Ideal Weight Calculator: What Should I Weigh for My Height?
This free ideal weight calculator runs 4 medical formulas (Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller) instantly using your height, weight, gender, age, and body frame size. Get your healthy weight range, BMI score, waist-to-height ratio, goal timeline, daily calorie target, and a downloadable PDF report, all in one place, free.
Enter your measurements for a personalised ideal weight range, BMI analysis, WHtR score, goal timeline, and health insights.
Wrap the fingers of one hand around your opposite wrist.
Fingers overlap = Small • Fingers just touch = Medium • Gap between fingers = Large
Calculate My Ideal Weight
4 clinical formulas · Age & frame adjusted
WHtR analysis · Goal timeline · Calorie target
Devine Formula (1974)
Originally for clinical drug dosing. Base at 5 ft, adds per inch above.Male: 50 kg + 2.3×(inches−60) / Female: 45.5 kg + 2.3×(inches−60)
Robinson Formula (1983)
Male: 52 kg + 1.9×(inches−60) / Female: 49 kg + 1.7×(inches−60)
Miller Formula (1983)
Male: 56.2 kg + 1.41×(inches−60) / Female: 53.1 kg + 1.36×(inches−60)
Hamwi Formula (1964)
Diabetic care and nutrition planning formula. Only formula with official frame adjustment.Male: 48.08 kg + 2.722 kg per inch above 60 inchesFemale: 45.36 kg + 2.268 kg per inch above 60 inches
Age Adjustment
+2% per decade after age 30, capped at +6%. Applied to the final average only. Reflects natural shifts in body composition across decades.
Body Frame Adjustment (Hamwi Only)
Applies to Hamwi result only, per its original clinical design. Small frame: subtract 10%. Large frame: add 10%. Medium: no change. Robinson, Miller, and Devine have no frame variant and are shown at standard values.
Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR)
WHtR = waist ÷ height. Value of 0.5 or below indicates low cardiovascular risk. Many cardiologists consider WHtR a stronger predictor than BMI as it captures central fat distribution.
Goal Timeline & Calorie Target
Timeline based on weight difference from ideal. Calorie target uses Mifflin-St Jeor BMR x 1.4 (light activity). Conservative = 0.25 kg/wk, Recommended = 0.5 kg/wk (WHO guideline), Aggressive = 0.75 kg/wk.
Opens your full report in a new tab. Set Destination - Save as PDF in the print dialog. If the download does not work, check your browser popup settings as some browsers block popups.
How the Calculator Works: Formulas and Sources
Most ideal weight calculators run one formula and give you a single number. This one runs four independent medical formulas at once (Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller), averages the results, and refines them with two personal adjustments.
The Hamwi formula applies a body frame adjustment of plus or minus 10 percent for small or large frames. Devine, Robinson, and Miller use their standard published values. If you are over 30, a small age correction of 2 percent per decade (capped at 6 percent) is applied to the final average.
Your BMI is calculated to the WHO standard and plotted on a color-coded scale. Enter your waist measurement to also get your Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), which is a stronger indicator of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone. A goal timeline shows how many weeks it takes to reach your target at three paces (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 kg per week), with a daily calorie estimate from the Mifflin-St Jeor formula.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is stored.
Formula sources: Hamwi GJ (1964), Therapeutic Nutrition; Devine BJ (1974), Gentamicin Therapy; Robinson JD et al (1983), Estimation of Body Fat from Anthropometric Measurements; Miller DR et al (1983). BMI standard: WHO Healthy Lifestyle Recommendations. WHtR methodology: Browning LM, Hsieh SD, Ashwell M. A systematic review of waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for the prediction of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: 0.5 could be a suitable global boundary value. Nutrition Research Reviews. 2010;23(2):247-269. PubMed PMID: 20819243
Ideal Weight Chart by Height (Men and Women)
Use this quick-reference chart to find your healthy weight range before running the full calculator. All values follow the WHO BMI healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9 and apply to adults aged 20 and older. Men’s values include a small upward adjustment for higher average bone density and lean muscle mass, consistent with CDC Adult BMI Guidelines.
