HEALTH CALCULATOR
Ideal Weight Calculator
Compare four traditional height-based ideal-weight formulas and a separate BMI-based healthy weight range. Enter your sex and height to see how different reference methods compare rather than treating one number as a universal target.
Calculate Your Ideal Weight
Compare traditional formulas with a separate BMI-based healthy weight reference.
Average of the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas. Use it as a comparison point, not as a universal ideal weight.
Devine
Traditional height-based reference.
Robinson
Alternative height-based comparison.
Miller
Alternative height-based reference.
Hamwi
Traditional height-based comparison.
Estimated Weight by Formula
Hover over a formula row to highlight its estimate and compare the four reference methods.
Healthy BMI Weight Range
This is a BMI-derived reference range, not another ideal-weight formula.
Height vs. Devine Estimate
Hover over a point to see the height and corresponding Devine reference estimate.
Formula Comparison Table
| Formula | Estimate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Devine | 70.5 kg | Traditional height-based reference. |
| Robinson | 68.9 kg | Alternative height-based comparison. |
| Miller | 68.7 kg | Alternative height-based reference. |
| Hamwi | 72.0 kg | Traditional height-based comparison. |
What Is an Ideal Weight?
An ideal weight calculator provides a mathematical reference estimate rather than identifying one universally correct weight. Traditional formulas use height and sex to produce a reference value, but they do not directly measure body composition, muscle mass, or overall health.
That distinction matters because two people with the same height can have different body builds, muscle mass, and health needs. For a broader height-and-weight screening measure, see our BMI Calculator. For body-composition context, our Body Fat Calculator estimates body fat percentage using circumference measurements.
How Does the Ideal Weight Calculator Work?
This calculator compares four commonly cited height-based formulas: Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi. Each formula starts with a different reference weight and applies a different coefficient to height above or below 5 feet.
Because the formulas use different coefficients, it is normal for them to produce different estimates for the same person. Showing the estimates together gives more useful context than presenting a single formula as an exact answer.
Ideal Weight Formulas
The formulas below use height in inches. When you enter metric measurements, the calculator converts centimeters to inches before applying the selected equation.
| Formula | Men | Women | Reference style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devine | 50 + 2.3 × inches over 5 ft | 45.5 + 2.3 × inches over 5 ft | Traditional height-based reference |
| Robinson | 52 + 1.9 × inches over 5 ft | 49 + 1.7 × inches over 5 ft | Alternative height-based reference |
| Miller | 56.2 + 1.41 × inches over 5 ft | 53.1 + 1.36 × inches over 5 ft | Alternative height-based reference |
| Hamwi | 48 + 2.7 × inches over 5 ft | 45.5 + 2.2 × inches over 5 ft | Traditional height-based reference |
“Inches over 5 ft” means the person's height in inches minus 60. Heights below 5 feet therefore produce a negative value for that portion of the equation. The calculator applies the same mathematical formula consistently rather than forcing the result to a fixed minimum.
Why Do the Results Differ?
The four formulas were developed with different assumptions and coefficients. For that reason, there is no mathematical requirement for their estimates to match. The difference between the highest and lowest estimate is useful to show how much the selected reference method influences the result.
A larger spread does not mean one formula is automatically wrong. It means the formulas are reference models, not direct measurements of an individual's ideal body weight.
Ideal Weight vs. a Healthy BMI Weight Range
The calculator also shows the adult BMI reference range of 18.5 to 24.9 converted into an estimated weight range for your height. This is a different calculation from the four ideal-weight formulas.
BMI is calculated from height and weight and is commonly used as a broad adult screening measure. It does not distinguish fat mass from muscle mass. You can learn more about the calculation and category definitions in our BMI Calculator.
| Reference | What it uses | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Devine | Height and sex | Traditional formula estimate |
| Robinson | Height and sex | Alternative formula estimate |
| Miller | Height and sex | Alternative formula estimate |
| Hamwi | Height and sex | Traditional formula estimate |
| BMI reference range | Height and BMI 18.5–24.9 | Height-based healthy-weight reference range |
Example: A 175 cm Man
For a man who is 175 cm tall, the four traditional formulas produce slightly different estimates. Using the same height for every formula makes the comparison easier to understand.
| Formula | Approximate estimate |
|---|---|
| Devine | 70.5 kg |
| Robinson | 68.9 kg |
| Miller | 68.7 kg |
| Hamwi | 72.0 kg |
The example shows why comparing several formulas can be more informative than relying on one estimate. The calculator's average reference is only a convenient summary of the four formulas; it is not a medically defined ideal weight.
Ideal Weight and Body Composition
Height-based formulas do not account directly for muscle mass, body-fat percentage, bone structure, or where body fat is distributed. A muscular person may weigh more than a height-based reference while still having a healthy body composition.
If you want additional context, use the Body Fat Calculator alongside BMI and weight measurements. Looking at several measures can provide more context than treating one calculated number as a personal health target.
What Can Affect a Healthy Weight?
Healthy body weight is influenced by many factors that these formulas do not capture. Body composition, age, activity level, genetics, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle can all affect how a particular weight should be interpreted.
The goal of a calculator should therefore be to provide a useful reference point. It should not replace individualized guidance from a qualified healthcare professional when a personal health assessment is needed.
How Accurate Is an Ideal Weight Calculator?
These calculators are mathematical estimates based mainly on height and sex. They are useful for comparing traditional reference methods, but they are not direct measurements and cannot determine an individual's optimal body weight.
For practical weight-management planning, you may also want to review our Calorie Calculator for estimated daily calorie needs, our BMR Calculator for resting energy requirements, or our TDEE Calculator for estimated total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ideal weight formula?
There is no single formula that can determine the ideal weight for every person. Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi use different assumptions, so the calculator displays them side by side.
Should I use ideal weight or BMI?
They answer different questions. Ideal-weight formulas provide height-based reference estimates, while BMI relates body weight to height and is used as a broad adult screening measure.
Does the calculator account for muscle mass?
No. The traditional ideal-weight formulas are primarily based on height and sex. They do not directly measure muscle mass or body composition.
Can I use this calculator in pounds and feet?
Yes. Choose US Units and enter your height in feet and inches. The calculator converts the measurement internally so the formulas can be applied consistently.
Is the BMI healthy-weight range another ideal-weight formula?
No. The BMI-based range is calculated separately by converting BMI values of 18.5 and 24.9 into weights for your height. It should not be treated as another version of the four traditional formulas.
Is an ideal weight a medical target?
No. These are reference estimates. A personal health target should consider the individual's health, body composition, goals, and medical context.