Ideal Weight Calculator

What Is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal body weight is an estimated weight range associated with the lowest health risks for a given height. Unlike a single magic number, it represents a zone where chronic disease risk, including heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems, is statistically minimized. Several formulas exist to estimate ideal weight, each developed from population studies. This calculator applies the most widely used equations and shows you a range rather than a single number, because healthy weight varies with bone structure, muscle mass, age, and genetics.

Popular Ideal Weight Formulas

The Devine formula (1974) is the most commonly used in clinical settings and forms the basis of drug dosing calculations. For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. The Robinson formula (1983) produces slightly different estimates: men start at 52 kg and women at 49 kg, adding 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet. The Miller formula (1983) is more generous, and the Hamwi formula (1964) is often used in dietetics. Each formula produces a different number for the same height, which is why viewing the range across all four gives a more realistic target than any single estimate.

Ideal Weight for Women

For a woman at 5'5" (165 cm), ideal weight estimates range from approximately 119 to 136 pounds (54 to 62 kg) depending on the formula used. Women with athletic builds and significant muscle mass may weigh 10 to 20 pounds above these estimates while maintaining excellent health markers. Body frame size, small, medium, or large, also matters. A small-framed woman at a given height has a lower ideal weight than a large-framed woman at the same height. Wrist circumference is a common proxy for frame size: under 6 inches is small frame, 6 to 6.25 inches is medium, and over 6.25 inches is large frame for women between 5'2" and 5'5".

Ideal Weight for Men

For a man at 5'10" (178 cm), ideal weight estimates range from approximately 151 to 166 pounds (69 to 75 kg). Men who strength train regularly often carry 15 to 30 pounds of additional muscle mass that pushes their weight well above formula estimates without any increase in health risk. Frame size guidelines for men: wrist circumference over 7.5 inches suggests a large frame, 6.5 to 7.5 inches is medium, and under 6.5 inches is small. The key takeaway is that these formulas were developed for average body compositions: anyone with above-average muscle mass should expect to weigh more than the calculated ideal.

BMI and Ideal Weight: How They Connect

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy, and the corresponding weight range is essentially the BMI-based ideal weight range. For a 5'7" person, a healthy BMI translates to roughly 121 to 158 pounds. The ideal weight formulas described above typically land in the middle of this BMI range, around 20 to 22 BMI. Neither approach accounts for body composition, which is why combining weight goals with body fat percentage targets provides a more complete picture. A target of 15 to 20% body fat for men or 20 to 28% for women is more useful than a target weight alone.

Why There Is No Single Ideal Weight

Genetics, ethnicity, muscle mass, bone density, and body fat distribution all influence what a healthy weight looks like for you personally. Two people at the same height and weight can have very different health profiles depending on their body composition. A 170-pound person at 18% body fat has a very different risk profile than someone at 170 pounds and 35% body fat. Population-based formulas cannot capture these individual differences. Think of your ideal weight result as a reference point: useful for setting a general direction, but not the ultimate measure of your health.

Setting a Realistic Weight Goal

If your current weight is significantly above the estimated ideal range, aiming for a 5 to 10% reduction is a practical first milestone. Losing even this modest amount produces measurable improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and joint comfort. Once you reach that initial target and maintain it for a few months, you can reassess and decide whether further loss is desirable. Crash-dieting to reach a formula-derived number rarely leads to lasting results. A sustainable rate of 0.5 to 1 pound per week, achieved through a moderate calorie deficit and regular physical activity, is the approach most reliably gets you to, and keep you at, a healthy weight long-term.

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