Ideal Weight Calculator – Find Your Healthy Weight Range

An ideal weight calculator estimates a healthy body weight range based on your height, gender, and body frame size. It uses established medical formulas (Robinson, Miller, Devine, Hamwi) developed between 1964 and 1983, plus the WHO healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9. The result is a guideline, not a strict target.

No single formula is universally "best." Robinson (1983) is most commonly used by healthcare professionals. Devine (1974) is standard for drug dosage calculations. Miller tends to give slightly higher estimates. Using the average of all four formulas provides the most balanced result, which is what this calculator displays.

Body frame accounts for differences in bone structure. A large-framed person naturally weighs more than a small-framed person of the same height. This calculator adjusts by −10% for small frames and +10% for large frames. You can determine your frame using the wrist wrap test: if your thumb and middle finger overlap around your wrist, you have a small frame; just touch = medium; don't touch = large.

No. BMI (Body Mass Index) is a ratio of weight to height squared, categorizing you as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. Ideal weight is a specific weight target based on height and gender. A person can have a "normal" BMI but still be above or below their ideal weight from formula calculations. This calculator shows both for comparison.

Athletes and muscular individuals should interpret results carefully. Muscle weighs more than fat, so a fit person may exceed their "ideal weight" while being perfectly healthy. For athletes, body fat percentage (men: 6–24%, women: 14–31%) or waist-to-hip ratio are better health indicators than weight alone.

These formulas don't directly account for age, but body composition changes over time. After age 30, adults lose about 3–5% of muscle mass per decade. Older adults may have slightly higher body fat at the same weight. The healthy BMI range remains 18.5–24.9 for all adults, though some research suggests a slightly higher range (22–27) may be optimal for adults over 65.

Each formula was developed using different study populations and methodologies. Hamwi (1964) was a quick clinical estimate. Devine (1974) was designed for medication dosing. Robinson and Miller (1983) refined earlier work with updated data. The differences are typically 2–5 kg between formulas, which is why averaging provides a more reliable target.

This calculator works for heights between 5'0" (152 cm) and 7'0" (213 cm). The underlying formulas were developed for adults in this range. For heights outside this range, or for children and adolescents, consult age-specific growth charts from the CDC or WHO instead.

As a quick reference for medium-framed adults: at 5'4" (163 cm), the average ideal weight is about 63 kg (139 lbs) for men and 58 kg (127 lbs) for women. At 5'8" (173 cm), it's about 75 kg (164 lbs) for men and 67 kg (149 lbs) for women. Use the calculator above for your exact height, and check the reference table for more heights.

No — treat it as a range, not a single number. A healthy weight falls within ±5% of the calculated ideal. Focus on overall health markers: energy levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, waist circumference, and how you feel. If you're within the healthy BMI range and physically active, your weight is likely fine even if it doesn't match a formula exactly.