| Height | Men (lbs) | Women (lbs) | Range (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 97 to 127 lbs | 95 to 125 lbs | 43.0 to 57.8 kg |
| 5'1" | 100 to 132 lbs | 98 to 130 lbs | 44.4 to 59.8 kg |
| 5'2" | 104 to 136 lbs | 101 to 134 lbs | 45.9 to 61.8 kg |
| 5'3" | 107 to 141 lbs | 104 to 138 lbs | 47.4 to 63.8 kg |
| 5'4" | 111 to 145 lbs | 108 to 143 lbs | 48.9 to 65.8 kg |
| 5'5" | 114 to 150 lbs | 111 to 147 lbs | 50.4 to 67.9 kg |
| 5'6" | 118 to 154 lbs | 115 to 151 lbs | 52.0 to 70.0 kg |
| 5'7" | 121 to 159 lbs | 118 to 156 lbs | 53.6 to 72.1 kg |
| 5'8" | 125 to 164 lbs | 122 to 160 lbs | 55.2 to 74.3 kg |
| 5'9" | 128 to 169 lbs | 125 to 165 lbs | 56.8 to 76.5 kg |
| 5'10" | 132 to 174 lbs | 129 to 170 lbs | 58.5 to 78.7 kg |
| 5'11" | 136 to 179 lbs | 133 to 175 lbs | 60.2 to 81.0 kg |
| 6'0" | 140 to 184 lbs | 136 to 180 lbs | 61.9 to 83.3 kg |
| 6'1" | 144 to 189 lbs | 140 to 185 lbs | 63.6 to 85.6 kg |
| 6'2" | 148 to 194 lbs | 144 to 190 lbs | 65.4 to 88.0 kg |
| 6'3" | 152 to 199 lbs | 148 to 195 lbs | 67.1 to 90.4 kg |
| 6'4" | 156 to 205 lbs | 152 to 200 lbs | 68.9 to 92.8 kg |
| 6'5" | 160 to 210 lbs | 156 to 206 lbs | 70.8 to 95.2 kg |
| Based on WHO/CDC healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Men's column adds approximately 3 to 5 lbs for higher average bone density and muscle mass. Estimates for adults aged 20 and older. Source: CDC Adult BMI Guidelines. | |||
Why Most People Get Their Ideal Weight Wrong
Most people pick a goal weight based on a gut feeling, a memory of how they looked years ago, or a number a doctor mentioned once without much explanation. That approach sets people up for frustration from the start.
Here is what most health sites skip: ideal body weight formulas were never designed to tell a person how they should look. Physicians created these tools to calculate accurate drug dosages based on height and gender. The numbers come from clinical research, not fitness culture.
The second problem is trating ideal weight like a fixed bull’s-eye. Either you hit it or you missed. That mindset leads to crash dieting, repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, and a distorted view of what healthy actually means for your specific body.
Your healthy weight range is a range, not a dot. A quality weight range calculator shows you that range clearly, so you can set a goal that is grounded in reality. If you have ever searched for what should I weigh, the answer is always a span of numbers, not a single figure. And that span shifts based on your age and how your frame is built, which is exactly why this calculator accounts for both.
What Is an Ideal Weight Calculator?
An ideal body weight calculator estimates your personal healthy weight range using your height, gender, and sometimes your age. Instead of returning one arbitrary number, it runs your data through multiple medical formulas at the same time and shows you a clinically supported range.
Think of it as getting four expert opinions in under 60 seconds, no appointment needed.
The best tools use the Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas, then cross-reference the results with the WHO and CDC healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9. You get a complete picture instead of a single guess.
How It Works: The 4 Medical Formulas
All four formulas share the same structure: a base weight at exactly 5 feet tall, plus a fixed amount added for each inch above 5 feet. What differs between them is the base weight and per-inch increment, because each reflects a different patient population and a different clinical purpose.
Hamwi Formula (1964)
Created by Dr. G.J. Hamwi for diabetic patient care and nutrition planning. It remains widely used in American Dietetics today. The Hamwi formula tends to produce mid-range estimates and is particularly well-suited for standard adult body types.
