Ideal Weight Calculator

To get accurate results from this ideal weight calculator, start by measuring your height correctly. Stand against a wall without shoes, with your heels, buttocks, and shoulder blades touching the wall. Look straight ahead and have someone mark the wall at the top of your head, then measure from the floor to the mark. This ensures the most accurate height measurement for your calculations.

Select your gender using the toggle buttons, as this significantly affects the calculation. Men and women have different body compositions, with men typically carrying more muscle mass and women having higher essential body fat percentages. The formulas account for these biological differences.

Consider your frame size when interpreting results. If you have a small frame, your ideal weight may be toward the lower end of the range. Those with larger bone structures should look at the higher end. You can estimate frame size by wrapping your thumb and middle finger around your wrist. If they overlap, you have a small frame; if they just touch, medium; if they do not meet, large. The calculator displays multiple formulas precisely because individual variation matters, so use the range as a guide rather than focusing on any single number.

Ideal body weight calculations have been used in medicine and nutrition for decades to establish healthy weight targets. The concept originated from insurance company mortality studies in the early 1900s, which found correlations between weight and life expectancy. However, modern understanding recognizes that ideal weight is not a single number but a range that varies based on multiple individual factors.

The Different Formulas Explained

The Devine formula, developed in 1974, was originally created to calculate drug dosages for anesthesia and antibiotics. It uses a base weight for five feet of height and adds a specific amount per inch above that baseline. Despite its pharmaceutical origins, it became widely adopted for general weight estimation.

The Robinson formula from 1983 was developed to improve upon earlier methods by incorporating data from Metropolitan Life Insurance tables. It tends to produce results slightly higher than Devine for women and similar values for men. Many clinicians prefer this formula for its balanced approach.

The Miller formula, also from 1983, generally produces lower ideal weight estimates than other formulas. It was designed to be more conservative and may be more appropriate for individuals concerned about maintaining a leaner physique.

The Hamwi formula from 1964 is one of the oldest and simplest methods. It uses round numbers for easy mental calculation, making it popular in clinical settings where quick estimates are needed. However, its simplicity means less precision for individuals at height extremes.

Why Results Vary

You may notice that different formulas give you different ideal weights, sometimes varying by 10 to 15 pounds. This variation reflects the inherent difficulty in defining what ideal means for any individual. Each formula was developed using different populations and methodologies, and none can perfectly account for the diversity of human body types.

Frame Size Impact

Your skeletal frame significantly influences what you should weigh. A person with broad shoulders and large wrists will naturally weigh more than someone with a petite frame at the same height, even at identical body fat percentages. Most formulas assume a medium frame, so those with small or large frames should adjust expectations accordingly, typically by about 10 percent in either direction.

Limitations to Consider

These formulas share important limitations. They do not account for muscle mass, age, ethnicity, or individual health conditions. A muscular athlete may exceed their calculated ideal weight while being extremely healthy, whereas someone within range could still have health risks from excess body fat. Additionally, these formulas were developed primarily from data on Caucasian populations and may not apply equally to all ethnic groups. For personalized guidance, consult with a healthcare provider who can consider your complete health picture.

Average Male (5 feet 10 inches): For a man of average American height, the ideal weight formulas produce a range of approximately 149 to 183 pounds. The Devine formula suggests about 166 pounds, Robinson indicates 161 pounds, Miller shows 163 pounds, and Hamwi calculates 172 pounds. The healthy BMI range for this height spans 132 to 174 pounds. A medium-framed man would target the middle of these ranges around 155 to 170 pounds.

Average Female (5 feet 5 inches): For a woman of average height, ideal weight estimates range from approximately 122 to 146 pounds across formulas. The Devine formula suggests 135 pounds, Robinson indicates 130 pounds, Miller shows 135 pounds, and Hamwi calculates 125 pounds. The healthy BMI range is 114 to 150 pounds. A medium-framed woman would typically aim for 125 to 140 pounds.

Frame Size Adjustments: A small-framed woman at 5 feet 5 inches might feel best at 115 to 125 pounds, while a large-framed woman at the same height could be healthy at 140 to 155 pounds. Similarly, a small-framed man at 5 feet 10 inches might target 140 to 155 pounds, while a large-framed man could appropriately weigh 175 to 190 pounds. These adjustments of roughly 10 percent account for natural skeletal variation that the basic formulas cannot capture.

Focus on health, not just numbers. Your weight is one data point among many health indicators. Blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, energy levels, sleep quality, and mental wellbeing all matter. Someone at their ideal weight can still have metabolic problems, while someone slightly outside the range may have excellent health markers.

Body composition matters more than scale weight. Two people at identical weights can look completely different based on their ratio of muscle to fat. Strength training builds metabolically active muscle tissue that improves health outcomes regardless of what the scale shows. Consider tracking waist circumference, how clothes fit, or getting periodic body composition assessments rather than weighing daily.

Adopt a sustainable approach. Extreme diets produce temporary results. Lasting weight management comes from gradual lifestyle changes you can maintain indefinitely. Eat mostly whole foods, move your body regularly in ways you enjoy, prioritize sleep, and manage stress. Small, consistent habits outperform dramatic interventions over time.

Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides general estimates for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Weight recommendations may vary based on individual health conditions, medications, and personal history. Before making significant changes to diet or exercise, consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Sources: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This calculator uses four established formulas developed by medical researchers. Each uses a base weight for 5 feet of height and adds a certain amount per inch above 5 feet. The formulas differ in their base weights and increments based on the populations and methodologies used by their creators.

The BMI-based healthy weight range corresponds to a Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 24.9, which is the range associated with lowest mortality risk in population studies.