WiseCalcs

Ideal weight calculator

Enter your height in centimetres and pick your sex. The calculator averages the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas and shows the healthy weight range for your height by BMI.

Use it to see an ideal-weight estimate for your height, with a healthy range rather than a single fixed number.

cm

Ideal weight

74.1 kg

Devine formula
75 kg
Robinson formula
72.6 kg
Healthy BMI range
59.9–80.7 kg

The result updates as you type. The headline is the four-formula average; the BMI range shows the span considered healthy for your height.

How does it work?

Results average the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas. The healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) gives a band rather than a single number. These are population estimates, not medical targets.

Ideal body weight formula

IBW=base+k×(heightin−60)\text{IBW} = \text{base} + k \times (\text{height}_{in} - 60)
IBW
Ideal body weight in kilograms.
base
Starting weight for 5 ft, set by formula and sex.
k
Kilograms added per inch above 5 ft.
height
Height in inches (centimetres ÷ 2.54).

A 180 cm man is about 70.9 in. The Devine formula gives 50 + 2.3 × 10.9 ≈ 75 kg; the four-formula average lands near 73 kg.

Method & sources

Height is entered in centimetres and converted to inches for the classic formulas. The headline averages the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas. The healthy BMI range uses the 18.5–24.9 band.

Sources

Where this method comes from — use these references to understand the formula, assumptions, and limits.

How we calculate

  • Height is entered in centimetres and converted to inches for the classic formulas.
  • The headline averages the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas.
  • The healthy BMI range uses the 18.5–24.9 band.
  • These are population estimates for adults, not personal medical targets.

Rounding

Weights are shown to one decimal. The calculation uses full precision.

What this calculator does

Several long-standing formulas estimate ideal body weight from height and sex. This calculator runs four of them — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — averages the results, and adds the healthy weight range from the BMI band so you see a sensible window, not a single target.

How to use it

  1. Enter your height in centimetres.
  2. Pick your sex, which the formulas weight differently.
  3. Read the average ideal weight and the Devine and Robinson results.
  4. Compare against the healthy BMI range.

A worked example

A 180 cm man is about 70.9 inches. Devine gives roughly 75 kg, the four-formula average lands near 73 kg, and the healthy BMI range for 180 cm is about 60–81 kg.

Why a range, not one number

Ideal weight depends on build, muscle, and frame size, which these formulas can't see. Treat the average as a reference point and the BMI range as the broader healthy window.

Common mistakes

  • Entering height in metres or inches instead of centimetres.
  • Reading the estimate as a strict goal rather than a guide.
  • Applying these adult formulas to children or teenagers.

When it's useful

As a rough reference for a healthy weight, a starting point for goal-setting, or a sanity check alongside BMI — not a substitute for medical advice.

FAQ

Which formulas does it use?
The Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas, all based on height above 5 ft. The headline is their average.
Why do men and women get different results?
The formulas use different base weights and per-inch increments for each sex, reflecting average body differences.
Is ideal weight the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly. The formulas give a point estimate; the healthy BMI range gives a wider band. Both ignore muscle and frame size.
Does it work for very tall or short people?
The formulas are linear, so they drift at the extremes. Use the BMI range as a cross-check for unusual heights.
Can I use it for children?
No. These are adult formulas. Children and teenagers need age- and growth-based references from a clinician.
Can I share a calculation?
Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the calculator with the same height and sex.

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<iframe src="https://wisecalcs.com/embed/en/ideal-weight-calculator" width="100%" height="520" style="border:0" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p>Calculator from <a href="https://wisecalcs.com/en/health/ideal-weight-calculator">WiseCalcs</a></p>