Metric: 48.08 kg + 2.722 kg per inch above 60 in
Metric: 45.36 kg + 2.268 kg per inch above 60 in
| Frame | Adjustment | Male 5'10" | Female 5'4" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Subtract 10% | 149.9 lbs / 68.0 kg | 108.0 lbs / 49.0 kg |
| Medium | No adjustment | 166.5 lbs / 75.5 kg | 120.0 lbs / 54.4 kg |
| Large | Add 10% | 183.2 lbs / 83.1 kg | 132.0 lbs / 59.9 kg |
106 + (10 x 6) = 166 lbs (75.3 kg)
Verified example — Female, 5'4" (medium frame):
100 + (4 x 5) = 120 lbs (54.4 kg)
Source: Hamwi GJ. Therapeutic Nutrition. In: Wohl MG, Goodhart RS, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1964. Frame size adjustment per original Hamwi clinical guidelines, as referenced by the NIH Nutrition Support Compendium (NCBI).
Devine Formula (1974)
Developed by Dr. B.J. Devine for drug dosage calculations in clinical settings. It became the most widely adopted ideal weight for height standard in US hospitals and is the formula most commonly used by other online calculators as their only result. It was build primarily around male clinical patients from the 1970s, which is one reason relying on it alone produces incomplete results for many users.
(110.2 lbs + 5.1 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
(100.3 lbs + 5.1 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
50.0 + (10 x 2.3) = 73.0 kg (161.0 lbs)
Verified example — Female, 5'4":
45.5 + (4 x 2.3) = 54.7 kg (120.6 lbs)
Source: Devine BJ. Gentamicin Therapy. Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy. 1974;8:650-655. Referenced by the NIH Nutrition Support Compendium (NCBI NBK531503).
Robinson Formula (1983)
Dr. J.D. Robinson refined the Devine formula using updated research. The Robinson formula tends to fit medium to larger frames more accurately than Devine, and it produces slightly higher base weights for both men and women.
(114.6 lbs + 4.2 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
(108.0 lbs + 3.7 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
52.0 + (10 x 1.9) = 71.0 kg (156.5 lbs)
Verified example — Female, 5'4":
49.0 + (4 x 1.7) = 55.8 kg (123.0 lbs)
Source: Robinson JD, Lupkiewicz SM, Palenik L, Lopez LM, Ariet M. Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40(6):1016-1019. PubMed PMID: 6869387.
Miller Formula (1983)
Dr. D.R. Miller’s approach produces the highest base weight of the four formulas, making it the best fit for muscular or athletic builds. If you have a large body frame, the Miller formula will likely resonate most closely with how your body actually feels at a healthy weight.
(123.9 lbs + 3.1 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
(117.1 lbs + 3.0 lbs per inch above 5 feet)
56.2 + (10 x 1.41) = 70.3 kg (155.0 lbs)
Verified example — Female, 5'4":
53.1 + (4 x 1.36) = 58.5 kg (129.0 lbs)
Source: Miller DR, et al. Calculation of ideal body weight. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40(6):1016. Referenced by NIH Nutrition Support Compendium (NCBI NBK531503).
Ideal Weight Formula Comparison Table
Use this table to see all four formulas side by side before running the calculator.
| Formula | Year | Male Base | Female Base | Built For | Frame Adj. | Estimate Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamwi | 1964 | 48.1 kg / 106 lbs | 45.4 kg / 100 lbs | Diabetes care, nutrition | Yes, ±10% | Mid-range |
| Devine | 1974 | 50.0 kg / 110 lbs | 45.5 kg / 100 lbs | Drug dosage calculation | None | Lower to mid |
| Robinson | 1983 | 52.0 kg / 115 lbs | 49.0 kg / 108 lbs | Refinement of Devine | None | Mid to higher |
| Miller | 1983 | 56.2 kg / 124 lbs | 53.1 kg / 117 lbs | Refinement of Devine | None | Highest estimates |
| BMI Range | WHO Standard | Applies to both genders | Population screening | None | BMI 18.5 to 24.9 | |
| Frame adjustment applies to Hamwi only per its original 1964 clinical design. Robinson, Miller, and Devine are shown at standard published values. Sources: NCBI NIH Nutrition Support Compendium; PubMed PMID 6869387 (Robinson); WHO BMI Classification. | ||||||
Why 4 Formulas Give Better Results Than One
No single formula covers all the variation across the American population. The Devine formula was built around male clinical patients from the 1970s. The Hamwi formula reflects diabetic care data from the 1960s. Each has blind spots related to body type, ethnicity, and frame size.
