Ideal Weight Calculator
Find healthy weight ranges using multiple formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller) plus BMI guidance.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal body weight based on multiple scientific formulas including Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Example: 5'7" = 67 inches
Ideal Weight Range
📊 Multiple Formula Comparison
🏆 Health Status Badge
📋 BMI Context
This range corresponds to a healthy BMI of 21.5-24.9, which is associated with the lowest health risks for most adults.
Understanding Ideal Body Weight
Ideal body weight is an estimate of what a healthy weight range should be based on your height and gender. Unlike BMI which gives you a single number, ideal weight calculations provide a range that accounts for individual variation in body composition and frame size. These formulas have been developed over decades by medical researchers to help healthcare providers assess patient health.
This calculator uses five different scientifically-validated formulas to give you a comprehensive ideal weight range. The range reflects the fact that healthy weight varies based on muscle mass, bone density, and genetics. Someone who's very muscular might weigh more than these formulas suggest while still being perfectly healthy.
The Five Formulas Explained
📐 Hamwi Formula (1964)
One of the earliest and most widely used formulas. Developed by Dr. G.J. Hamwi for calculating drug dosages, it estimates ideal weight starting from a base weight at 5 feet (60 inches) and adding weight for each additional inch. Men start at 106 lbs and add 6 lbs per inch; women start at 100 lbs and add 5 lbs per inch.
⚕️ Devine Formula (1974)
Developed by Dr. B.J. Devine for calculating medication dosages in patients. This formula uses slightly different base weights and increments than Hamwi. Men start at 110 lbs with 5 lbs per inch over 5 feet; women start at 100 lbs with 4.5 lbs per inch. It tends to estimate slightly higher weights for tall men.
📊 Robinson Formula (1983)
Created as a modification of the Devine formula based on newer population data. Men start at 115 lbs with 4.7 lbs per inch; women at 100 lbs with 4.2 lbs per inch. This formula often falls between Hamwi and Devine estimates and is popular in clinical settings.
🔬 Miller Formula (1983)
Another refinement based on 1980s population studies. Men start at 124 lbs with 4.2 lbs per inch; women at 117 lbs with 3.6 lbs per inch. This formula tends to give the highest estimates, especially for taller individuals, and may better reflect modern body compositions.
💪 BMI-Based Range (Contemporary)
Based on the healthy BMI range of 21.5-24.9, which research shows is associated with the lowest mortality risk. This approach calculates weight ranges directly from BMI rather than using height-based formulas. It provides the widest range and accounts for natural variation in body composition.
Why Use Multiple Formulas?
No Single Perfect Formula
Each formula was developed for different purposes and populations. Using multiple formulas gives you a more realistic range rather than a single number that might not apply to you. Individual variation in muscle mass, bone density, and frame size means there's no one-size-fits-all ideal weight.
Population Changes Over Time
Newer formulas like Miller reflect changes in average body composition over the decades. People today may have different muscle-to-fat ratios than in the 1960s due to changes in diet, lifestyle, and physical activity patterns. The range from all formulas accommodates these historical changes.
Individual Variation
Factors like muscle mass, bone structure, and ethnicity affect ideal weight. An athlete with significant muscle mass might be healthy at the higher end of the range or even above it. Someone with a smaller frame might be healthiest at the lower end. Use these as guidelines, not absolutes.
Health vs. Aesthetics
These formulas focus on health outcomes like longevity and disease risk, not appearance. Some people prefer to be at the lower end for aesthetic reasons, while others feel and perform best at the higher end. Your ideal weight for health might differ from your goal weight for appearance or athletic performance.
How to Use These Results
Set Realistic Goals
Use this range as a guide for weight loss or gain goals. Aim for somewhere within the range rather than a specific number. Even being within 10-15 lbs of this range is generally healthy.
Consider Your Body Composition
If you lift weights or have high muscle mass, you may be healthy above this range. Focus on body fat percentage and how you feel rather than the scale number alone.
Track Trends, Not Perfection
Use these numbers to track progress over time. Moving toward this range is more important than hitting a specific target weight exactly.
Consult Healthcare Providers
These calculations are estimates. Your doctor can assess your individual health status, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and other markers that matter more than weight alone.
Health Markers Beyond Weight
Waist Circumference
Waist size is often a better predictor of health risks than weight. Men should aim for under 40 inches, women under 35 inches to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Blood Pressure
Healthy blood pressure (under 120/80) matters more than being at a specific weight. Many people at "ideal" weight have high blood pressure, while some overweight people have normal readings.
Physical Fitness
Being active and fit at a higher weight is healthier than being sedentary at a "normal" weight. Cardiovascular fitness and strength are independent health predictors.
Metabolic Health
Blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels are crucial health markers. You can improve these through diet and exercise regardless of your current weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do different formulas give different results?
Each formula was developed at different times (1964-1983) using different populations and for different purposes. The Hamwi formula was designed for drug dosing, while others aimed to define healthy weight ranges. Population averages have also changed over time. The variation between formulas (often 10-15 lbs) reflects the reality that there's no single "perfect" weight for a given height—healthy weight is a range, not a number.
Should I aim for the high or low end of the range?
It depends on your body composition and goals. If you have significant muscle mass from strength training, the higher end (or even above it) might be appropriate. If you have a smaller frame or less muscle, the lower end might be better. Most importantly, choose a weight where you feel energetic, can maintain healthy blood work (cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure), and can sustain your lifestyle long-term. The "best" weight is the one you can maintain without extreme restriction.
What if I'm significantly above or below this range?
If you're significantly above the range, even a modest 5-10% weight loss can improve health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. You don't need to reach the "ideal" range to see health benefits. If you're significantly below, make sure you're eating enough to support your activity level and have your health checked by a doctor, as being underweight can cause hormonal issues, bone loss, and weakened immune function.
Do these formulas account for muscle mass?
No, these formulas only consider height and gender. They don't distinguish between muscle and fat. Someone who lifts weights regularly and has significant muscle mass might be perfectly healthy at 20-30 lbs above the calculated range. Conversely, someone with very little muscle could be at the calculated weight but have high body fat percentage (sometimes called "skinny fat"). For a better picture of your health, combine this calculator with body fat percentage measurements.
How does frame size affect ideal weight?
Frame size (bone structure) can account for 10-15 lbs of variation. People with larger frames (broader shoulders, larger wrist circumference) typically weigh more than those with smaller frames at the same height. To estimate frame size, measure your wrist: for men, under 6.5" is small frame, 6.5-7.5" medium, over 7.5" large; for women, under 5.5" is small, 5.5-6.5" medium, over 6.5" large. Large frames may be healthiest at the higher end of the range, small frames at the lower end.
Are these formulas accurate for all heights?
These formulas work best for average heights (5'0" to 6'2" for women, 5'4" to 6'6" for men). They may be less accurate for very short or very tall individuals because weight doesn't increase linearly with height. For very tall or short people, the BMI-based range might be more reliable than the traditional formulas. Additionally, these formulas were developed primarily using Western populations and may not perfectly apply to all ethnic groups who have different body composition patterns.
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