Find your ideal weight range based on height and gender
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimate of the weight at which a person of a given height is likely to have the lowest health risk and best health outcomes. It is a range, not a single number — individual factors like bone density, muscle mass, and age mean that different people thrive at different weights within a healthy range.
This calculator uses the Devine formula, originally developed for medication dosing and now widely used as a reference for ideal body weight:
Men: IBW (kg) = 50 + 0.9 × (height in cm − 152)
Women: IBW (kg) = 45.5 + 0.9 × (height in cm − 152)
A 175 cm male: IBW = 50 + 0.9 × (175 − 152) = 50 + 20.7 = 70.7 kg
| Height | Ideal weight (men) | Ideal weight (women) | Healthy BMI range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 cm | 52.7 kg | 48.2 kg | 44–60 kg |
| 160 cm | 57.2 kg | 52.7 kg | 47–64 kg |
| 165 cm | 61.7 kg | 57.2 kg | 50–68 kg |
| 170 cm | 66.2 kg | 61.7 kg | 53–72 kg |
| 175 cm | 70.7 kg | 66.2 kg | 57–76 kg |
| 180 cm | 75.2 kg | 70.7 kg | 60–81 kg |
| 185 cm | 79.7 kg | 75.2 kg | 63–86 kg |
| 190 cm | 84.2 kg | 79.7 kg | 67–91 kg |
The Devine formula gives a single target number, but in practice a healthy weight range is more useful. The WHO healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 translates to a span of 10–15 kg for most adults. Being anywhere within this range is associated with similar health outcomes — fixating on a single number is rarely productive.
Individual variation within the healthy range is normal and healthy. A naturally muscular person and a naturally lean person of the same height may both be at their ideal weight at very different points within the healthy range.
All ideal weight formulas were developed in specific populations and have significant limitations. They do not account for muscle mass — a strength athlete will have an IBW far below their actual healthy weight. They do not account for age — older adults often fare better at slightly higher weights. They do not account for ethnic differences in body composition. Use IBW as a rough reference, not a goal to pursue at the expense of overall wellbeing.
No formula is universally accurate because ideal weight depends on individual body composition. The Devine, Hamwi, and Robinson formulas all give similar results for average-framed individuals but diverge for people with high muscle mass or very different bone structures. The healthy BMI range (BMI 18.5–24.9) is broader and arguably more useful as a range target.
Ideal weight is a reference, not a prescription. Health outcomes are good across the entire healthy BMI range. If your current weight is within the normal BMI range, you are at a healthy weight regardless of what the IBW formula says. Focus on fitness, nutrition quality, and metabolic health markers rather than a specific number on the scale.
BMI-based guidelines are the same across adult ages, but some research suggests that slightly higher weights (BMI 22–27) are associated with better outcomes in adults over 65, where low weight is a greater health risk than moderate overweight. The ideal weight formula does not adjust for age.
Women have a lower IBW than men at the same height because women naturally have lower muscle mass and bone density. At 170 cm, the Devine formula gives IBW of 66.2 kg for men and 61.7 kg for women — a difference of 4.5 kg reflecting typical differences in body composition.
If you are significantly outside the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9), speaking with a healthcare provider is worthwhile. Sustained weight outside healthy ranges increases risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions. However, lifestyle factors — particularly physical activity and diet quality — matter more than weight alone for long-term health outcomes.