Your ideal body weight, by four medical formulas.
Enter your height and sex and see your ideal body weight instantly from the Robinson, Devine, Hamwi and Miller formulas, plus the BMI healthy weight range for your height.
Your details
Feet portion of your height.
Inches portion of your height.
Ideal weight formulas differ by sex.
Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 ft and adds a fixed amount per inch above it. Results update as you type.
What your result means
The four formulas, side by side
Each formula at your height
Ideal weight by height
Every row uses your selected sex. The highlighted row is your height. Average is the mean of the Robinson, Devine, Hamwi and Miller results.
| Height | Robinson | Devine | Average | BMI healthy range |
|---|
Ideal weight, explained
What is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is a clinical estimate of how much a person should weigh based primarily on height and sex. It was originally developed for drug dosing calculations in medicine but has become widely used in fitness and health assessments. Multiple formulas exist, each producing slightly different results.
The Four IBW Formulas
The Devine formula (1974) is the most commonly used in medicine. The Robinson formula (1983) produces slightly different results and is considered more balanced. The Miller formula (1983) tends to give lower ideal weights. The Hamwi formula (1964) is the oldest and simplest. Comparing all four gives you a range rather than a single number.
Limitations of Ideal Weight Formulas
These formulas only consider height and sex, ignoring important factors like age, body frame size, muscle mass, and ethnicity. A large-framed, muscular person will naturally weigh more than a small-framed person of the same height without being overweight. Use these calculations as general guidelines, not strict targets.
Finding Your Personal Ideal Weight
Your true ideal weight is the weight at which you feel healthy, energetic, and can maintain sustainable habits. Consider body fat percentage, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels alongside weight. A weight you can maintain without extreme restriction is more important than matching a formula.
Common questions
Which ideal weight formula is the most accurate?
No single formula is definitively the most accurate for all individuals. The Devine formula is most commonly used in medical settings. Looking at the range across all four formulas gives a better target zone than relying on any single number.
Why do ideal weight formulas only use height and sex?
These formulas were developed for quick clinical calculations, primarily for medication dosing. They provide a population-level estimate. For a more personalized assessment, consider body fat percentage, frame size, and overall health markers.
Should I aim for my ideal weight?
Ideal weight formulas provide a general guideline. A weight within 10-15% of these estimates where you feel healthy and energetic is a reasonable target. Focus on body composition and health markers rather than hitting an exact number.
Does frame size affect ideal weight?
Yes, people with larger bone structures naturally weigh more. You can estimate frame size by wrapping your thumb and index finger around your wrist. If they overlap, you have a small frame; if they just touch, medium; if they do not meet, large. Large-framed individuals may add 10% to their ideal weight.
Ideal body weight formulas are clinical estimates based only on height and sex. They ignore age, frame size, muscle mass and ethnicity, and were designed for drug dosing, not as personal targets. Do not use these numbers to make medical or diet decisions on your own: talk to a doctor or another qualified health professional about what a healthy weight looks like for you, especially before starting any diet, exercise program or weight-related treatment.