Estimate your ideal healthy body weight based on age, gender, and height using popular medical formulas.
Ideal weight formulas were originally developed to help doctors determine correct medication dosages, not as a measure of physical beauty.
An ideal weight calculator answers a question that almost everyone has asked at some point: "Based on my height, age, sex, and build, what should I ideally weigh — and is that number even realistic?"
Unlike BMI (which gives a single range based only on height and weight), ideal weight calculators have evolved over time. The most famous is the Devine formula (developed in 1974 for medical dosing), but there are others: Robinson, Miller, Hamwi, and newer ones that account for frame size and age.
Here's what most people miss: There is no single "ideal" weight. Different formulas give different answers. And none of them account for muscle mass, body composition, or fat distribution. A muscular athlete might be "overweight" by every formula but have excellent health markers.
The 2026 Reality: With growing awareness of body composition and metabolic health, ideal weight calculators are being used less as strict targets and more as rough benchmarks. The medical field has largely shifted toward BMI and waist circumference, but many people still want a simple number.
1. Devine Formula: Men: 50kg + 2.3kg/inch over 5ft | Women: 45.5kg + 2.3kg/inch over 5ft
2. Robinson Formula: Refinement of Devine with slightly different multipliers for modern builds.
3. Miller Formula: Generally provides the lowest results of the four major formulas.
4. Hamwi Formula: Older formula often used in traditional clinical settings.
BMI-Based Range (Healthy):
Weight range = 18.5 to 24.9 × height (m)². This usually provides a much wider and more realistic range.
| Formula | Result |
|---|---|
| Devine | 131 lbs |
| Robinson | 130.5 lbs |
| Miller | 135 lbs |
| BMI Range | 115–155 lbs |
| Formula | Result |
|---|---|
| Devine | 161 lbs |
| Robinson | 156 lbs |
| Miller | 155 lbs |
| BMI Range | 129–174 lbs |
Pro Tip: Don't get stuck on a single number. Anywhere within these ranges is "ideal" by most standards. Focus on energy levels and health markers.
Most formulas assume an average frame. bone structure significantly impacts your weight.
Small Frame
Subtract 5 to 10%
Medium Frame
0% (Baseline)
Large Frame
Add 5 to 10%
Quick Test: Wrap your thumb and middle finger around your wrist. Overlap = Small, Touch = Medium, Gap = Large.
Concept of "ideal weight" is becoming outdated. Two people at the same weight can have vastly different health profiles based on muscle mass.
"A muscular person at 180 lbs might have 15% body fat and low risk, while a sedentary person at the same weight could have 28% body fat and elevated risk."
For people under 18, "ideal weight" is based on percentiles using CDC growth charts, not adult formulas.
Warning: Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas are for adults (18+) only. Never use them for children.
Scenario 1: Standard Results
Input your height and sex. See the range of "ideal" weights. Is your current weight within that range? If not, how far off are you?
Scenario 2: Frame Adjustment
Estimate your frame size. See how the range shifts. A large‑framed person may be healthy 10 lbs above the standard formula.
Scenario 3: Composition Check
Compare results to your body fat %. Muscular individuals should use waist‑to‑height ratio as a better sanity check.
"Bottom Line: The best 'ideal weight' is the one where you feel energetic, strong, and healthy — not the one that fits a formula from 1974."
* This calculator is for informational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
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