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Health & Body
Ideal Weight Calculator — Devine, Robinson, Miller & Hamwi (lbs)
What the classic clinical formulas — and a healthy BMI — say your weight could be
"Ideal weight" is one of the most-searched health numbers in the U.S., and it's also one of the most misunderstood. There is no single perfect number — your frame, muscle, age and body composition all matter. What this calculator gives you instead is a sensible range built from the four classic clinical formulas plus the healthy-BMI window, so you can see where you sit rather than chase one magic figure.
All four formulas work the same way: they set a base weight at 5 feet (60 inches) of height and then add a fixed amount per inch above 5 ft. They differ only in those two constants and by sex. Working in kilograms first (then converting to pounds):
- Devine (1974): Men 50 kg + 2.3 kg/in over 5 ft; Women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/in.
- Robinson (1983): Men 52 kg + 1.9 kg/in; Women 49 kg + 1.7 kg/in.
- Miller (1983): Men 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/in; Women 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/in.
- Hamwi (1964): Men 48 kg + 2.7 kg/in; Women 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg/in.
Worked example — a 5 ft 10 in man (10 inches over 5 ft): Devine = 50 + (2.3 × 10) = 73 kg ≈ 161 lb. Robinson = 52 + (1.9 × 10) = 71 kg ≈ 156 lb. Miller = 56.2 + (1.41 × 10) = 70.3 kg ≈ 155 lb. Hamwi = 48 + (2.7 × 10) = 75 kg ≈ 165 lb. So the four-formula band is roughly 155–165 lb for that height — a range, not a verdict.
We also show the healthy-BMI weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) for your height, which for most people is the widest and most forgiving band. For 5 ft 10 in that's about 129–174 lb.
The common mistake: treating one formula's output as a hard target. These equations were built decades ago — mostly to dose medication, not to define beauty or fitness — and they tend to ignore your build entirely. A muscular athlete can sit well above their "ideal" weight and be perfectly healthy.
This tool is informational only — it is not medical advice. Use it as a rough orientation, not a diagnosis. For a real assessment of a healthy weight for you, talk with a doctor or registered dietitian who can account for your frame, muscle and overall health.
Calculator
Fill in the fields and click "Calculate" for instant results.
📰 Formula
• Height over 5 ft (in) = total height(in) − 60 • Devine (kg): men 50 + 2.3 × inchesOver5ft; women 45.5 + 2.3 × inchesOver5ft • Robinson (kg): men 52 + 1.9 × inchesOver5ft; women 49 + 1.7 × inchesOver5ft • Miller (kg): men 56.2 + 1.41 × inchesOver5ft; women 53.1 + 1.36 × inchesOver5ft • Hamwi (kg): men 48 + 2.7 × inchesOver5ft; women 45.5 + 2.2 × inchesOver5ft • Convert kg → lb: lb = kg ÷ 0.45359237 • Healthy BMI range (lb) = 18.5–24.9 × height(in)² ÷ 703
📰 Formula
• Height over 5 ft (in) = total height(in) − 60 • Devine (kg): men 50 + 2.3 × inchesOver5ft; women 45.5 + 2.3 × inchesOver5ft • Robinson (kg): men 52 + 1.9 × inchesOver5ft; women 49 + 1.7 × inchesOver5ft • Miller (kg): men 56.2 + 1.41 × inchesOver5ft; women 53.1 + 1.36 × inchesOver5ft • Hamwi (kg): men 48 + 2.7 × inchesOver5ft; women 45.5 + 2.2 × inchesOver5ft • Convert kg → lb: lb = kg ÷ 0.45359237 • Healthy BMI range (lb) = 18.5–24.9 × height(in)² ÷ 703
🧪 Worked examples
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Example 2
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Example 3
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Example 4
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Treating one formula's number as a hard target instead of a range.
- Forgetting these formulas only add weight for height *above* 5 ft (60 in).
- Ignoring frame size and muscle — athletes often exceed their 'ideal' and are healthy.
- Mixing up the men's and women's constants (they differ in every formula).
💡 Tips
- Use the four-formula band plus the BMI range together — agreement across them is a good sign.
- Heavily muscled or large-framed people should expect to sit above these formula numbers.
- Aim for a healthy range and steady habits, not a single decimal-precise weight.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for a 5 ft 10 in man?
By the classic formulas it's roughly 155–165 lb (Devine ≈ 161, Robinson ≈ 156, Miller ≈ 155, Hamwi ≈ 165). The healthy BMI range for that height is wider, about 129–174 lb. Treat these as estimates, not a target.
What is the ideal weight for a 5 ft 4 in woman?
The formulas land around 120–129 lb (Devine ≈ 121, Robinson ≈ 123, Miller ≈ 129, Hamwi ≈ 120). The healthy BMI range for 5 ft 4 in is about 108–145 lb. Frame and muscle move this for individuals.
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
None is 'most accurate' — they were built for clinical use, mainly drug dosing, not body composition. Devine is the most widely used, but viewing all four as a range is more honest than picking one winner.
Why do the four formulas give different numbers?
They use different base weights at 5 ft and different amounts added per inch of height. Hamwi adds the most per inch, so it usually reads highest; Robinson and Miller tend to read lower.
Is ideal body weight the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly. Ideal body weight is a formula estimate; a healthy weight is a personal range that depends on frame, muscle, age and health. The BMI 18.5–24.9 band is a broader healthy guide.
Does this calculator account for body frame or muscle?
No. These formulas use only height and sex. Large-framed or muscular people will often weigh more than the formula 'ideal' while still being healthy, which is a known limitation.
How is ideal weight calculated for height under 5 feet?
The classic formulas are defined for heights of 5 ft and up — they add weight only for inches above 60. For shorter heights, the BMI healthy range is the more reliable guide, and you should consult a professional.
Should I use this number to set a weight-loss goal?
Use it as a ballpark only. It's informational, not medical advice. A doctor or registered dietitian can set a safe, personalized goal based on your full health picture — that's the right basis for any plan.
Why is my BMI healthy range wider than the formula numbers?
The BMI band spans 18.5 to 24.9, which covers a large weight spread at any height. The formulas aim at a single point, so they naturally fall inside that wider healthy window.