DailyCalc

Ideal Weight Calculator

Compare four classic ideal weight formulas with the healthy BMI range.

Units
Sex
cm

Ideal weight by the four formulas

68.7 – 72.3 kg

For a man 175 cm tall, the four formulas give 68.7 – 72.3 kg. A healthy BMI weight for your height is 56.6 – 76.4 kg.

Each formula for your height
Formulakglb
Devine (1974)70.5155.3
Robinson (1983)68.9151.9
Miller (1983)68.7151.6
Hamwi (1964)72.3159.4
Healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9)56.6 – 76.4124.6 – 168.4

For adults 18 and over. Not for pregnancy. Muscle, frame and age all affect a healthy weight.

Fix the highlighted field to update the result.

The four formulas
  • Devine (1974): men 50 kg, women 45.5 kg, plus 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft.
  • Robinson (1983): men 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch; women 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch.
  • Miller (1983): men 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch; women 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch.
  • Hamwi (1964): men 106 lb + 6 lb per inch; women 100 lb + 5 lb per inch.

How to use

  1. Choose Metric or Imperial and enter your height.
  2. Pick Male or Female: the formulas differ by sex.
  3. Compare the four formulas with the healthy BMI range for your height.

Formulas

Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 ft (152.4 cm) and adds a fixed amount for every inch above it.

Formula Men Women
Devine (1974) 50 kg + 2.3 kg/in 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/in
Robinson (1983) 52 kg + 1.9 kg/in 49 kg + 1.7 kg/in
Miller (1983) 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/in 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/in
Hamwi (1964) 106 lb + 6 lb/in 100 lb + 5 lb/in

The healthy BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9 × height (m)².

Examples

  • Man, 180 cm: Devine 75.0 kg, Robinson 72.6, Miller 71.5, Hamwi 77.7. Healthy BMI range: 59.9 to 80.7 kg.
  • Woman, 165 cm: Devine 56.9 kg, Robinson 57.4, Miller 59.8, Hamwi 56.6.

Devine ideal weight by height

Height Men Women Healthy BMI range
5 ft 0 in (152.4 cm) 50.0 kg (110.2 lb) 45.5 kg (100.3 lb) 43.0–57.8 kg
5 ft 4 in (162.6 cm) 59.2 kg (130.5 lb) 54.7 kg (120.6 lb) 48.9–65.8 kg
5 ft 8 in (172.7 cm) 68.4 kg (150.8 lb) 63.9 kg (140.9 lb) 55.2–74.3 kg
6 ft 0 in (182.9 cm) 77.6 kg (171.1 lb) 73.1 kg (161.2 lb) 61.9–83.3 kg
6 ft 4 in (193.0 cm) 86.8 kg (191.4 lb) 82.3 kg (181.4 lb) 68.9–92.8 kg

Shorter than 5 feet?

The formulas are defined only from 5 ft upward, so we don’t stretch them below it. For shorter adults the calculator shows the healthy BMI range instead.

What these numbers mean

  • The formulas were made for drug dosing, not for setting a goal weight.
  • They don’t account for muscle, frame size or age.
  • A 2000 review found they agree closely, so no single one is best.
Rounding notes

We convert Hamwi’s pound rule to kilograms exactly. Some sites use a rounded 48 + 2.7 kg (men) and 45.5 + 2.2 kg (women), which can differ by about 1 lb.

Robinson’s paper gives 51.65 + 1.85 kg (men) and 48.67 + 1.65 kg (women). Like most references, we use the rounded form.

See where your current weight sits with the BMI calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is my ideal weight?

There’s no single answer. Enter your height and sex to see four classic formulas, which usually agree within a few kilograms, plus the weight range that gives a healthy BMI.

Why do the formulas give different answers?

Each was fitted to different height-weight data. Robinson and Miller used Metropolitan Life insurance tables, while Devine and Hamwi are older rules, so their starting weights and per-inch steps differ.

Which ideal weight formula is best?

None is clearly best. A 2000 review found they agree closely, so any one can be used. Medicine adopted Devine’s for drug dosing; for general health, the BMI range is more common.

Is ideal weight the same as a healthy BMI weight?

No. A formula gives one weight, while BMI gives a range: 18.5 to 24.9 is healthy for adults. Formula results usually fall inside that range.

Is ideal weight different for women?

Yes, in these formulas. Each starts women at a lower base weight at 5 feet, and most add less per inch. The healthy BMI range is the same for both sexes.

What if I’m under 5 feet tall?

The formulas don’t cover it: each is defined as a base weight at 5 feet plus an amount per inch above. For shorter adults we show the healthy BMI weight range instead.

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