This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional.
How the Ideal Weight Calculator Works
This calculator computes your ideal body weight using four well-known medical formulas that have been used in clinical practice for decades. Each formula takes your height and gender as inputs and produces an estimated ideal weight. Because each formula was developed by different researchers with different methodologies and populations, the results vary slightly, giving you a useful range rather than a single rigid number.
In addition to the four formula results, the calculator also displays the BMI-based healthy weight range for your height. This is the weight range that corresponds to a Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 24.9, which the World Health Organisation considers the healthy range for adults. Together, these five data points give you a comprehensive picture of what a healthy weight looks like for your specific height and gender.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter your height — type your height in centimetres.
- Select your gender — choose male or female from the dropdown.
- Click Calculate Ideal Weight — results from all four formulas and the BMI healthy range appear instantly.
- Compare the results — look at the range across all formulas to get a realistic target rather than fixating on one number.
- Copy the result — click "Copy Result" to copy all formula results to your clipboard.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
All four formulas convert height to inches and use a base weight at 5 feet (60 inches), adding a per-inch increment for each additional inch. The Devine formula (men: 50 + 2.3 kg per inch over 60; women: 45.5 + 2.3 kg per inch over 60) is the most widely used in clinical settings, particularly for medication dosing. The Hamwi, Robinson, and Miller formulas use different base weights and increments, reflecting different study populations.
The BMI healthy range is calculated by rearranging the BMI formula (BMI = weight / height²). The minimum healthy weight is 18.5 multiplied by height in metres squared, and the maximum is 24.9 multiplied by height in metres squared. This provides a range that complements the specific point estimates from the four formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What formulas are used to calculate ideal weight?
This calculator uses four established medical formulas: Devine (1974), Hamwi (1964), Robinson (1983), and Miller (1983). Each was developed for different clinical contexts and produces slightly different results based on the study populations used. The calculator also shows the BMI-based healthy weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9) for comparison, giving you a comprehensive view of ideal weight estimates for your height.
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
No single formula is universally the most accurate because ideal weight depends on many individual factors including body composition, muscle mass, bone density, and overall health status. The Devine formula is the most commonly used in clinical practice, particularly for drug dosing calculations. Looking at the range across all four formulas gives a more realistic picture of your ideal weight than relying on any single number.
How does height affect ideal weight?
All four formulas use height as their primary input. They start with a base weight for a height of 5 feet (60 inches) and then add a specific amount for each additional inch. The amount added per inch varies between formulas and between genders, which explains why results differ. Taller individuals naturally have a higher ideal weight because of their larger skeletal frame and greater body surface area.
Why do the formulas give different results?
Each formula was developed by different researchers using different study populations and methodologies over different decades. The Hamwi formula (1964) was one of the earliest and tends to give slightly higher values. Devine (1974) was developed for drug dosing. Robinson and Miller (both 1983) used more recent population data. The variation reflects the inherent difficulty in defining a single ideal weight for any given height and gender.
Does gender affect ideal weight calculations?
Yes, all four formulas have separate calculations for males and females. Males typically have a higher base weight and a larger per-inch increment compared to females, reflecting average differences in body composition including typically higher muscle mass and bone density in men. The BMI healthy weight range, however, uses the same thresholds (18.5-24.9) regardless of gender.
Is my data stored?
No. All calculations are performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your height, gender, and calculated results are never transmitted to any server or stored in any database. Once you close or refresh the page, all data is gone. Daytics is committed to protecting your privacy and has designed all tools to operate completely client-side with no data collection or tracking.