⚖️ Ideal Weight Calculator
See what the four classic ideal-body-weight formulas and the healthy BMI range say about your height.
Quick answer: For a man 175 cm tall, the Devine formula gives an ideal body weight of 70.5 kg (50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft), and the healthy BMI range is 56.7–76.3 kg.
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Ideal Weight Calculator inputs
Result
Ideal body weight
68.7 – 72 kg
Average of four formulas: 70 kg
| Robinson (1983) | 68.9 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 68.7 kg |
| Devine (1974) | 70.5 kg |
| Hamwi (1964) | 72 kg |
- Healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9)
- 56.7 kg – 76.3 kg
How ideal body weight is calculated
All four classic formulas start from a base weight at 5 feet (60 inches) and add a fixed amount for each inch above that.
IBW = base weight + increment × (height in inches − 60)
| Formula | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg/in | 49 kg + 1.7 kg/in |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/in | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/in |
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg/in | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/in |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg/in | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg/in |
The healthy BMI range is the weight that gives a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 at your height: weight = BMI × height(m)².
Worked example
A man 175 cm tall is 68.9 inches, or 8.9 inches over 5 ft. Devine: 50 + 2.3 × 8.9 = 70.5 kg. Robinson gives 68.9 kg, Miller 68.7 kg and Hamwi 72.0 kg. His healthy BMI range is 18.5 × 1.75² = 56.7 kg to 24.9 × 1.75² = 76.3 kg.
Using the results
- Think of the formulas as a reference point, not a target you must hit.
- People with a large frame or lots of muscle often sit healthily above the formula values.
- The BMI range is broad on purpose – anywhere inside it is generally associated with lower health risk.
- Waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is another simple check that complements weight.
Remember that these equations were originally created to estimate drug doses, not to set personal goals.
For general information only – not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
None is definitive. Devine is the most widely used in medicine (for example for drug dosing), while Robinson and Miller were later refinements. The healthy BMI range is a better guide for personal goals because it allows for different builds.
Why do the formulas give different results?
Each was fitted to different data sets and decades. They agree closely for average heights and diverge for very short or very tall people.
Do the formulas account for muscle?
No. They only use height and sex, so muscular people can be perfectly healthy above their “ideal” weight. Waist size or body fat percentage gives more context.
What if I am shorter than 5 feet?
The formulas were built for heights of 5 ft (152 cm) and up. For shorter heights the calculator extrapolates, so lean more on the healthy BMI range.