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Calculate your ideal body weight using scientifically validated formulas including Robinson, Miller, Devine, and Hamwi methods. Get personalized weight recommendations based on your height, gender, age, and body frame size.
Small: Narrow shoulders/hips. Medium: Average build. Large: Broad shoulders/hips.
Maintain Current Weight
You're within a healthy weight range. Focus on maintaining through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.
General Tips
Your ideal weight is calculated using Robinson, Miller, Devine, and Hamwi formulas - all validated by medical research.
The healthy range is based on BMI 18.5-24.9, adjusted for your frame size to give you a personalized target.
This calculator provides estimates based on mathematical formulas and should not be considered medical advice. Individual health needs vary significantly. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical guidance and before making significant changes to diet or exercise.
Last Updated: December 24, 2024
Based on: Robinson (1983), Miller (1983), Devine (1974), Hamwi (1964) formulas
Purpose: Educational estimation tool only
This tool is designed for informational purposes. It does not replace professional medical assessment or diagnosis.
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight range calculated using mathematical formulas based on height and gender. These formulas were developed through clinical research to provide general guidelines. However, IBW calculations have significant limitations—they don't account for muscle mass, bone density, body composition, age, or individual health conditions. IBW should be viewed as one reference point among many health metrics, not as a definitive target.
This calculator uses four established formulas to estimate ideal weight:
Additionally, the calculator shows a weight range based on BMI 18.5-24.9, which is the range often associated with lower health risks according to population studies. However, BMI also has limitations and may not be appropriate for all individuals, particularly athletes, older adults, or those with high muscle mass.
Body frame size refers to skeletal structure. People with larger frames may naturally weigh more due to heavier bones and broader structure. Frame size can be roughly estimated using wrist circumference or the wrist test (wrapping thumb and finger around wrist). This calculator adjusts estimates by approximately ±10% based on frame size, but this adjustment is an approximation and may not be accurate for all individuals.
Both BMI and ideal weight formulas have significant limitations. They don't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, which means muscular individuals may be classified as overweight despite being healthy. They also don't account for fat distribution, which affects health risk. Body composition analysis (measuring body fat percentage and lean mass) provides more detailed information about health status than weight alone.
Health is multifaceted and cannot be determined by weight alone. Other important factors include cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health markers (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol), strength, flexibility, mental health, and overall lifestyle habits.
If you're considering weight changes, gradual approaches are generally safer and more sustainable:
Any significant weight change plan should be developed with healthcare professionals who can monitor your health, consider your medical history, and adjust recommendations based on your individual needs and response.
Professional medical guidance is important for weight management, especially if:
Healthcare providers such as physicians, registered dietitians, and certified nutritionists can provide personalized assessment and recommendations based on your complete health picture, not just weight calculations.
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated optimal weight range for your height and gender that may help minimize certain health risks. It's calculated using formulas like Robinson, Miller, Devine, and Hamwi. However, IBW is just one metric and doesn't account for individual factors like muscle mass, bone density, or overall health status.
Ideal weight is calculated using established formulas: Robinson Formula (52kg + 1.9kg per inch over 5ft for men, 49kg + 1.7kg for women), Miller Formula (56.2kg + 1.41kg per inch for men, 53.1kg + 1.36kg for women), Devine Formula (50kg + 2.3kg per inch for men, 45.5kg + 2.3kg for women), and Hamwi Formula (48kg + 2.7kg per inch for men, 45.5kg + 2.2kg for women). These formulas were developed through clinical research but have limitations.
No single formula is universally accurate for everyone. The Robinson Formula (1983) is commonly referenced in medical literature, but all formulas have limitations. They don't account for muscle mass, bone density, body composition, or individual health conditions. These calculators provide estimates only and should not replace professional medical assessment.
Ideal weight refers to specific formula-based calculations that estimate a target weight. Healthy weight is typically defined as a BMI range of 18.5-24.9, which provides a broader range. Neither metric is perfect—BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, and ideal weight formulas don't account for body composition. A healthy weight varies significantly between individuals.
Frame size can influence what weight range may be appropriate for an individual. People with larger skeletal frames may naturally weigh more than those with smaller frames at the same height. Frame size can be estimated by wrist circumference: for men, <16.5cm suggests small frame, 16.5-19cm medium, >19cm large. For women, <14cm small, 14-16.5cm medium, >16.5cm large. However, this is a rough estimate.
A common method is the wrist test: wrap your thumb and middle finger around your wrist. If they overlap significantly, you may have a small frame; if they just touch, medium frame; if they don't meet, large frame. Alternatively, measure wrist circumference. However, frame size estimation is imprecise and should be considered alongside other health metrics and professional medical evaluation.
Neither BMI nor ideal weight formulas are perfectly accurate for all individuals. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, which can misclassify muscular individuals. Ideal weight formulas provide gender and height-specific estimates but also ignore body composition. Both are screening tools, not diagnostic measures. Body composition analysis and medical evaluation provide more complete health assessment.
Healthy weight varies by individual. The BMI range of 18.5-24.9 is often used as a general guideline. For example, someone 170cm tall might have a healthy range of approximately 53-72kg, but this doesn't account for muscle mass, age, or health status. What's healthy for one person may not be for another. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized assessment.
Weight considerations may change with age due to natural changes in muscle mass, bone density, and metabolism. Some research suggests slightly higher BMI ranges may be acceptable for older adults, though this is debated. The formulas themselves don't adjust for age. Maintaining muscle mass through appropriate exercise and nutrition becomes increasingly important with age. Discuss age-appropriate weight goals with your doctor.
Safe weight change rates are generally considered to be 0.5-1kg (1-2 lbs) per week for weight loss, and slower for weight gain. However, appropriate timelines vary greatly by individual circumstances, starting weight, and health status. Rapid weight changes can have health risks. Any significant weight change plan should be developed with healthcare professionals who can monitor your health and adjust recommendations.
Ideal weight formulas and BMI don't account for muscle mass. Athletes and individuals with high muscle mass may exceed calculated ideal weight ranges while being perfectly healthy. For these individuals, body composition analysis (body fat percentage, lean mass) provides more relevant information than weight-based calculations. Consult sports medicine professionals or registered dietitians for appropriate assessment.
There's no universal answer—appropriate weight varies by individual factors including body composition, health status, activity level, and medical history. Some people feel and function best at different points within healthy ranges. Rather than targeting a specific number, focus on overall health markers, energy levels, and sustainable lifestyle habits. Work with healthcare providers to determine what's appropriate for your specific situation.