5 kg) | 176.4 lbs (80.0 kg) |
Note: The Devine formula calculates ideal weight starting at a base height of 5 feet (60 inches). For heights below 5 feet, other methods or standard BMI ranges are generally preferred.
In-Depth Technical Guide
The Mathematical Formulas for Ideal Body Weight
Our calculator computes ideal body weight using four historically recognized medical formulas. All formulas start with a baseline weight for an individual who is 5 feet (60 inches) tall, adding or subtracting a specific weight increment for every inch above or below that height.
1. The Devine Formula (1974)
Originally developed to calculate dosages for medications like clearance-based drugs:
- Male: $$IBW = 50.0\text{ kg} + 2.3\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
- Female: $$IBW = 45.5\text{ kg} + 2.3\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
2. The Robinson Formula (1983)
A modification of the Devine formula intended to be more accurate based on updated empirical data:
- Male: $$IBW = 52.0\text{ kg} + 1.9\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
- Female: $$IBW = 49.0\text{ kg} + 1.7\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
3. The Miller Formula (1983)
Another variation of the Devine formula designed to offer a slightly different weight distribution curve:
- Male: $$IBW = 56.2\text{ kg} + 1.41\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
- Female: $$IBW = 53.1\text{ kg} + 1.36\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
4. The Hamwi Formula (1964)
The oldest of the modern formulas, widely used in clinical nutrition and dietetics:
- Male: $$IBW = 48.0\text{ kg} + 2.7\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
- Female: $$IBW = 45.5\text{ kg} + 2.2\text{ kg} \times (Height\ [in] - 60)$$
Important Limitations of Ideal Weight Formulas
While these formulas provide helpful guidelines, they are not absolute measures of fitness or overall health because of several key limitations:
- Muscle Mass and Body Composition: Muscle is denser than fat. Athletic individuals with high muscle mass may be classified as "overweight" by these formulas when they actually have a healthy body fat percentage.
- Frame Size: These equations do not explicitly adjust for small, medium, or large bone structure, which can cause variance in healthy weights by up to 10%.
- Age Factors: As body composition and bone density change with age, a slightly higher weight is often healthier for older adults, which these formulas do not account for.
- Height Extremes: These formulas are mathematically optimized for individuals of average heights and can become less accurate for people who are exceptionally short or tall.