Ideal Weight Calculator
Find out your ideal body weight using four proven medical formulas — Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller — plus your healthy BMI weight range adjusted for your body frame size.
Units & Height
Personal Details
How to Use the Ideal Weight Calculator
- 1
Select your unit system and enter your height. Then select your gender — the formulas use different calculations for men and women based on average body composition differences.
- 2
Select your body frame size. A quick way to estimate your frame is to wrap your thumb and index finger around your wrist — if they overlap you likely have a small frame, if they just touch a medium frame, and if they do not reach a large frame.
- 3
Optionally enter your current weight to see exactly how far you are above or below your ideal weight range.
- 4
Click Calculate to see your ideal weight from four different medical formulas, the average recommendation, and your healthy BMI weight range adjusted for your frame size. Download the free PDF to keep as a reference.
Example Calculation
Scenario: Male | Height 5ft 10in (70 inches) | Medium Frame
- Hamwi: 166.0 lbs (75.3 kg)
- Devine: 160.9 lbs (73.0 kg)
- Robinson: 156.5 lbs (71.0 kg)
- Miller: 155.0 lbs (70.3 kg)
- Average: 159.6 lbs (72.4 kg)
- Small Frame: 143.7 lbs
- Large Frame: 175.6 lbs
- Healthy BMI Range: 128.9 to 173.5 lbs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most accurate ideal weight formula?
No single formula is perfect for everyone. The Devine formula is most commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing calculations. The Hamwi formula is widely used by dietitians. The Robinson and Miller formulas were developed later and tend to give slightly lower estimates. Using the average of all four provides the most balanced estimate. However ideal weight formulas do not account for body composition — a muscular athlete will weigh more than these formulas suggest while still being healthier than someone at the formula target weight with high body fat.
How does body frame size affect ideal weight?
Body frame size refers to the size of your skeletal structure — primarily bone density and width. People with larger frames naturally weigh more than people with smaller frames at the same height even when both are equally lean and healthy. A large-framed man at 5 feet 10 inches might have an ideal weight 10% to 15% higher than a small-framed man of the same height. The wrist circumference test is a simple way to estimate frame size without special equipment.
Should I use ideal weight or BMI as my target?
Both have limitations. Ideal weight formulas provide a single target number adjusted for height and gender. BMI provides a range that accounts for more variation in body composition. For most people aiming to be within the healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9 is more practical than hitting a specific ideal weight formula target. Neither accounts well for highly muscular individuals. Body fat percentage is arguably the most meaningful measure of health-related body composition.
Is the ideal weight the same for men and women of the same height?
No — men and women have different ideal weights at the same height due to differences in average muscle mass bone density and body fat distribution. All four formulas in this calculator use gender-specific equations. For example at 5 feet 6 inches the Devine formula gives an ideal weight of approximately 143 lbs for men and 130 lbs for women — a difference of about 13 lbs.
What if I weigh less than my ideal weight?
Being underweight — having a BMI below 18.5 — carries health risks including nutritional deficiencies weakened immune function bone loss and in severe cases organ damage. If you are significantly below the ideal weight range a doctor can assess whether this is due to high muscle mass and low fat (healthy) or low overall body mass (potentially concerning). If you are trying to gain weight focus on increasing calorie intake through nutrient-dense foods and resistance training to build muscle mass rather than just fat.
Disclaimer: This report is generated for informational purposes only. TheCalcTool is not a licensed medical professional. Ideal weight formulas provide general estimates and may not account for individual factors such as muscle mass bone density ethnicity and age. These formulas were developed for clinical use and should not be used as the sole measure of health or fitness goals. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized weight and health guidance.