Ideal weight calculator
Compare your weight with the classic ideal-weight formulas and the healthy range based on BMI.
Ideal weight calculator: what it is and how it works
Ideal weight is an estimate of the weight associated with better health for a given height and sex. There are several formulas, most of them developed to calculate drug doses: Devine (1974), widely used in medicine; Robinson and Miller (1983), which adjust it; Hamwi (1964); and Lorentz, popular in Europe.
Since each formula gives a slightly different result, the calculator shows them all and their average. It also shows the healthy weight range based on BMI (18.5 to 24.9), which is broader and more realistic: rather than one exact number, a suitable weight is a range that depends on your frame, muscle mass and age.
How to use it
- Choose your sex.
- Enter your height in centimetres.
- Compare each formula, the average and the healthy range.
Devine: 50 kg (men) or 45.5 kg (women) + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet (152.4 cm)Worked example
For a 175 cm man: Devine 70.5 kg, Robinson 68.9 kg, Miller 68.7 kg, Hamwi 72 kg and Lorentz 68.8 kg; average 69.8 kg. By BMI, his healthy weight is 56.7 to 76.3 kg.
Frequently asked questions
Which formula is most reliable?
None is perfect. Devine is the most used in medicine, but the BMI range is a broader and more useful reference for most people.
Why do the formulas give different results?
They were created with different populations and purposes, so the range they form is more meaningful.
Does it work for athletes?
Not well: people with a lot of muscle can weigh more than the formulas suggest and be perfectly healthy.
What if I am far from my ideal weight?
See a healthcare professional before starting a diet and set gradual goals.