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For adults (20+). Not intended for children or teenagers.

Ideal Weight Calculator

Calculate reference body weight estimates based on commonly used height-based clinical formulas and compare with the standard adult BMI 18.5–24.9 weight range.

Biological Sex
Unit System
cm
cm
kg
kg
⚙️ Optional adjustments (Frame size)Standard (0%)
Skeletal Body Frame Size

Context note: The ±10% frame adjustment comes from traditional Metropolitan Life height–weight tables. It is an optional adjustment used by this calculator, not part of the original Devine, Robinson, Miller, or Hamwi formulas. Frame size does not alter the BMI-based range.

Enter your height above to see your estimated reference weight.

Ideal Weight by Height Reference Charts

Use these reference charts to look up reference weights by height for adult women and men. Values show the Formula Average (arithmetic mean of Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas) alongside the standard BMI-based weight range (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) in kilograms (kg) and pounds (lbs).

♀ Reference Weight Chart for Women

HeightFormula AverageBMI 18.5–24.9 Reference Range
4'10" (147 cm)44.4 kg (98 lbs)40–53.8 kg (88–119 lbs)
4'11" (150 cm)46.6 kg (103 lbs)41.6–56 kg (92–124 lbs)
5'0" (152 cm)48.1 kg (106 lbs)42.7–57.5 kg (94–127 lbs)
5'1" (155 cm)50.3 kg (111 lbs)44.4–59.8 kg (98–132 lbs)
5'2" (157 cm)51.8 kg (114 lbs)45.6–61.4 kg (101–135 lbs)
5'3" (160 cm)54 kg (119 lbs)47.4–63.7 kg (105–140 lbs)
5'4" (163 cm)56.3 kg (124 lbs)49.2–66.2 kg (109–146 lbs)
5'5" (165 cm)57.7 kg (127 lbs)50.4–67.8 kg (111–150 lbs)
5'6" (168 cm)60 kg (132 lbs)52.2–70.3 kg (115–155 lbs)
5'7" (170 cm)61.4 kg (135 lbs)53.5–72 kg (118–159 lbs)
5'8" (173 cm)63.7 kg (140 lbs)55.4–74.5 kg (122–164 lbs)
5'9" (175 cm)65.2 kg (144 lbs)56.7–76.3 kg (125–168 lbs)
5'10" (178 cm)67.4 kg (149 lbs)58.6–78.9 kg (129–174 lbs)
5'11" (180 cm)68.9 kg (152 lbs)59.9–80.7 kg (132–178 lbs)
6'0" (183 cm)71.1 kg (157 lbs)62–83.4 kg (137–184 lbs)
6'1" (185 cm)72.6 kg (160 lbs)63.3–85.2 kg (140–188 lbs)
6'2" (188 cm)74.8 kg (165 lbs)65.4–88 kg (144–194 lbs)

♂ Reference Weight Chart for Men

HeightFormula AverageBMI 18.5–24.9 Reference Range
5'2" (157 cm)55.4 kg (122 lbs)45.6–61.4 kg (101–135 lbs)
5'3" (160 cm)57.9 kg (128 lbs)47.4–63.7 kg (105–140 lbs)
5'4" (163 cm)60.3 kg (133 lbs)49.2–66.2 kg (109–146 lbs)
5'5" (165 cm)61.9 kg (137 lbs)50.4–67.8 kg (111–150 lbs)
5'6" (168 cm)64.4 kg (142 lbs)52.2–70.3 kg (115–155 lbs)
5'7" (170 cm)66 kg (146 lbs)53.5–72 kg (118–159 lbs)
5'8" (173 cm)68.5 kg (151 lbs)55.4–74.5 kg (122–164 lbs)
5'9" (175 cm)70.1 kg (155 lbs)56.7–76.3 kg (125–168 lbs)
5'10" (178 cm)72.5 kg (160 lbs)58.6–78.9 kg (129–174 lbs)
5'11" (180 cm)74.2 kg (164 lbs)59.9–80.7 kg (132–178 lbs)
6'0" (183 cm)76.6 kg (169 lbs)62–83.4 kg (137–184 lbs)
6'1" (185 cm)78.3 kg (173 lbs)63.3–85.2 kg (140–188 lbs)
6'2" (188 cm)80.7 kg (178 lbs)65.4–88 kg (144–194 lbs)
6'3" (191 cm)83.2 kg (183 lbs)67.5–90.8 kg (149–200 lbs)
6'4" (193 cm)84.8 kg (187 lbs)68.9–92.8 kg (152–205 lbs)
6'5" (196 cm)87.2 kg (192 lbs)71.1–95.7 kg (157–211 lbs)
6'6" (198 cm)88.9 kg (196 lbs)72.5–97.6 kg (160–215 lbs)

How Are Reference Weight Formulas Calculated?

Traditional formulas establish a baseline reference weight for a 5-foot stature (60 inches or 152 cm) and add an increment for each additional inch (or centimeter) of height:

1. Devine Formula (1974)

Published in 1974 for gentamicin dosing. The most widely used formula — the default in most clinical and hospital tools.

Men: 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg/in over 5 ft

Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/in over 5 ft

2. Robinson Formula (1983)

A 1983 regression-based refinement with sex-specific slopes, giving slightly lower estimates for taller people.

Men: 52.0 kg + 1.9 kg/in over 5 ft

Women: 49.0 kg + 1.7 kg/in over 5 ft

3. Miller Formula (1983)

A 1983 refinement with the flattest slopes — usually the lowest estimate, especially at taller heights.

Men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/in over 5 ft

Women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/in over 5 ft

4. Hamwi Formula (1964)

The 1964 classic, tied to the Metropolitan Life medium-frame tables. Simple and memorable, but the steepest for tall men.

