Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Estimate your ideal body weight using three widely recognized clinical formulas. The Devine, Robinson, and Miller equations each calculate a target weight based on your height and gender. These formulas were originally developed for medical dosing but are now commonly used as general healthy-weight references.
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or exercise routine.
What Is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is a clinical estimate of how much a person should weigh based primarily on their height and sex. Originally developed for medical purposes — such as calculating drug dosages and setting ventilator volumes — IBW has become a common reference point in nutrition and fitness planning as well.
It is important to understand that IBW is not a single perfect number. Several different formulas exist, each producing slightly different results. No formula can account for individual factors like muscle mass, bone structure, or body fat distribution. Think of IBW as a ballpark reference, not a rigid target.
How Is It Calculated?
The most commonly used formulas were developed for clinical medicine. Each takes height as the primary input and applies a different coefficient:
- Devine Formula (1974): The most widely cited. For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. This formula was originally created for drug dosing, not body composition.
- Robinson Formula (1983): A refinement of Devine. For men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet. For women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. It tends to produce slightly higher estimates for women.
- Miller Formula (1983): For men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet. For women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet. Miller generally yields higher values than the other two formulas.
Our calculator shows results from all three formulas side by side so you can see the range rather than relying on a single number.
What Do the Results Mean?
If your actual weight is close to the IBW range, it suggests your weight is within a zone that most clinical formulas consider appropriate for your height. However, being above or below the IBW range does not automatically mean you are unhealthy.
A strength athlete who carries substantial muscle mass will likely weigh well above their calculated IBW — and be in excellent health. Conversely, someone at their exact IBW could still have a high body fat percentage if they lack muscle. Context matters.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
- IBW formulas do not account for body composition. Muscle is denser than fat, so muscular individuals will almost always exceed their IBW.
- They were developed on limited population samples and may not apply equally across all ethnicities and body types.
- Height is the only anthropometric input. Frame size, limb proportions, and bone density are ignored.
- These formulas were created for clinical drug dosing, not for defining aesthetic or fitness goals.
Tips for Using IBW Wisely
- Use the range from multiple formulas as a loose reference, not a definitive goal.
- Combine IBW with and body fat percentage for a more meaningful assessment of where your weight stands.
- Focus on how you feel, perform, and recover rather than chasing a specific number on the scale.
- If you are significantly above or below the IBW range, consider consulting a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
Related Calculators
See how your weight compares to population norms with the BMI Calculator, or get a more nuanced view of your composition with the Body Fat Calculator.
Get a personalized plan built around your numbers
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