Ideal Weight Calculator
| Formula | Ideal Weight |
|---|---|
| Robinson (1983) | 0 kg |
| Miller (1983) | 0 kg |
| Devine (1974) | 0 kg |
| Hamwi (1964) | 0 kg |
| Peterson (2016) | 0 kg |
| Date | Age | Gender | Height | Ideal Weight | BMI Range | Actions |
|---|
Find Your Ideal Weight: Complete Guide with Calculator
Discover your healthy weight range using 5 different scientific formulas and understand what they mean for your health
Finding your ideal weight isn't about achieving a perfect number, but rather discovering a healthy range that supports your overall well-being. Our Ideal Weight Calculator uses multiple scientific formulas to give you a comprehensive view of what weight range might be healthiest for your body.
In this guide, we'll explain how each formula works, what the results mean, and how to use this information to support your health journey.
What Is Ideal Weight?
Definition
Ideal weight refers to a weight range that is considered healthy for a person of specific height, age, and gender. This range is associated with the lowest risk of developing weight-related health issues.
It's important to remember that ideal weight calculations provide estimates, not absolute rules. Factors like muscle mass, bone density, and body composition also play important roles in determining what weight is truly healthy for you.
Try Our Ideal Weight Calculator
Get personalized ideal weight ranges using 5 different scientific formulas. Input your age, gender, and height to see results.
How the Calculator Works
Our calculator uses five different formulas to calculate your ideal weight. Each formula approaches the calculation slightly differently, giving you a range of estimates rather than a single number.
Personal Inputs
Enter your age, gender, and height to get personalized results. The calculator works with both metric and imperial units.
Multiple Formulas
Compare results from 5 different scientific formulas developed between 1964 and 2016.
BMI Range
See the healthy weight range based on Body Mass Index (BMI) standards.
Save & Compare
Save your calculations to track changes over time and compare different scenarios.
Understanding the Formulas
1. Robinson Formula (1983)
Formula
For men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet
For women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
Men: 52 + 1.9 × (height in inches - 60)
Women: 49 + 1.7 × (height in inches - 60)
Developed by Dr. Robinson in 1983, this formula is based on statistical analysis of healthy weight ranges. It's widely used in medical settings for quick assessments.
Example
A 5'9" (69 inch) man would calculate: 52 + 1.9 × (69 - 60) = 52 + 17.1 = 69.1 kg (152.3 lbs)
2. Miller Formula (1983)
Formula
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
Men: 56.2 + 1.41 × (height in inches - 60)
Women: 53.1 + 1.36 × (height in inches - 60)
Also developed in 1983, the Miller formula tends to give slightly higher estimates than Robinson's formula, particularly for taller individuals.
3. Devine Formula (1974)
Formula
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
Men: 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)
Women: 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)
One of the oldest formulas still in use, the Devine formula was originally developed for medical dosage calculations. It's known for giving slightly lower estimates for women.
4. Hamwi Formula (1964)
Formula
For men: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
For women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet
Men: 48 + 2.7 × (height in inches - 60)
Women: 45.5 + 2.2 × (height in inches - 60)
Developed by Dr. Hamwi in 1964, this formula was one of the first to provide a simple method for calculating ideal body weight. It's still referenced in medical literature today.
5. Peterson Formula (2016)
Formula
For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet (with age adjustment)
For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet (with age adjustment)
Base: Same as Devine formula
Age adjustment: Multiply by 0.98 if over 50, 0.97 if over 60
The most recent formula in our calculator, the Peterson formula accounts for the natural changes in body composition that occur with aging. It's the only formula in our calculator that considers age.
Understanding BMI and Healthy Weight Ranges
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It's calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²
The World Health Organization defines healthy BMI ranges as:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
- Obese: BMI 30 or greater
BMI Limitations
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI despite being very fit. Always consider body composition alongside BMI.
How to Use Your Results
Interpreting Multiple Formulas
When you get different results from different formulas, don't be concerned. This is normal and expected. Consider the range of results rather than focusing on any single number.
Setting Realistic Goals
If your current weight is outside the suggested ranges:
- Small changes: Aim for gradual weight changes of 0.5-1 kg (1-2 lbs) per week
- Focus on health: Prioritize nutritious eating and regular activity over rapid weight loss
- Consult professionals: Talk to a doctor or dietitian for personalized advice
Beyond the Scale
Remember that weight is just one indicator of health. Other factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, physical fitness, and how you feel are equally important.
Ready to Discover Your Ideal Weight Range?
Use our calculator to get personalized results based on 5 different scientific formulas.
Calculate My Ideal Weight NowFrequently Asked Questions
Different formulas were developed using different population studies and methodologies. Some formulas are based on statistical averages, while others were designed for specific medical applications. The variation is normal and expected.
No single formula is universally "most accurate" for everyone. The Peterson formula (2016) is the most recent and includes age adjustments, making it potentially more relevant for many people. However, considering the range from all formulas gives you the most comprehensive picture.
As we age, our body composition naturally changes - we tend to lose muscle mass and gain fat, even if our weight stays the same. The Peterson formula accounts for these changes by slightly adjusting the ideal weight for people over 50 and 60.
Men and women typically have different body compositions. Men generally have more muscle mass and less body fat than women of the same height and weight. The formulas account for these physiological differences.
If you have high muscle mass, these formulas might underestimate your healthy weight. Muscle weighs more than fat, so athletes often weigh more than these formulas suggest while being perfectly healthy. In such cases, body composition measurements (like body fat percentage) are more meaningful than weight alone.
Your ideal weight changes very slowly over time (mainly with age). There's no need to recalculate frequently unless you've experienced significant height changes (which typically only happen during growth periods) or want to track how the formulas change as you age.
While the calculator accepts ages 2-80, the formulas were primarily developed for adults. For children and teenagers, growth charts and pediatric BMI percentiles are more appropriate tools as they account for normal growth patterns.
The BMI range provides context for the formula results. While the formulas estimate ideal weight based on height and gender, BMI relates weight to height in a standardized way that's widely used in healthcare settings worldwide.
If your current weight is significantly outside the suggested ranges, consider consulting with a healthcare provider. They can help you understand if weight changes would benefit your health and create a safe, personalized plan if needed.
The formulas tend to be most accurate for people of average height. For very tall or very short individuals, the estimates may be less reliable. This is another reason why considering the range from multiple formulas is helpful.
These formulas are not designed for pregnancy. Weight gain during pregnancy is normal and necessary. Pregnant individuals should follow their healthcare provider's guidance about appropriate weight gain based on their pre-pregnancy weight.
Saving calculations lets you track how your ideal weight range changes over time (mainly due to aging). It also allows you to compare different scenarios, like how changing your height measurement slightly affects the results.
The calculator works with both measurement systems. Metric uses centimeters for height and kilograms for weight. Imperial uses feet/inches for height and pounds for weight. The formulas themselves were originally developed using imperial measurements.
The formulas were developed using kilograms as the standard measurement. If you prefer pounds, you can convert the results (1 kg = 2.20462 lbs). Future versions of the calculator may include an option to display results in pounds.
Absolutely! The export features (TXT, HTML, PDF) make it easy to share your results with healthcare providers. This can be helpful for discussions about weight management and overall health.