Ideal weight calculator
Calculator
The calculator needs JavaScript. The tables below give the same numbers for common cases.
How it is worked out
- Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 feet and adds a set amount per inch above 5 feet (10.1 inches here).
- These are historical formulas, not health targets; a healthy weight depends on build, age and health. BMI ranges are another reference.
| Inputs | Answer |
|---|---|
| Sex: Male; Height: 178 | The Devine formula gives about 73.2 kg (161.3 lb); the four classic formulas range from 70.4 to 75.2 kg. |
| Sex: Female; Height: 165 | The Devine formula gives about 56.9 kg (125.5 lb); the four classic formulas range from 56.7 to 59.8 kg. |
| Sex: Male; Height: 190 | The Devine formula gives about 84 kg (185.3 lb); the four classic formulas range from 77.1 to 88 kg. |
How to use it
Four historical formulas estimate an "ideal" weight from height: Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), Miller (1983) and Hamwi (1964). Each starts from a base weight at 5 feet and adds a set amount per inch above it. They were developed for drug dosing and were never health targets.
A healthy weight depends on build, muscle, age and health. The BMI ranges (18.5 to 24.9 for adults) are another reference point. This is general information and an estimate, not medical advice; talk to a healthcare professional about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
None is authoritative; they give a range, which is why all four are shown.
What is the Devine formula?
Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet.
Is ideal weight the same as healthy weight?
No; healthy weight depends on many factors, not height alone.
Method: standard arithmetic shown step by step; no outside data is used. Checked 2026-11-12.
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
General information only. Results are plain arithmetic on the numbers you enter; check anything important (money, health, school work) against your own records or the official source.