When this ideal weight calculator runs all four formulas and averages the results, it smooths out those individual limitations. You get a healthy weight range that reflects more of the clinical evidence rather than the assumptions of one researcher from one era. More data points always produce a more trustworthy answer.
The comparison table above shows you each formula’s output individually so you can see the full spread, not just the average. That spread is your formula range, and your real ideal weight sits somewhere inside it.
BMI Explained: The USA Healthy Range Chart
BMI (Body Mass Index) is the most widely used weight screening tool in the United States, endorsed by both the CDC and WHO. It measures your weight relative to your height and produces a single score that places you in a standardized health category.
Formula for American users: BMI = (weight in lbs x 703) divided by height in inches squared
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is the recognized healthy weight range for adults 20 and older. This calculator uses that range to display a BMI-based healthy weight window alongside your four formula results. Per the NHLBI guidelines, adults with a BMI above 25 are considered overweight and above 30 are classified as obese.
BMI Healthy Weight Chart (USA Adults, WHO/CDC Standard)
| BMI Range | Weight Category | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Nutritional deficiency risk. Doctor review advised. |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Normal / Healthy Weight | Lowest risk for weight-related conditions. |
| 25.0 to 29.9 | Overweight | Increased risk. Lifestyle review recommended. |
| 30.0 to 34.9 | Obese Class I | High risk. Medical consultation strongly advised. |
| 35.0 and above | Obese Class II / III | Very high risk. Immediate medical guidance needed. |
| Source: WHO BMI Classification and CDC Adult BMI Guidelines. Applies to adults aged 20 and older. BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat. Use alongside clinical formula results. | ||
Important note: BMI does not separate muscle from fat. A muscular athlete may show an “overweight” BMI while carrying very little body fat. Use BMI as one data point alongside the four clinical formulas and the Waist-to-Height Ratio, not as a standalone verdict on your health. The NHLBI makes this same recommendation.
Waist-to-Height Ratio: A Smarter Health Check
BMI tells you whether your total body weight is proportionate to your height, but it does not show where that weight is distributed. Fat stored around the abdomen, known as central fat, is more strongly linked to conditions like cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes than overall body weight.
The Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) helps address this limitation. It is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your height using the same unit. A WHtR of 0.5 or lower is generally associated with lower health risk, while values above 0.5 indicate higher central fat levels.
Research led by Margaret Ashwell, published in Obesity Reviews (2012), found that WHtR is a more reliable predictor of cardiometabolic risk than BMI or waist circumference alone.
Additional evidence supporting the 0.5 boundary value comes from a systematic review published in Nutrition Research Reviews (2010).
This calculator includes WHtR as an optional input. If you enter your waist measurement along with your height and weight, you will receive an additional independent health insight. If you skip it, the calculator still provides a complete ideal weight result.
Height Adjustment for Users Under 5 Feet
All four formulas use 5 feet (152.4 cm) as their mathematical baseline. They add a fixed amount per inch above that point. For anyone at or above 5 feet, the math works cleanly and predictably.
Below 5 feet, the standard formula math breaks down and produces unreliable numbers. Many calculators silently display inaccurate results for shorter users with no warning at all.
This tool solves that problem by switching to an adjusted BMI midpoint method for users under 5 feet. It calculates the weight that corresponds to a BMI of 21.7 (the midpoint of the healthy range) at that specific height. This directly improves accuracy for users under 5 feet, which includes millions of American women and individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds with shorter average heights.
How to Use This Calculator
Getting your ideal weight for height result takes under 60 seconds.
- Select your unit system: Metric (kg and cm) or US Units (lbs and feet).
- Select your gender for formula accuracy.
- Enter your age.
- Enter your height in feet and inches or centimeters.
- Enter your current weight in pounds or kilograms.
