“Ideal weight” formulas estimate the weight range associated with the lowest health risk for your height. No single number is perfect for every body — so this calculator shows you three established formulas side by side, so you can aim at a sensible range instead of one fragile number.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Estimate only — not medical advice.
The Three Formulas
- Devine (1974) — the most widely used: men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft; women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch
- 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
Worked Example
A man who is 178 cm tall (about 5 ft 10 in — ten inches over 5 ft): Devine gives 50 + (2.3 × 10) = 73 kg. Robinson gives about 71 kg and Miller about 70 kg — a target zone of roughly 70–73 kg.
Ideal Weight vs Healthy BMI Range
These formulas give a point estimate near the middle of the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9). The full healthy range for your height is wider — for 178 cm it runs from about 59 to 79 kg. If you carry a lot of muscle, the top of the BMI range (or slightly above it) can be perfectly healthy; the Body Fat Calculator gives a fairer check for muscular builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal weight for my height?
Use the three results above as a zone, not a single target. Most people feel and perform best somewhere inside the overlap of the three formulas and the healthy BMI range.
Why do the three formulas disagree?
They were built from different population data in different decades, and each makes slightly different assumptions about frame size. The disagreement itself is useful information — it shows the honest margin around any “ideal”.
Is ideal weight different for athletes?
Yes. These formulas assume an average build. Muscular athletes routinely sit 5–10 kg above their Devine result with low body fat and excellent health markers.
How fast should I move toward my ideal weight?
A steady 0.25–0.5 kg per week protects muscle and is far easier to maintain. The Weight Goal Date Calculator turns that pace into a realistic target date.