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Ideal Weight Calculator

Calculate your ideal body weight based on your height and gender using four established medical formulas.

Runs locally — files never leave your device

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How to use Ideal Weight Calculator

  1. 1Select your biological sex (male or female).
  2. 2Choose your preferred measurement unit (metric or imperial).
  3. 3Enter your height in centimeters or feet and inches.
  4. 4Instantly view your healthy BMI range and ideal weight across four standard medical formulas.

Find the healthy weight for your height

When trying to set a fitness goal or evaluate your current health, a common question is, "What is a healthy weight for my height?" This ideal weight calculator provides a quick, mathematically sound answer by applying four of the most widely recognized medical formulas. By simply entering your biological sex and height, you can instantly see a recommended weight range.

Because health data is personal, this tool is designed with privacy in mind. The entire calculation runs locally in your web browser. Your height, gender, and results are never uploaded, saved, or tracked by any server.

How the ideal body weight calculator works

Over the past few decades, medical professionals and researchers have developed several equations to estimate an ideal weight for height. Most of these formulas follow a similar structure: they establish a baseline weight for a person who is exactly 5 feet (152.4 cm) tall, and then add a specific amount of weight for every inch above that baseline.

Our calculator displays results from the four most established formulas:

  • The Hamwi Formula (1964): Originally created for determining medication dosages, this formula sets a baseline of 48 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women at 5 feet, adding 2.7 kg (men) or 2.2 kg (women) per inch.
  • The Devine Formula (1974): The Devine formula is arguably the most famous and widely used in clinical settings. It adjusted the male baseline to 50 kg and standardizes the per-inch addition to 2.3 kg for both men and women.
  • The Robinson Formula (1983): Robinson modified the Devine formula to better reflect average body compositions, using a baseline of 52 kg for men and 49 kg for women, with smaller increments per inch.
  • The Miller Formula (1983): Miller proposed another variation, using higher baseline weights (56.2 kg for men, 53.1 kg for women) but much smaller per-inch additions, which often results in a tighter weight range for taller individuals.

Because no single formula is perfect for everyone, seeing the results of all four gives you a more realistic target range rather than a single, rigid number.

Ideal weight vs. Healthy BMI range

In addition to the specific formula outputs, this calculator also provides your healthy BMI range. While the ideal weight formulas give you specific target numbers based on historical medical averages, the Body Mass Index (BMI) provides a broader spectrum.

The World Health Organization defines a healthy BMI as falling between 18.5 and 24.9. The calculator automatically converts this index into a practical weight range in pounds or kilograms based on your height. Often, you will find that the results from the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas fall neatly within this broader BMI weight range. If you want to explore your BMI in more detail, you can use our dedicated BMI Calculator.

Limitations of ideal weight formulas

While an ideal weight calculator is a great starting point for setting health and fitness goals, it is important to understand its limitations. These mathematical models are based strictly on height and biological sex. They do not take into account:

  • Body composition: Muscle is denser than fat. A highly athletic person with significant muscle mass might exceed their "ideal" weight while maintaining excellent health and a low body fat percentage.
  • Frame size: People naturally have small, medium, or large bone structures. The formulas assume an average frame size for everyone.
  • Age: The formulas do not adjust for age, even though body composition naturally changes as we get older.
  • Heights under 5 feet: Because the math relies on a 5-foot baseline, the formulas can produce inaccurate results for individuals shorter than 152.4 cm. The calculator will display a brief warning if your entered height falls below this threshold.

For a more complete picture of your physical health, consider looking beyond total body weight. Tools like the Body Fat Calculator can help you estimate your lean mass versus fat mass, and a Calorie Calculator can assist you in planning a diet to safely reach your target weight. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Devine formula?
The Devine formula (1974) is one of the most widely used methods to calculate ideal body weight. It was originally developed to determine medication dosages but quickly became a standard medical reference for estimating a healthy weight for height.
Why are there four different formulas?
Scientists have proposed various equations over the years to estimate ideal weight. The Hamwi (1964), Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), and Miller (1983) formulas all start with a base weight at 5 feet and add a specific amount per inch. Because body types vary, providing four formulas gives you a realistic range rather than a single absolute number.
Why do I get a warning if I am under 5 feet tall?
These classic formulas were designed with a baseline height of 5 feet (152.4 cm). If you are shorter than 5 feet, the math subtracts weight, which can lead to inaccurate or overly low estimates for your ideal weight.
Does this calculator account for muscle mass or age?
No. These formulas only use height and biological sex. They do not factor in age, muscle mass, bone density, or body frame size. For a more comprehensive view of your health, consider checking your body fat percentage instead.
What is the healthy BMI range shown?
The calculator displays the weight range that corresponds to a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9. The World Health Organization considers this the standard healthy weight range for adults.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. All calculations happen locally in your browser. Your height and gender are never sent to a server or stored anywhere, ensuring your personal health data remains entirely private.

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