Ideal Weight Calculator
It compares ideal body weight across the Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas and shows a healthy BMI weight range.
Average ideal weight
131.4 lb
Devine
130.7 lb
Robinson
130.5 lb
Miller
135.1 lb
Hamwi
129.4 lb
What it calculates
It compares ideal body weight across the Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas and shows a healthy BMI weight range.
Why it matters
There is no single 'ideal' weight. Seeing four clinical estimates plus a range is more honest than one number.
Who it's for
Anyone setting a realistic weight target, and clinicians dosing by ideal body weight.
Formula
- h
- Height
- sex
- Formulas use different base weights by sex
Worked example
Male, 178 cm (70 in)
- 1Devine: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft
- 270 − 60 = 10 inches over
50 + 23 = 73 kg by the Devine formula
How the ideal weight calculator works
Each formula sets a base weight at five feet and adds a fixed amount per additional inch. They disagree by several kilograms, which is why a range is more useful than a point estimate.
Ideal body weight formulas were developed for medication dosing, not aesthetics. They all scale a base weight by height above five feet and disagree by a few kilograms, which is why the average and the healthy BMI range are shown together.
Frame size, muscle mass and body composition matter more than a single target number.
Common mistakes
- Treating any single formula as a medical target.
- Ignoring frame size, muscle mass and age.
Tips and best practice
- Use the healthy BMI range as your practical target band.
- Waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is a good complementary check.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
None is definitive. Devine is the most used clinically, largely for drug dosing rather than health targets.
Why do the formulas disagree?
They were derived from different populations and eras, using different base weights and increments.
Should I aim for my ideal weight?
Treat it as a reference. A healthy BMI range, good waist ratio and stable habits matter more.
Why do the four formulas disagree?
They were derived from different populations at different times, originally for drug dosing rather than health targets. The spread between them is why a range is more useful than a single number.
Were these formulas designed for health targets?
No. Devine and Hamwi were originally created for calculating drug dosages, not for setting a goal weight. That is why they should be read as a rough range rather than a target.
Do these formulas work for athletes?
Poorly. They take no account of muscle mass, so a muscular athlete will look overweight by every one of them. Body fat percentage is the more meaningful measure.
Related calculators
Further reading
Methodology & trust
- Formula source
- Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), Hamwi (1964).
- Last updated
- 2026-07-28
- Privacy
- Every calculation runs in your browser. No inputs are sent to a server or stored.
- Accessibility
- Keyboard navigable, labeled inputs and WCAG AA color contrast.