- Select your body frame size: Small, Medium, or Large. Wrap your fingers around your wrist to check. Fingers overlap = Small. Fingers just touch = Medium. A gap between your fingers = Large.
- Optionally enter your waist circumference to unlock your Waist-to-Height Ratio result.
- Click Calculate to see your full results instantly.
No account needed. No email required. No data stored. Everything runs locally in your browser.
Real-World Examples: Healthy Weight for Men and Women
| Formula | Result (kg) | Result (lbs) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamwi (1964) | 75.5 kg | 166.5 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Devine (1974) | 73.0 kg | 161.0 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robinson (1983) | 71.0 kg | 156.5 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miller (1983) | 70.3 kg | 155.0 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BMI Range (18.5 to 24.9) | 58.5 to 78.7 kg | 129 to 174 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4-Formula Average | 72.5 kg | 159.7 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamwi shown at medium frame baseline. All values mathematically verified per original formula sources. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Healthy weight for men at 5 feet 10 inches sits between approximately 155 to 165 lbs depending on body frame and muscle mass. All values mathematically verified.
| Formula | Result (kg) | Result (lbs) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamwi (1964) | 54.4 kg | 120.0 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Devine (1974) | 54.7 kg | 120.6 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robinson (1983) | 55.8 kg | 123.0 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miller (1983) | 58.5 kg | 129.0 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BMI Range (18.5 to 24.9) | 48.9 to 65.8 kg | 108 to 145 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4-Formula Average | 55.9 kg | 123.2 lbs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hamwi shown at medium frame baseline. All values mathematically verified per original formula sources. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Healthy weight for women at 5 feet 4 inches sits between approximately 120 to 129 lbs depending on body frame and muscle mass. All values mathematically verified.
Healthy Weight for Women in the USA: Quick Reference
| Height (Women) | Healthy Weight (lbs) | Healthy Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) | 95 to 127 lbs | 43.0 to 57.8 kg |
| 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) | 101 to 136 lbs | 45.9 to 61.8 kg |
| 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) | 108 to 145 lbs | 48.9 to 65.8 kg |
| 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | 115 to 154 lbs | 52.0 to 70.0 kg |
| 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | 122 to 164 lbs | 55.2 to 74.3 kg |
| 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | 129 to 174 lbs | 58.5 to 78.7 kg |
| Based on WHO/CDC healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. For men at the same heights, add 3 to 5 lbs to both ends of the range. All values mathematically verified. Source: BellyZero’s Smart BMI calculator. | ||
Benefits of Using This Ideal Weight Calculator
- Instant, formula-backed results. No guesswork, no waiting, no appointment.
- 4 medical formulas averaged. Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller working together for a more reliable answer than any single formula alone.
- Body frame size adjustment. Small, Medium, and Large frame options apply a clinically grounded adjustment to your result, something most free calculators skip entirely.
- Age-adjusted results. Accounts for the natural shift in body composition across decades that fixed formulas ignore.
- BMI healthy range included. See your current BMI category plotted on a color-coded scale alongside your target range.
- Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR). A second, independent cardiovascular health indicator that goes beyond BMI.
- Goal timeline with calorie target. Know not just where you are going but exactly how long it will take and how many calories per day to get there.
- Downloadable PDF report with unique ID. A complete medical-style summary you can save, print, or bring to a healthcare appointment.
- Adjusted for users under 5 feet. More accurate than calculators that silently ignore shorter heights.
- Works in imperial and metric. Pounds and feet for American users; kg and cm available too.
- No account or email required. Your data stays on your screen only.
Frequently Asked Questions
For informational and educational purposes only. All content on BellyZero, including articles, calculators, health tools, templates, and recipes, is intended to provide general health information. It does not constitute medical advice, a clinical diagnosis, or a substitute for professional healthcare guidance.
Results generated by BellyZero calculators and tools are estimates based on population-level formulas and standard reference ranges. They do not account for your full medical history, individual physiology, existing health conditions, or medications. Results may not apply to pregnant women, children, competitive athletes, or individuals with chronic illness.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or health regimen based on anything found on this website. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek medical attention promptly. BellyZero does not accept liability for decisions made based on content published on this site.
Written By: Vikas Arora Updated: April 2026