Ideal Weight Calculator
“Ideal body weight” is not a single number — it is a reference range. This calculator shows four classic formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi), all of which estimate weight from height for people taller than five feet. They were originally created for medication dosing and clinical reference, not as personal goals, and they disagree by several kilograms for the same height. Read the result as a rough range to inform a conversation with a healthcare professional, not as a target you must hit. Healthy bodies come in many shapes, and these formulas ignore frame size, muscle, and age.
Calculate
Default result: 160.9 lb
Ideal Weight Calculator · Result
calculators.dev
Devine (most cited)
male × 70 in
- Robinson (1983)
- 156.5 lb
- Miller (1983)
- 155.0 lb
- Hamwi (1964)
- 165.3 lb
This calculator provides general estimates for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Results are based on population formulas and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health routine.
Reviewed by the calculators.dev team · Last updated 2026-06-23
Formula reviewed against Devine BJ. Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1974 (Devine formula)
How to calculate
Choose your sex and enter your height. Each formula starts from a base weight at five feet (60 inches) and adds a set amount per inch above that. For a 70-inch man the four standards land between about 70 and 75 kg. The Devine result is highlighted because it is the most widely cited, but the others are shown so you can see the natural spread. Treat the band they form as a reference, and remember the formulas were not designed as personal weight goals.
Each standard is weight = base + per_inch × (height_in − 60), with different constants per sex. Devine (male) = 50.0 + 2.30 × Δin; Robinson (male) = 52.0 + 1.90 × Δin; Miller (male) = 56.2 + 1.41 × Δin; Hamwi (male) = 48.0 + 2.70 × Δin (female constants differ). Variables: Δin is inches of height above 5 feet, base is the weight at 5 feet, and per_inch is the linear increment. The result is kilograms. The formulas are linear approximations and do not account for frame size, muscle, or body composition.
Example calculation
For a man 70 inches (5 ft 10 in) tall — 10 inches over the 5-foot base — the four standards give Devine 50.0 + 2.30 × 10 = 73.0 kg, Robinson 71.0 kg, Miller 70.3 kg, and Hamwi 75.0 kg. The spread of about 5 kg between formulas is exactly why this is a reference range, not a single target.
- devine
- 73.0 kg
- robinson
- 71.0 kg
- miller
- 70.3 kg
- hamwi
- 75.0 kg
Assumptions
- The formulas are defined for heights above five feet and add a fixed amount of weight per inch; below 5 feet they are not designed to apply.
- They estimate a reference weight, not a body-fat or health target — frame size, muscle mass, and age are not modelled.
- The four standards disagree by several kilograms for the same height, so the honest output is a range rather than one number.
Common mistakes
- Treating a single formula's number as a strict goal. The four standards differ by several kilograms — use the band they form, not one figure.
- Applying the formulas to children or to adults under five feet, for whom they were never designed.
- Reading ideal weight as a measure of health. It says nothing about body fat, fitness, or muscle — a muscular person can sit well above it and be perfectly healthy.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
There is no single best one. Devine is the most cited and is highlighted here, but Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi are all reasonable. Because they disagree, the most honest answer is the range they cover.
Why do the formulas give different numbers?
Each was derived for a different purpose and uses a different base weight and per-inch increment. For a 70-inch man they range from about 70 to 75 kg, which is why we present a band rather than one value.
Is ideal weight the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly. These formulas were built for clinical reference and drug dosing, not as health targets. A healthy weight depends on body composition, fitness, and individual factors a height-only formula cannot capture.
Should I aim for my ideal weight?
Treat it as a rough reference, not a mandatory goal. Bodies vary, and a single number can be misleading. Discuss any weight goal with a healthcare professional who can consider your whole picture.