Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your ideal weight range based on height and gender.
Find your ideal weight range based on height and gender.
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Review formula-based ideal weight ranges for your height.
Most popular benchmark
Weight in kg
61.4
Weight in lbs
135.4
Introduced in 1974 to dose aminoglycoside medications, the Devine formula remains the go-to baseline for hospital teams and clinical guidelines. Clinicians still rely on this method for medication dosing, so it serves as a practical anchor for wellness planning.
Gender basis: Female coefficients
Height: 170 cm (5 ft 6.9 in)
Average across formulas: 61.4 kg (135.3 lb)
Range across formulas: 60.7 – 62.5 kg (133.9 – 137.8 lb)
Keep records of posture, footwear, and time of day when repeating measurements to compare like-for-like results.
Results update in real time and are displayed from most-referenced to niche methods. Use the notes to decide which guideline aligns with your consultation.
Devine formula
Popularity rank #1
Introduced in 1974 to dose aminoglycoside medications, the Devine formula remains the go-to baseline for hospital teams and clinical guidelines.
Robinson formula
Popularity rank #2
Published in 1983, Robinson adjusts the Devine constants to reflect updated body composition research for adults with average frames.
Miller formula
Popularity rank #3
Miller’s 1983 update set slightly lower multipliers to support respiratory care dosing and is often preferred for individuals with lighter builds.
Hamwi formula
Popularity rank #4
The Hamwi method from 1964 uses slightly larger adjustments per inch and is still referenced in nutrition counselling for quick calorie targets.
Ideal weight formulas offer directional goals. Always combine them with medical history, body composition testing, and professional advice before making major changes.
The term "Ideal Body Weight" (IBW) is often misunderstood. It didn't originate in the fashion industry, but in pharmacology. Doctors needed a way to calculate safe drug dosages for patients, regardless of how much body fat they carried. The Ideal Weight Calculator brings these clinical tools to your fingertips, allowing you to see the numbers that medical professionals use as a baseline.
However, "clinical ideal" doesn't always mean "personal best." By displaying results from the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas side-by-side, this dashboard provides a "consensus view." Instead of chasing a single, rigid number, you get a Wellness Corridor a range of healthy weights that accounts for different methodological biases. This approach promotes a healthier, more flexible mindset towards weight management.
Whether you are a patient preparing for surgery, an athlete optimizing power-to-weight ratio, or simply someone looking for a science-backed goal, this tool separates the medical data from the social noise.
Maintaining a weight within your ideal range is about more than aesthetics; it's an investment in your biological infrastructure. Staying near your IBW reduces mechanical stress on joints (lowering osteoarthritis risk), optimizes insulin sensitivity, and improves cardiovascular efficiency. It is a key metric in the longevity equation.
We integrate this data with your broader life goals. Use the BMI calculator to see how your IBW aligns with general health categories, or check the calorie calculator to plan the nutrition required to reach or maintain this target. Health is a system, and your weight is just one data point in that system.
Note: These formulas apply to the "average" body composition. If you are a bodybuilder or have a unique frame, read the "Real-World Applications" section to understand how to interpret your results.
The Ideal Weight Calculator goes beyond a simple BMI check. It calculates a specific weight target based on your height, gender, and frame size using four medically proven formulas.
While BMI gives a range of 30-40 lbs, these formulas narrow it down to a precise number, which is often used by doctors for medication dosing and health assessments.
We use the standard "Base + Increment" logic common in US medical schools:
BMI is a broad screening tool (e.g., "You are in the healthy range"). Ideal Weight is a specific target (e.g., "Your target is 160 lbs"). Ideal weight formulas are often criticized for being too low for modern, muscular populations.
Determined by wrist circumference. Small frames should aim for the lower end of the weight range (Hamwi/Miller), while large frames should aim for the higher end (Devine/Robinson).
A clinical term used to estimate lean body mass + essential fat.
Doctors use IBW to dose dangerous drugs. If they used your total weight (including excess fat), the dose might be toxic.
Life insurance exams compare you against these tables. Being near your IBW gets you the "Preferred Best" rate.
Example Calculation (Hamwi)
Measurement: Male, 5'10"
Base = 106 lbs
Inches over 5ft = 10 inches
Increment = 6 lbs x 10 = 60 lbs
Result = 166 lbs
Bodybuilders: These formulas fail for athletes. A 5'10" bodybuilder at 200 lbs of muscle is "overweight" by these standards but healthy.
Disclaimer: Educational use only.