Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your healthy weight range using multiple scientific formulas
Your Details
Gender
Height Unit
Height (cm)
cm
Note
Ideal weight formulas were developed primarily for clinical drug dosing purposes and represent statistical averages. They do not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition. Athletes and very muscular individuals may be "overweight" by these formulas while being perfectly healthy.
Average Ideal Weight
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Healthy BMI range: —
Devine Formula—
Robinson Formula—
Miller Formula—
Hamwi Formula—
What is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of the optimal weight for a given height, traditionally used in medicine for calculating drug dosages and assessing nutritional status. Several formulas exist, each developed for different purposes and populations.
For general health, the BMI-based healthy weight range (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) is a broader and more inclusive target. The formula averages shown here give you a central reference point, but remember that healthy weight is also influenced by muscle mass, bone structure, age, and ethnicity.
lightbulb Example Calculation
Male, 175 cm (5′8.9″)
1Devine: 50 + 2.3×8.9 = 70.5 kg
2Robinson: 52 + 1.9×8.9 = 68.9 kg
3BMI range: 18.5×1.75² to 24.9×1.75² = 56.7–76.2 kg
✓ Average ideal: ~69.6 kg for 175 cm male
About the Formulas
- Devine Formula (1974)
- Most widely used in clinical medicine for drug dosing. Male: 50 + 2.3×(inches over 5ft). Female: 45.5 + 2.3×(inches over 5ft). Originally developed for anesthesia dosing.
- Robinson Formula (1983)
- Adjusted for gender: Male: 52 + 1.9×(inches over 5ft). Female: 49 + 1.7×(inches over 5ft). Slightly lower estimates than Devine.
- Miller Formula (1983)
- Similar structure but different coefficients, generally gives slightly higher estimates than Robinson for taller individuals.
- Hamwi Formula (1964)
- Oldest and most conservative formula. Often used in nutrition counseling. Male: 48 + 2.7×(inches over 5ft). Female: 45.4 + 2.3×(inches over 5ft).
Limitations & Context
- All IBW formulas were developed on Western populations — may not perfectly apply to South Asian body types, which tend to have higher body fat at lower BMIs
- Athletes and strength trainers often exceed "ideal weight" by 5–15 kg due to muscle mass
- Age matters — healthy weight ranges shift slightly with age as body composition naturally changes
- Body fat percentage (see our Body Fat Calculator) is a better health indicator than weight alone
- Use these numbers as a general reference, not a strict target — your doctor can assess your specific situation
quizFrequently Asked Questions
How much should I weigh for my height in India?
The WHO and Indian health guidelines recommend using BMI 18.5–23 as the healthy range for Asian adults (lower than the 18.5–24.9 used globally), as South Asian populations tend to have higher cardiovascular risk at lower BMIs. For a 165 cm Indian woman, this means 50.3–62.7 kg; for a 175 cm Indian man, 56.7–70.4 kg. These are healthy ranges, not strict targets. Weight within 5–10% of these ranges is generally not a health concern if body composition is normal.
Is it possible to be "overweight" but healthy?
Yes — this is well-documented in the research literature as the "obesity paradox" and more specifically in athletes and muscular individuals. A person with high muscle mass may have a BMI above 25 but low body fat percentage (15–20%), good cardiovascular fitness, and excellent metabolic health markers. Conversely, "normal weight obesity" — BMI in the healthy range but high body fat — is common in sedentary individuals with low muscle mass and carries significant health risks. Weight is an incomplete picture; body composition, fitness level, and metabolic markers tell a more complete story.
How fast should I aim to lose or gain weight to reach my ideal weight?
For fat loss: target 0.25–0.5 kg per week for sustainable loss with muscle preservation. Faster rates (above 1 kg/week) significantly increase muscle loss and hormonal disruption. For muscle gain: a natural trainee can gain 0.5–1 kg of muscle per month optimally — gaining faster than this means gaining mostly fat. So "bulking" at more than 1–2 kg/month is typically counterproductive. For most people, the path to their ideal weight takes 3–12 months depending on how far they start from the target. Patience and consistency beat any crash approach.