Ideal Weight Calculator
Enter your height and sex to get an estimated ideal body weight, based on the Devine formula — a reference formula originally developed for medication dosing that's widely used as a general weight benchmark.
How the Ideal Weight formula works
The Devine formula (height in inches over 5 feet):
Men: IBW(kg) = 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60) Women: IBW(kg) = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
Step-by-step calculation
- Convert height to total inches.
- Subtract 60 (the inch-equivalent of 5 feet) from the height in inches.
- Multiply that difference by 2.3.
- Add the sex-specific base value (50 for men, 45.5 for women).
Worked example
A woman who is 165 cm tall (about 65 inches): IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 × (65 − 60) = 45.5 + 11.5 = 57 kg.
Frequently asked questions
Is 'ideal weight' the same as a 'healthy weight'?
Not exactly — the Devine formula produces a single reference number originally meant for drug dosing calculations, while a healthy weight is better understood as a range that also depends on build, muscle mass, and other individual factors.
Does this formula work for people under 5 feet tall?
The formula becomes less reliable well below 5 feet, since the (height − 60) term goes negative and can produce unrealistically low results — it's most reliable in typical adult height ranges.
Are there other ideal weight formulas?
Yes — Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas are other commonly cited alternatives, each producing slightly different estimates. They generally agree within a few kilograms of each other for average heights.