Ideal Weight Calculator
See your ideal weight four ways — Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi — in pounds and kilograms, plus the modern Peterson (2016) equation. We lead with your healthy BMI weight range (18.5–24.9), the most useful answer, and plot where your current weight sits. An estimate, not a target or medical advice.
129–174 lb healthy weight range
Based on a healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9 for your height (58.5–78.7 kg). Average of the four formulas: 159 lb / 72.3 kg.
Ideal weight by formula (lb / kg)
| Formula | Ideal weight |
|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 161 lb / 73.0 kg |
| Robinson (1983) | 157 lb / 71.0 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 155 lb / 70.3 kg |
| Hamwi (1964) | 165 lb / 75.0 kg |
| Peterson (2016, universal) | 154 lb / 69.8 kg |
| Average (4 classic) | 159 lb / 72.3 kg |
Formulas use weight at 5 ft plus a per-inch increment; the healthy range uses BMI 18.5–24.9. An estimate, not a target or medical advice. How we calculate →
There is no single ideal weight — there's a healthy range
“Ideal weight” is best thought of as a range, not one magic number. The most evidence-based range comes from BMI: a healthy body mass index of 18.5–24.9 maps to a span of weights for your height, shown above in both pounds and kilograms. The classic formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) each return a single figure, but they were designed for clinical dosing and reference, not as a personal target — which is why they usually land inside, or just below, the healthy BMI range.
The four classic formulas and how they work
Every classic ideal-body-weight formula has the same shape: a base weight at 5 feet tall plus a fixed amount for every inch above (and below). For men, Devine adds 2.3 kg per inch to a 50 kg base; Robinson uses 52 kg + 1.9 kg/inch; Miller 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/inch; Hamwi 48 kg + 2.7 kg/inch. Women start a few kilograms lighter. The table above shows each formula's result side by side in pounds and kilograms, plus the average — so you can see how much they actually disagree (usually only a few pounds).
Ideal body weight vs a healthy BMI
They're related but not identical. Ideal body weight (IBW) is a point estimate from a formula; a healthy BMI is a range. For most adults of average height the Devine or Robinson figure sits near the lower-middle of the healthy BMI band. We lead with the BMI range because it's the standard used by the NHLBI and CDC and because it acknowledges that a span of weights — not one value — is healthy. Use the formulas as reference points within that range.
The Peterson (2016) universal equation
The older formulas break down at very short or very tall heights and were never validated in children. The Peterson 2016 “universal” equation fixes this by working directly from a target BMI: ideal weight (kg) = 2.2 × BMI + 3.5 × BMI × (height in metres − 1.5). We compute it at a BMI of 22 (the middle of the healthy range) and show it as a fifth, modern reference. It tracks the BMI range closely and behaves sensibly at heights where Devine and Hamwi don't.
Adjusted body weight and when it's used
In clinical settings, when someone weighs well above their ideal body weight, drug doses are sometimes based on an adjusted body weight: IBW + 0.4 × (actual weight − IBW). If you enter your current weight above, the calculator shows this figure (using the Devine IBW). It's a dosing concept, not a weight goal — included here for completeness and because only one major competitor surfaces it.
Frame size, age and the limits of the estimate
These formulas use only height and sex. They don't account for frame size, muscle mass or body composition, so a muscular person can sit above the range while perfectly healthy, and the figures shouldn't be read as a target to chase. Age matters too: for children and teens, weight should be assessed with CDC growth percentiles, not adult formulas. Treat the numbers as a reference and discuss any real weight goal with a clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for my height?
It's a range, not a single number. A healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9 gives the span shown above for your height in both pounds and kilograms. The Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas each give a point estimate that usually falls within or just below that range.
How do I calculate my ideal body weight?
The classic method takes a base weight at 5 feet and adds a set amount per inch of height. For example, the Devine formula for men is 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft. Enter your sex and height above and the calculator shows all four formulas plus a healthy BMI range.
What is the Devine formula for ideal body weight?
Devine (1974): men = 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet; women = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. It was created for medication dosing and is the most widely used IBW formula. The calculator applies it automatically and converts to pounds.
Is ideal body weight the same as a healthy BMI?
Not quite. Ideal body weight is a single figure from a formula, while a healthy BMI (18.5–24.9) is a range of weights. They usually overlap — the formula result sits inside the BMI range — but the BMI range is the standard used by the NHLBI and CDC.
What should a woman of my height weigh?
Select “Female” and your height above. Women's formulas start lighter than men's (for example, Devine for women is 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft). The healthy BMI range is shown alongside, which is the most useful answer for most people.
How much should I weigh for my age and height?
For adults, ideal weight depends on height and sex, not age — the healthy BMI range applies across adulthood. For children and teenagers, weight should be assessed with CDC age-and-sex growth percentiles rather than adult formulas.
What is adjusted body weight and when is it used?
Adjusted body weight = ideal body weight + 0.4 × (actual weight − ideal). It's used clinically to dose certain medications in people who weigh well above their ideal. Enter your current weight above to see it. It's a dosing tool, not a weight target.
Why are there different ideal weight formulas?
Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi were developed in different years from different reference data, so they disagree by a few pounds. None is “correct” — that's why the calculator shows all of them, their average, and the modern Peterson (2016) equation, alongside the healthy BMI range.
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →