Ideal Body Weight Calculator - Calculate Your Healthy Weight Range
Calculate your ideal body weight using the Devine, Robinson, Miller, or Hamwi formulas based on your height and gender for health and fitness planning
Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Your Ideal Weight Results
What is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is a calculated weight range that is considered optimal for a person's height and gender. Originally developed for medical purposes like drug dosing, IBW is now commonly used as a general health reference.
IBW represents:
- A weight associated with maximum life expectancy
- Minimal risk of weight-related health problems
- A reference point for medical treatments and procedures
- A guideline for nutritional and fitness planning
How Ideal Body Weight Calculator Works
We use four established formulas to calculate IBW:
Male: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Male: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
Male: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet
Male: 48.0 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet
Understanding IBW Formulas
Devine Formula
Most widely used, originally for drug dosing calculations.
Robinson Formula
Based on data from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
How to Use This IBW Calculator
Choose Units
Select metric (kg/cm) or imperial (lbs/in) units
Enter Height
Input your height accurately in the selected units
Select Gender
Choose your gender for accurate calculations
Get Results
View your ideal weight calculated by four formulas
Benefits of Knowing Your Ideal Body Weight
- • Medical Reference: Used by healthcare providers for drug dosing and treatment planning.
- • Fitness Planning: Helps set realistic weight goals for exercise programs.
- • Nutrition Guidance: Provides a baseline for calculating caloric and nutritional needs.
- • Health Monitoring: Serves as a reference point for tracking health changes over time.
Factors That Affect Ideal Body Weight
1. Body Frame Size
People with larger frames naturally have higher ideal weights than those with smaller frames.
2. Muscle Mass
Athletes and muscular individuals may weigh more than their IBW due to increased muscle mass.
3. Age
Ideal weight may change with age due to metabolic and body composition changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is ideal body weight?
A: Ideal body weight (IBW) is a weight range that is considered healthy for a person based on their height and gender. It was originally developed for medical dosing purposes but is now used as a general health guideline. IBW represents a weight associated with maximum life expectancy and minimal health risks.
Q: How is ideal body weight calculated?
A: Ideal body weight is calculated using various formulas, with the most common being the Devine formula (1974). Other popular methods include the Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas. These formulas use height and gender as primary inputs, with some variations accounting for frame size or body type.
Q: Is ideal body weight the same as healthy weight?
A: Not necessarily. Ideal body weight is a specific calculation, while healthy weight is a broader range. The healthy weight range is typically defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, which may be wider than the IBW range. IBW is just one tool among many for assessing healthy weight.
Q: Why do different formulas give different results?
A: Different formulas were developed for different purposes and populations. The Devine formula (1974) was created for drug dosing, while others like Robinson and Hamwi were developed later with different methodologies. Each formula may produce slightly different results, which is why our calculator provides results from multiple formulas for comparison.