What is ideal body weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight considered healthy for a given height and gender. Originally developed for clinical purposes — such as drug dosing and tidal volume calculations — it has become a common benchmark for general health. This ideal weight calculator uses four respected clinical formulas and averages them for the most balanced estimate.
It's important to understand that ideal weight is a guideline, not a strict target. Factors like muscle mass, frame size, age, and body fat distribution all influence what a truly healthy weight is for you individually.
The 4 ideal weight formulas
Each formula estimates ideal weight differently. All use height in inches, with 5 feet (60 inches) as the baseline:
Devine Formula (1974)
Male: 50 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5' | Female: 45.5 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5'
Most widely used in clinical settings. Originally designed for drug dosing calculations.
Robinson Formula (1983)
Male: 52 + 1.9 kg per inch over 5' | Female: 49 + 1.7 kg per inch over 5'
A modification of the Devine formula based on Metropolitan Life Insurance data.
Miller Formula (1983)
Male: 56.2 + 1.41 kg per inch over 5' | Female: 53.1 + 1.36 kg per inch over 5'
Tends to give higher estimates for shorter people and lower estimates for taller people.
Hamwi Formula (1964)
Male: 48 + 2.7 kg per inch over 5' | Female: 45.4 + 2.2 kg per inch over 5'
The oldest formula. Gives the widest spread between short and tall individuals.
Ideal weight by height (full table)
This comprehensive table shows the ideal weight range for every height from 4'10" to 6'6", for both men and women. Ranges represent the spread across all four formulas. Wondering what the normal weight for a 6'2 male is? Find it below — along with the weight for a 5'2 woman and every other height.
| Height | Male (lbs) | Female (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 106–124 | 100–117 |
| 4'11" | 106–124 | 100–117 |
| 5'0" | 106–124 | 100–117 |
| 5'1" | 112–127 | 105–120 |
| 5'2" | 118–130 | 110–123 |
| 5'3" | 124–133 | 115–126 |
| 5'4" | 130–136 | 120–129 |
| 5'5" | 136–139 | 124–132 |
| 5'6" | 140–143 | 129–135 |
| 5'7" | 144–148 | 134–138 |
| 5'8" | 148–153 | 138–141 |
| 5'9" | 152–159 | 142–146 |
| 5'10" | 155–165 | 146–151 |
| 5'11" | 158–171 | 149–156 |
| 6'0" | 161–177 | 153–161 |
| 6'1" | 164–183 | 156–166 |
| 6'2" | 167–189 | 159–171 |
| 6'3" | 171–195 | 162–176 |
| 6'4" | 174–201 | 165–181 |
| 6'5" | 177–207 | 168–187 |
| 6'6" | 180–213 | 171–192 |
A healthy weight for a 5'2 woman is 99–120 lbs based on ideal weight formulas. Normal 5'3 female weight ranges from 104–125 lbs. Appropriate weight for 5'6: 130–153 lbs (male) or 125–147 lbs (female).
Average 5'9 male weight by ideal weight formulas is 139–162 lbs. Healthy weight for a 5'10 male: 139–167 lbs. 5'11 male weight ideal range: 144–173 lbs.
Average weight for 6'1 male: 149–183 lbs. Normal weight for a 6'2 male: 153–189 lbs. 6'2 ideal weight male: approximately 160–175 lbs for an athletic build. Average weight for 6'3 male: 158–195 lbs.
Body fat percentage chart
While ideal weight and BMI focus on total weight, a body fat chart shows what proportion of your weight is fat vs. lean tissue:
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2–5% | 10–13% |
| Athletes | 6–13% | 14–20% |
| Fitness | 14–17% | 21–24% |
| Average (healthy) | 18–24% | 25–31% |
| Obese | 25%+ | 32%+ |
Two people at the same ideal weight can have very different body fat percentages. Combining your ideal weight target with body fat analysis provides the most complete health picture.
BMI vs. ideal weight
BMI
A ratio of weight to height (weight ÷ height²). Gives you a category — underweight, normal, overweight, obese. Same formula for men and women. Simple but doesn't account for body composition.
Ideal Weight
Formulas that give a specific target weight in pounds/kg. Gender-specific. Multiple formulas provide a range rather than a single number. Used clinically for drug dosing and nutritional planning.
Recommendation: Use both. Check your BMI for a quick category check, then use this ideal weight calculator for a more specific target. For the most complete picture, also consider body fat percentage and waist circumference.
Frame size impact
Frame size significantly affects your ideal weight. A person with a large frame naturally carries more bone and muscle mass:
| Frame Size | Adjustment | How to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Small | −10% | Thumb & middle finger overlap around wrist |
| Medium | No adjustment | Thumb & middle finger just touch |
| Large | +10% | Thumb & middle finger don't touch |
Select your frame size in the calculator above to see your adjusted ideal weight. The wrist test is a quick approximation — more precise methods use elbow breadth measurements.
Limitations
- Designed for adults only. These formulas are not appropriate for children or adolescents.
- Don't account for muscle mass. Athletes and bodybuilders will exceed ideal weight while being very healthy.
- Based on population averages. Individual variation is significant — genetics, ethnicity, and body composition all matter.
- Originally developed for clinical use. Drug dosing and tidal volume calculations, not fitness goals.
- Less accurate at extremes. Very short or very tall individuals may find the estimates less reliable.
FAQs
What is ideal body weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight considered healthy for a given height and gender. It's calculated using clinical formulas developed for medical dosing and nutritional assessment. The four most common formulas — Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — each produce slightly different results. IBW is a useful guideline, but actual healthy weight depends on body composition, frame size, and overall fitness.
How do you calculate ideal weight?
The most widely used formula is the Devine formula: Men = 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet; Women = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. For a more rounded estimate, average the results from all four formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi). This calculator does that automatically and shows you the range across all methods.
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
No single formula is definitively 'most accurate' because ideal weight varies by body composition, frame size, and muscle mass. The Devine formula is the most widely used in clinical settings (especially for drug dosing). The Robinson formula tends to give slightly lower estimates for tall individuals. For a general health assessment, using the average of all four formulas — as this calculator does — provides the most balanced estimate.
Does frame size affect ideal weight?
Yes — frame size matters. A person with a large frame naturally carries more bone and muscle mass, so their ideal weight is higher than someone of the same height with a small frame. A common adjustment is ±10%: subtract 10% for a small frame, add 10% for a large frame. You can estimate frame size by wrapping your thumb and middle finger around your wrist — if they overlap, you have a small frame; if they just touch, medium; if they don't touch, large.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'10 male?
For a 5'10" male, the ideal weight ranges from approximately 139 to 167 lbs depending on the formula used. The Devine formula gives 166 lbs, Robinson gives 155 lbs, Miller gives 156 lbs, and Hamwi gives 167 lbs. The average across all four is about 161 lbs. The healthy BMI weight range for 5'10" is 132–178 lbs.
What is a healthy weight for a 5'6 female?
A healthy weight for a 5'6" female ranges from approximately 130 to 147 lbs based on ideal weight formulas. The healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) for 5'6" is 115–155 lbs. If you have a small frame, aim for the lower end; larger frame, the higher end. Body fat percentage in the 21–31% range for women is considered healthy.
What is the difference between ideal weight and BMI?
Ideal weight formulas estimate a specific target weight for your height and gender. BMI (Body Mass Index) is a ratio of weight to height that categorizes you into ranges (underweight, normal, overweight, obese). BMI doesn't give you a target — it tells you where your current weight falls. Both are screening tools with limitations; neither accounts for muscle mass, body fat distribution, or frame size.
Does age affect ideal weight?
The standard ideal weight formulas don't account for age, but body composition changes as you age. After 30, adults tend to lose muscle and gain fat, even at the same weight. Some research suggests that slightly higher BMIs (25–27) may be associated with lower mortality in adults over 65. For older adults, maintaining muscle mass through exercise is more important than hitting a specific number on the scale.
Is BMI or ideal weight better?
Neither is inherently better — they serve different purposes. BMI is simpler (just height and weight) and widely used in epidemiology and public health. Ideal weight provides a specific target to aim for. For the most complete picture, use both alongside body fat percentage and waist circumference. Use our BMI calculator for your BMI category and this calculator for your ideal weight target.
How do I reach my ideal weight?
A safe rate of weight loss is 1–2 lbs per week through a caloric deficit of 500–1,000 calories/day. Focus on whole foods, adequate protein (0.7–1g per lb of body weight), and 150+ minutes of moderate exercise per week. Strength training helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss. Avoid crash diets — they lead to muscle loss and metabolic slowdown. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any weight loss program.