How to use the ideal weight calculator
Choose metric or US units, select your sex and enter your height. The calculator shows the ideal body weight from four well-known formulas, the range they cover together, and the weight range that gives a healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
The four formulas
Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 feet (152.4 cm) and adds a set amount for every inch above that height.
- Robinson (1983): men 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch, women 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch
- Miller (1983): men 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch, women 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch
- Devine (1974): men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch, women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch
- Hamwi (1964): men 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch, women 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch
Which result should I use?
The formulas were created to estimate medication doses, not to set personal goals, and none of them accounts for muscle mass, frame size or age. Treat the range as a rough guide. The healthy BMI range is a broader and more flexible target for most adults.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for 5 ft 9 in?
For a man, the formulas give about 68 to 72 kg (151 to 159 lb). For a woman, about 62 to 66 kg (137 to 146 lb).
Why do the formulas give different answers?
They were derived from different data sets and decades. Their spread shows that there is no single ideal weight for a given height.