How is ideal weight calculated?
Several classic formulas estimate ideal body weight from height and gender. They were originally created for medication dosing, so they're useful reference points rather than absolute goals:
- Devine: Men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft; Women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft
- Robinson, Miller, Hamwi: slight variations on the same idea
We also show the range that corresponds to a healthy BMI of 18.5–24.9, which is the most widely used definition of a healthy weight.
Ideal weight chart by height
The ideal weight shown is the average of the four formulas above (Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi) — the same figure the calculator gives. The last column is the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9), which is the wider and more useful target for most people.
| Height | Women | Men | Healthy range (BMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 0″ (152 cm) | 106 lb (48.3 kg) | 114 lb (51.6 kg) | 95–127 lb |
| 5′ 1″ (155 cm) | 111 lb (50.2 kg) | 118 lb (53.6 kg) | 98–132 lb |
| 5′ 2″ (157 cm) | 115 lb (52.1 kg) | 123 lb (55.7 kg) | 101–136 lb |
| 5′ 3″ (160 cm) | 119 lb (53.9 kg) | 127 lb (57.8 kg) | 104–141 lb |
| 5′ 4″ (163 cm) | 123 lb (55.8 kg) | 132 lb (59.9 kg) | 108–145 lb |
| 5′ 5″ (165 cm) | 127 lb (57.7 kg) | 137 lb (61.9 kg) | 111–150 lb |
| 5′ 6″ (168 cm) | 131 lb (59.6 kg) | 141 lb (64 kg) | 115–154 lb |
| 5′ 7″ (170 cm) | 136 lb (61.5 kg) | 146 lb (66.1 kg) | 118–159 lb |
| 5′ 8″ (173 cm) | 140 lb (63.4 kg) | 150 lb (68.2 kg) | 122–164 lb |
| 5′ 9″ (175 cm) | 144 lb (65.3 kg) | 155 lb (70.2 kg) | 125–169 lb |
| 5′ 10″ (178 cm) | 148 lb (67.2 kg) | 159 lb (72.3 kg) | 129–174 lb |
| 5′ 11″ (180 cm) | 152 lb (69.1 kg) | 164 lb (74.4 kg) | 133–179 lb |
| 6′ 0″ (183 cm) | 156 lb (71 kg) | 169 lb (76.5 kg) | 136–184 lb |
| 6′ 1″ (185 cm) | 161 lb (72.8 kg) | 173 lb (78.6 kg) | 140–189 lb |
| 6′ 2″ (188 cm) | 165 lb (74.7 kg) | 178 lb (80.6 kg) | 144–194 lb |
| 6′ 3″ (191 cm) | 169 lb (76.6 kg) | 182 lb (82.7 kg) | 148–199 lb |
| 6′ 4″ (193 cm) | 173 lb (78.5 kg) | 187 lb (84.8 kg) | 152–205 lb |
| 6′ 5″ (196 cm) | 177 lb (80.4 kg) | 192 lb (86.9 kg) | 156–210 lb |
| 6′ 6″ (198 cm) | 181 lb (82.3 kg) | 196 lb (88.9 kg) | 160–215 lb |
What's my ideal weight?
It depends mainly on your height and sex. For a 5′4″ woman the formulas average about 123 lb (55.8 kg); for a 5′10″ man, about 159 lb (72.3 kg). Find your height in the chart above, or enter it in the calculator for an exact figure.
What is the ideal weight for a 6 foot man?
About 169 lb (76.5 kg) by the average of the four formulas. The healthy BMI range at 6′0″ is much wider, roughly 136–184 lb.
What is the ideal weight for a 5′6″ woman?
About 131 lb (59.6 kg) by the formulas, within a healthy BMI range of roughly 115–154 lb.
Which number should I aim for?
Use the healthy BMI range as your main guide, and treat the formula values as a sanity check. Where you feel strong and energetic within that range matters more than any single figure.