Men: 48.0 kg + 2.7 kg/in over 5 ft

Women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg/in over 5 ft

BMI Range vs. Formula Estimates

It is important to understand the conceptual difference between a single-point formula estimate and a BMI-based range:

Formula Estimates

Provide a single theoretical number based on linear height scaling. Originally developed for standardized drug dosing, they do not account for individual variations in muscle mass or body composition.

BMI-Based Weight Range (18.5–24.9)

Calculates the weight window corresponding to a standard adult Body Mass Index. This spans approximately 30 to 45 pounds, providing biological flexibility. You can calculate your exact BMI with our BMI Calculator.

Limitations for Muscular Individuals & Athletes

Because muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue, individuals with high muscle mass (such as weightlifters and athletes) often weigh more than formula estimates while maintaining low body fat and optimal cardiovascular health.

For athletic individuals, evaluating body composition provides more meaningful information than scale weight alone:

Scientific Literature & Sources

  • Devine BJ. Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1974;8:650–655. (1974). Source Reference →
  • Robinson JD, et al. Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40:1016–1019. (1983). Source Reference →
  • Miller DR, et al. Determining ideal body weight (and mass index). Am J Hosp Pharm. 1983;40:1077. (1983). Source Reference →
  • Hamwi GJ. Therapy: Changing dietary concepts. In: Diabetes Mellitus: Diagnosis and Treatment. 1964. (1964). Source Reference →
  • Pai MP, Paloucek FP. The origin of the "ideal" body weight equations. Ann Pharmacother. 2000;34(9):1066–9. (2000). Source Reference →
  • WHO / NHLBI — Body Mass Index categories and healthy weight range. (2000). Source Reference →

Frequently Asked Questions About Ideal Body Weight

What is an ideal weight calculator?
An ideal weight calculator is an anthropometric estimation tool that calculates reference body weight values based on height and biological sex. It calculates four classic mathematical equations—Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), and Hamwi (1964)—alongside the standard World Health Organization (WHO) healthy adult BMI weight range (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²).
How is ideal body weight calculated?
Traditional ideal body weight formulas use a baseline weight anchored at 5 feet (60 inches or 152 cm) and add an incremental weight per inch (or cm) of stature above 5 feet. For example, the Devine formula establishes a base of 50.0 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women, adding 2.3 kg per inch (or 0.9 kg per cm) over 5 feet.
What is my reference weight for my height?
Your reference weight depends on your height and biological sex. For instance, for a 5'4" (163 cm) female, the average of four classic formulas is approximately 56.3 kg (124 lbs), with a healthy BMI range of 49.2 to 66.2 kg (108 to 146 lbs). For a 5'10" (178 cm) male, the formula average is about 72.5 kg (160 lbs), with a BMI range of 58.6 to 78.9 kg (129 to 174 lbs).
How do I calculate reference body weight in kg and lbs?
You can calculate reference body weight in metric (kg) or imperial (lbs) units. For metric, calculate using height in centimeters over 152 cm. For imperial, calculate height in inches over 60 inches. To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.20462. Our online calculator supports both unit systems instantly.
What is the reference weight for women?
Classic ideal body weight equations estimate a lower baseline weight for women (typically 45.5 kg / 100 lbs at 5 feet) compared to men. For example, at 5'6" (168 cm), traditional formulas estimate a reference weight of approximately 59.9 kg (132 lbs) for women, while the standard adult BMI normal range spans 52.2 to 70.3 kg (115 to 155 lbs).
What is the reference weight for men?
Traditional formulas set a baseline of 48.0 to 56.2 kg at 5 feet for biological males and apply a higher per-inch increment to reflect greater average bone mineral density and lean muscle mass. For example, at 5'10" (178 cm), formula estimates for men range between 70.4 kg and 75.2 kg, with a formula average of 72.5 kg (160 lbs).
What is the difference between ideal body weight and BMI?
Ideal body weight equations yield a single point-estimate based on linear height scaling, originally developed for clinical pharmacology drug dosing. In contrast, Body Mass Index (BMI) provides a flexible reference range (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²) spanning 30 to 45 pounds, accommodating natural variations in bone thickness and muscle mass.
Does body frame size affect reference weight?
Traditional methodologies such as the Metropolitan Life Insurance tables incorporated an optional ±10% adjustment for skeletal frame size. A small frame subtracts 10% from the formula baseline, while a large frame adds 10%. Modern health organizations emphasize BMI ranges over frame adjustments because bone frame variability accounts for a modest portion of total mass.
Which reference body weight formula is most commonly used?
The Devine formula (1974) is the most widely cited equation in clinical medicine, where it is routinely used for medication dosing (such as aminoglycosides, theophylline, and anesthesia) and mechanical ventilator settings. Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas offer alternative empirical slopes.
Is an ideal weight calculator accurate for muscular people?
No. Height-based ideal body weight formulas and standard BMI do not differentiate between dense skeletal muscle mass and adipose fat tissue. Athletes, weightlifters, and bodybuilders often weigh more than their formula estimates while maintaining low body fat and excellent cardiovascular health.
How does age affect reference body weight?
Traditional IBW equations do not adjust for age. However, body composition naturally changes across the lifespan due to gradual muscle loss (sarcopenia) and bone density changes. In older adults (65+), healthcare providers often consider a slightly higher BMI (23.0–27.0 kg/m²) protective against frailty and fractures.
Why should reference weight be treated as an estimate rather than a strict medical target?
Ideal body weight formulas provide population-derived reference estimates, not individualized medical diagnoses or absolute targets. Comprehensive health depends on blood pressure, blood lipids, glycemic markers, body fat distribution, and cardiorespiratory fitness rather than scale weight alone.

Medical Disclaimer

This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for guidance specific to your situation.

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Health Fitness Calculator Team

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