Free Online Ideal Weight Calculator
Compare ideal weight ranges from several formulas.
A rough guide is to wrap your thumb and index finger around your wrist; if they overlap you likely have a small frame.
Ideal weight formulas were developed for drug dosing and insurance tables. They are estimates for an average build and do not account for muscle mass, age, or ethnicity.
About the Ideal Weight Calculator
"Ideal weight" is a slippery idea. There is no single weight that is perfect for everyone at a given height, because muscle mass, bone density, age, and body composition all matter. What the formulas on this page provide is a reference range: a set of estimates derived from height and sex that were originally used for insurance tables and medical dosing.
The four formulas
The Devine formula (1974) is the most widely used: 50 kg for men or 45.5 kg for women at five feet, plus 2.3 kg per inch above that height. Robinson's formula uses the same structure with different coefficients (52 kg and 1.9 kg per inch for men, 49 kg and 1.7 kg for women). Miller's formula starts higher and rises more slowly, and the Hamwi formula uses 48 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women with a larger per-inch increment. Because each was built for a different purpose, they rarely agree exactly.
The healthy BMI range is calculated from the standard 18.5–24.9 band applied to your height. It is usually wider than the formula estimates, and for many people it is a more useful target because it reflects a range rather than a single number. The frame adjustment multiplies each formula result by 0.9 for a small frame, 1.0 for a medium frame, or 1.1 for a large frame.
Frequently asked questions
Which formula should I trust?
The Devine formula is the most commonly used in clinical settings, but all four are approximations. Use the average and the healthy BMI range together as a broad guide rather than a target to chase.
Why is my ideal weight different from my current weight?
Formulas describe a statistical average for a height, not your personal best weight. Athletes with high muscle mass often weigh more than the formula suggests while carrying little fat.
How do I know my frame size?
Wrist circumference and elbow breadth are common methods. The thumb-and-finger test is a rough shortcut. When in doubt, use the medium frame setting and treat the result as a range.