Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Height, Sex & Frame)
See what four standard formulas say your ideal weight is for your height — and the healthy BMI range, which is usually the more useful answer.
Ideal weight for women and men by height
The formulas all work the same way: a base weight at 152 cm (5 ft) plus a fixed amount per extra inch. Devine (1974), the one used in clinical dosing: men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft; women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch. Example: a 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) woman → 45.5 + 2.3×7 ≈ 61.6 kg. The calculator shows all four formulas side by side because they can differ by 3–5 kg.
Ideal body weight formulas
Hamwi (1964): men 48 kg + 2.7 kg/inch, women 45.5 + 2.2. Robinson (1983): men 52 + 1.9, women 49 + 1.7. Miller (1983): men 56.2 + 1.41, women 53.1 + 1.36. None of them accounts for muscle, frame or age; they were built for medication dosing and insurance tables, not for setting personal goals.
Adjusted body weight
Clinicians use adjusted body weight when actual weight is well above ideal: ABW = IBW + 0.4 × (actual − IBW). It is a dosing and nutrition-planning tool — for example when estimating protein needs — not a target to reach.
Ideal weight vs BMI
A healthy BMI (18.5–24.9) gives a range rather than a single number, which better reflects real bodies: for 170 cm that is about 53–72 kg. If the “ideal” formula number falls inside your healthy BMI range and you feel and perform well, there is nothing to fix. Use the BMI calculator for the range and the body fat calculator for composition.
Sources
- Pai MP, Paloucek FP. The origin of the “ideal” body weight equations. Ann Pharmacother 2000 (PubMed 10917373) — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10917373/
- CDC, Adult BMI Calculator — https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/adult-calculator/index.html
- NHLBI BMI table — https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm
This calculator is educational and not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18, ask a clinician before changing your diet.
What the result tells you
A healthy weight range for your height, based on the standard BMI band. It's a span to sit within, not a single target.
How to use it
- Aim to sit somewhere in the range, not at one exact figure.
- Read it with your build and muscle in mind.
- Use it as context, not a goal to chase quickly.
Recommendations
- Classic equations (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) give slightly different single numbers — all approximations.
- A muscular body can sit above the range and still be lean and healthy.
- Health habits matter more than landing on a specific weight.
Health & wellbeing
There's no single 'ideal' weight that fits everyone. Discuss a personal target with a healthcare professional rather than fixating on a number.
Troubleshooting
Range looks narrow or wide? It's driven only by your height. Check the height units if it seems far off.
How it’s calculated
This applies the healthy BMI band to your height to give a weight range. Classic clinical equations are noted for comparison.
Healthy range(kg) = 18.5 to 24.9 × height(m)².
Devine (men) = 50 + 2.3 × inches over 5 ft; women = 45.5 + 2.3 × inches over 5 ft.
Source: WHO BMI categories; Devine/Robinson/Miller/Hamwi equations.
Common questions
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
None is "accurate" — they estimate a reference weight from height only. Devine is the most widely used in medicine.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'4" woman?
Devine: about 54.7 kg (120 lb); healthy BMI range roughly 49–66 kg (108–145 lb).
Does frame size matter?
Larger frames (measure wrist or elbow breadth) sit higher in the healthy range; the formulas ignore this.