Estimate an ideal body weight for your height and sex using four well-known formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi) alongside the healthy BMI range.
What is "ideal weight"?
Ideal body weight (IBW) formulas were created mainly to help doctors dose medicines, not to set personal goals. They give a single number based on height and sex, and they ignore muscle, frame size and age. Use them as one reference point alongside the healthy BMI range.
The four formulas
| Formula | Men (kg) | Women (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 + 2.3 per inch over 5 ft | 45.5 + 2.3 per inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 + 1.9 per inch | 49 + 1.7 per inch |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 + 1.41 per inch | 53.1 + 1.36 per inch |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 + 2.7 per inch | 45.5 + 2.2 per inch |
Worked example
For a man who is 5 ft 9 in (9 inches over 5 ft):
- Devine: 50 + 2.3 × 9 = 70.7 kg (about 156 lb)
- Robinson: 69.1 kg; Miller: 68.9 kg; Hamwi: 72.3 kg
- Healthy BMI range: about 125 to 169 lb
For a woman who is 5 ft 5 in, the Devine formula gives 57 kg, about 126 lb.
A better way to think about weight
A healthy weight is a range, not a single number. Waist size, body fat, fitness, blood pressure and blood sugar all say more about health than the scale. See the body fat calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the formulas disagree?
They were built from different data sets and for different purposes, so the spread between them shows how rough any single "ideal" figure is.
Do these formulas work for very tall or short people?
They are least reliable at the extremes, especially below 5 ft.
Related tools
These calculators give estimates for healthy adults based on published formulas. They are not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making major changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you are pregnant, under 18 or have a health condition.