Written and maintained by Christin Bowles, founder of TidyCalcs.
Please enter a height between 4'0" and 7'6" (122–229 cm).
Height is the key
Every formula here starts from your height. Taller people have more bone and muscle, so their ideal weight goes up.
A range, not one number
The healthy BMI range gives you room of 30+ pounds at most heights. Anywhere inside it is a healthy weight.
Muscle counts
These formulas can't see muscle. Very muscular people can be healthy above their "ideal" weight.
Used by doctors
Doctors and pharmacists use ideal body weight, mostly the Devine formula, to work out doses of some medicines.
Ideal weight chart for women — by height
The first column is the range given by the four ideal body weight formulas. The second is the healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9.
| Height | Ideal weight (4 formulas) | Healthy BMI range |
|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 90–111 lbs | 89–119 lbs |
| 4'11" | 95–114 lbs | 92–123 lbs |
| 5'0" | 100–117 lbs | 95–127 lbs |
| 5'1" | 105–120 lbs | 98–132 lbs |
| 5'2" | 110–123 lbs | 101–136 lbs |
| 5'3" | 115–126 lbs | 104–141 lbs |
| 5'4" | 120–129 lbs | 108–145 lbs |
| 5'5" | 125–132 lbs | 111–150 lbs |
| 5'6" | 129–135 lbs | 115–154 lbs |
| 5'7" | 134–138 lbs | 118–159 lbs |
| 5'8" | 138–141 lbs | 122–164 lbs |
| 5'9" | 142–146 lbs | 125–169 lbs |
| 5'10" | 146–151 lbs | 129–174 lbs |
| 5'11" | 149–156 lbs | 133–179 lbs |
| 6'0" | 153–161 lbs | 136–184 lbs |
Ideal weight chart for men — by height
| Height | Ideal weight (4 formulas) | Healthy BMI range |
|---|---|---|
| 5'2" | 118–130 lbs | 101–136 lbs |
| 5'3" | 124–133 lbs | 104–141 lbs |
| 5'4" | 130–136 lbs | 108–145 lbs |
| 5'5" | 136–139 lbs | 111–150 lbs |
| 5'6" | 140–143 lbs | 115–154 lbs |
| 5'7" | 144–147 lbs | 118–159 lbs |
| 5'8" | 148–153 lbs | 122–164 lbs |
| 5'9" | 152–159 lbs | 125–169 lbs |
| 5'10" | 155–165 lbs | 129–174 lbs |
| 5'11" | 158–171 lbs | 133–179 lbs |
| 6'0" | 161–177 lbs | 136–184 lbs |
| 6'1" | 164–183 lbs | 140–189 lbs |
| 6'2" | 167–189 lbs | 144–194 lbs |
| 6'3" | 171–195 lbs | 148–199 lbs |
| 6'4" | 174–201 lbs | 152–205 lbs |
| 6'5" | 177–207 lbs | 156–210 lbs |
| 6'6" | 180–213 lbs | 160–215 lbs |
For example, a 5'5" woman has an ideal weight of about 125–132 lbs by the formulas, and a healthy BMI range of 111–150 lbs. A 5'10" man has an ideal weight of about 155–165 lbs, and a healthy BMI range of 129–174 lbs.
The 4 ideal weight formulas — explained
All four formulas start with a base weight for someone 5 feet tall and add a set amount for every inch over 5 feet. They give results in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs).
Miller (1983): men 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch · women 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch
Devine (1974): men 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch · women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch
Hamwi (1964): men 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch · women 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch
The formulas were first made for medical use, not for weight loss goals. The Devine formula, for example, was created to help doctors dose medicine. That's why we show them next to the healthy BMI range, which comes from large health studies.
Think of the healthy BMI range as the safe zone and the formulas as a middle point inside it. If you're already inside the range and feel good, you may not need to change anything. A doctor can help you set a goal that fits your health, age, and build.
Why ideal weight is only part of the picture
Weight alone can't tell fat from muscle. Two people at the same height and weight can have very different health. Check your body fat percentage and your BMI to get a fuller picture. If you want to reach your ideal weight, the calorie calculator shows how much to eat each day.
Common questions
How much should I weigh for my height?
A common guide is the healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9. For a 5'5" woman, that's about 111–150 lbs. For a 5'10" man, it's about 129–174 lbs. The ideal body weight formulas give a narrower target inside or near that range.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'5" woman?
The four ideal body weight formulas give about 125–132 lbs for a 5'5" woman. Her healthy BMI weight range is about 111–150 lbs.
What is the ideal weight for a 5'10" man?
The four ideal body weight formulas give about 155–165 lbs for a 5'10" man. His healthy BMI weight range is about 129–174 lbs.
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
None of them is perfect. The Devine formula (1974) is the one most used by doctors and pharmacists, mainly for dosing medicine. The Robinson and Miller formulas (1983) were later updates. Most people are best served by looking at the healthy BMI range and the formulas together, not one single number.
Does ideal weight change with age?
The formulas don't use age, and the BMI range is the same for all adults. But as we age we tend to lose muscle, so two people with the same weight can be quite different inside. Checking your body fat percentage gives a fuller picture.
Is ideal weight different for women and men?
Yes. Men usually have more muscle and bone, so the formulas give men a higher ideal weight than women of the same height. The healthy BMI range is the same for both.
Sources and further reading
For independent, authoritative information on this topic, these are good places to start:
- Pai and Paloucek, Annals of Pharmacotherapy (2000): The origin of the "ideal" body weight equations — the history of the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adult BMI categories — the source of the healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Aim for a healthy weight — how weight, waist size, and other risk factors are assessed together.
Results are estimates for general information and are not medical advice. A doctor or registered dietitian can give guidance specific to you.