Ideal Weight Calculator
Enter your height and gender to estimate an ideal body weight range using the Devine formula.
Last updated: September 5, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How is ideal body weight calculated?
The Devine formula starts at a base weight for 5 feet of height (50 kg for men, 45.5 kg for women) and adds 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet - a 5'10" man works out to about 161 lb.
Is the Devine formula a good weight-loss target?
Not necessarily - it doesn't account for muscle mass, frame size, or individual body composition, so it's better used as a rough medical reference than a personal fitness goal.
Why do ideal weight formulas differ from healthy BMI ranges?
Ideal weight formulas like Devine were originally developed for medical dosing calculations, not as fitness or aesthetic targets, and they don't account for muscle mass or frame size the way a BMI range or body composition assessment might - they're a rough reference point, not a strict target.
Why do different ideal weight formulas (Devine, Robinson, Hamwi) give different results?
Each formula was developed from different population samples and study periods, so they weight height and frame size slightly differently. The results typically fall within a few pounds of each other, and none of them should be treated as a precise target - they're rough reference points, not medical prescriptions.
What's an example ideal weight calculation?
For a woman who is 5'4" (64 in), the Devine formula gives 45.5 kg + (2.3 kg × 4 inches over 5 feet) = 54.7 kg, or about 121 lb.
Should ideal weight match the middle of a healthy BMI range?
Not always - Devine-formula results and BMI-based healthy-weight ranges are calculated differently and can diverge, especially at taller or shorter heights, since Devine grows linearly with height while BMI ranges grow with height squared.
Does this account for body frame size (small, medium, large)?
No - the Devine formula used here is based only on height and gender, not wrist circumference or frame size. Some other ideal-weight methods add a frame-size adjustment, which can shift the estimate up or down by several pounds for the same height.