Ideal Weight Calculator

An ideal weight calculator uses scientifically established formulas to estimate a healthy target weight range based primarily on your height and gender. Our calculator goes further by simultaneously comparing four major formulas — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — alongside a BMI healthy reference band, giving you a well-rounded target range rather than a single arbitrary number.

Most ideal weight formulas use height as the primary input. For example, the Devine formula calculates: For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi follow similar structures with slightly different base values and multipliers — which is why they produce a spread of results rather than one identical number.

Each formula was developed independently in different clinical contexts — Devine in 1974 for drug dosing, Hamwi in 1964 for diabetes management, and Robinson and Miller as refinements in the 1980s. Since no single formula was designed as a universal fitness standard, showing all four gives you a more realistic comparison range rather than placing blind trust in one equation.

No single formula is universally superior — each has its own origin and limitations. The Devine formula is the most widely cited in clinical and pharmaceutical settings and serves as our primary estimate. However, the most pragmatic approach is to treat the full formula range (e.g., 56.4–59.8 kg) as your target band rather than fixating on any single number.

A healthy weight range depends on both your height and gender. As a general reference using BMI 18.5–24.9: for a height of 160 cm, the healthy range is roughly 47–63 kg; for 170 cm, it is 53–72 kg; for 180 cm, it is 60–81 kg. Our calculator gives you a precise BMI healthy reference band alongside formula estimates for your specific height and gender.

No — ideal weight formulas are population-level estimates, not personalized prescriptions. They do not account for muscle mass, bone density, frame size, body fat distribution, age, or ethnicity. A professional athlete and a sedentary person of identical height may have the same 'ideal weight' output, but their actual optimal weights could differ by 10–15 kg or more.

Not exactly — they are related but distinct concepts. Ideal weight (from Devine, Robinson, etc.) is a formula-based target. Healthy weight is typically defined as falling within a BMI of 18.5–24.9. Our calculator shows both side by side: the formula-derived target weight and the broader BMI healthy reference band, so you can see how they compare for your specific measurements.

The standard formulas do not change their output with age — they are primarily driven by height and gender. However, in practice, body composition shifts significantly with age: muscle mass declines and fat mass tends to increase. This means an older adult may technically be within their 'ideal weight' range while carrying an unfavorable body composition. Age is a contextual factor the formulas cannot fully capture.

Yes. All four formulas — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — use different base values for men and women. Women generally have a slightly lower ideal weight estimate at the same height, reflecting differences in average bone density, muscle mass, and body frame. For example, at 165 cm, the Devine formula returns 56.9 kg for women and approximately 65.8 kg for men.

Use the estimate as a directional reference, not a definitive benchmark. If there is a large discrepancy, focus on gradual, sustainable progress — aiming to lose or gain 0.5–1 kg per week. Consulting a doctor or registered dietitian is advisable if the gap is substantial, as they can provide a more nuanced target that accounts for your individual health history, body composition, and lifestyle.