Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your ideal body weight
Wrist measurement: Small = <6.5"(M)/<5.5"(F), Large = >7.5"(M)/>6.5"(F)
Your Ideal Weight
About Ideal Weight Calculator
The Ideal Body Weight (IBW) calculator helps you find your optimal weight range based on height, gender, and body frame size. Multiple formulas provide a range of recommendations.
The Robinson formula is currently recommended for general population, while the Devine formula remains the medical standard for drug dosing calculations. Frame size adjustment adds or subtracts 10% for accuracy.
How to Use This Ideal Weight Calculator
Step 1: Select your gender (Male or Female).
Step 2: Choose unit system — Imperial (feet/inches) or Metric (centimeters).
Step 3: Enter your height — feet & inches or centimeters.
Step 4: Select your body frame size (Small, Medium, or Large).
Step 5: Click "Calculate Ideal Weight" to see results from all 4 formulas.
Step 6: Use the Reset button to clear all inputs and start a new calculation.
Why Use an Ideal Weight Calculator?
✓ Medical Dosing Reference
Doctors and pharmacists use IBW for medication dosing, especially for chemotherapy, anesthesia, and critical care drugs.
✓ Health Goal Setting
Set realistic weight loss or weight gain targets based on medical standards rather than aesthetic preferences.
✓ Nutritional Assessment
Dietitians use IBW to calculate daily calorie and protein needs for hospitalized patients.
✓ Insurance & Employment
Some life insurance and employment physicals use IBW ranges for health risk assessment.
Ideal Weight Formulas
| Formula | Men (5 ft base) | Women (5 ft base) |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (Medical Standard) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch over 5' | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/inch over 5' |
| Robinson (Recommended) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg/inch over 5' | 49 kg + 1.7 kg/inch over 5' |
| Miller (Nutritionists) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/inch over 5' | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/inch over 5' |
| Hamwi (Traditional) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg/inch over 5' | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg/inch over 5' |
Body Frame Size Reference
| Frame Size | Men (Wrist) | Women (Wrist) | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Frame | < 6.5" | < 5.5" | -10% |
| Medium Frame | 6.5-7.5" | 5.5-6.5" | No adjustment |
| Large Frame | > 7.5" | > 6.5" | +10% |
Healthy Weight Ranges by Height
Women (5'0" - 5'10")
- • 5'0" (152 cm): 95-115 lbs (43-52 kg)
- • 5'2" (157 cm): 105-125 lbs (48-57 kg)
- • 5'4" (163 cm): 115-135 lbs (52-61 kg)
- • 5'6" (168 cm): 125-145 lbs (57-66 kg)
- • 5'8" (173 cm): 135-155 lbs (61-70 kg)
- • 5'10" (178 cm): 145-165 lbs (66-75 kg)
Men (5'4" - 6'2")
- • 5'4" (163 cm): 120-145 lbs (54-66 kg)
- • 5'6" (168 cm): 130-155 lbs (59-70 kg)
- • 5'8" (173 cm): 140-165 lbs (64-75 kg)
- • 5'10" (178 cm): 150-175 lbs (68-79 kg)
- • 6'0" (183 cm): 160-185 lbs (73-84 kg)
- • 6'2" (188 cm): 170-195 lbs (77-88 kg)
Limitations of Ideal Weight Formulas
While ideal weight calculators are helpful guides, they have important limitations:
- •Don't account for muscle mass — Athletes may weigh more than IBW but have low body fat
- •Originally for medical dosing — Not intended as beauty or fitness standards
- •Ethnicity differences — Asian populations have different body composition
- •Age not considered — Older adults may benefit from slightly higher weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of the optimal weight for a person based on height, gender, and body frame. The most common formulas are Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), Devine (1974), and Hamwi (1964). These formulas were originally developed for medical dosing but are now widely used for general health assessment.
The Devine formula (most commonly used): Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. Example: 5'10" man = 50 kg + (10 × 2.3) = 73 kg (161 lbs). This formula is the standard for medical dosing and is used by most health professionals.
Robinson formula (more accurate for modern populations): Men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. Example: 5'10" man = 52 kg + (10 × 1.9) = 71 kg. This formula is recommended for general population use.
Yes! People with larger frames (wider wrists, broader shoulders) naturally weigh more than those with smaller frames. Frame size can add or subtract 10% from calculated ideal weight. Measure your wrist circumference: Men >7.5" = large frame, <6.5" = small frame. Women >6.5" = large frame, <5.5" = small frame.
A healthy weight range is typically within ±10% of your ideal body weight. Using BMI as a guide: 18.5-24.9 is normal weight. For a 5'10" person, healthy range is 129-174 lbs (59-79 kg). Ideal weight usually falls in the middle of this range (150-160 lbs).
Yes, ideal weight typically increases slightly with age. Adults may gain 1-2 kg per decade after 30 due to metabolic changes and muscle loss. For seniors (65+), a slightly higher BMI (23-27) is associated with better health outcomes than 'ideal' weight from formulas designed for younger adults.
Miller formula (1983): Men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet. This formula gives slightly lower values than Devine and is preferred by some nutritionists for non-medical weight goals.
Adjusted Body Weight (ABW) = IBW + 0.4 × (Actual Weight - IBW). Used for calculating nutritional needs in overweight/obese patients. Example: 5'10" man, IBW 160 lbs, actual 220 lbs = 160 + 0.4 × (220-160) = 160 + 24 = 184 lbs adjusted weight.
Ideal weight formulas (Devine, Robinson) are designed for adults only. For children (2-20 years), use CDC growth charts which track percentile curves. Ideal weight for children varies significantly by age, sex, and height percentile. Consult your pediatrician for accurate assessment.
Ideal weight is based on height and gender formulas (medical standard). Goal weight is personal target for weight loss/gain (may be higher or lower than ideal). For health, goal weight should be within ±10-15% of ideal weight. Rapid weight changes beyond 20% of ideal may require medical supervision.