Ideal Weight Calculator
Estimate a healthy weight range for your height using standard medical formulas.
What this calculator does
Shows two standard reference points for weight relative to height: the healthy BMI range, and the Devine formula figure used in clinical settings. Both are population-level reference points, not personal targets — this calculator is meant to inform, not to set a goal to chase.
Who this is for
Anyone curious how their height compares to standard medical reference ranges, or wanting context for a conversation with a healthcare provider. This is a reference tool, not a substitute for individualized medical or nutritional advice.
How this calculator works
Shows two reference points: the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) for your height, and the Devine formula, commonly used in clinical medication-dosing contexts. Neither accounts for frame size, muscle mass, or body composition.
The Devine formula
Originally published in 1974 for calculating medication dosing, not as a fitness or aesthetic benchmark: for men, 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet; for women, 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet.
Worked example
A man who is 175 cm (about 5'9"): Devine formula = 50 + (2.3 × 9) = 50 + 20.7 = ≈70.7 kg. The healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) at that same height works out to roughly 56.7–76.2 kg — notice the Devine figure sits within that broader BMI-based range, since the two formulas were built for different purposes but tend to land in a similar neighborhood for average frame sizes.
Comparing the reference points
Run the calculator above to compare the BMI range and Devine formula estimate.
Common mistakes
- Treating either formula as a personal target. Both are population averages that don't account for your individual frame size, muscle mass, or body composition.
- Chasing the exact Devine number. It was originally designed for medication dosing calculations, not as a general fitness or aesthetic goal.
- Ignoring how you actually feel and function. Energy levels, strength, and health markers (blood pressure, bloodwork) are generally more useful indicators than a single reference weight.
- Using this for children or during pregnancy. These formulas are built from adult population data and don't apply in either of those contexts — see our guides on BMI by age and BMI during pregnancy instead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Devine formula and why is it used?
It's a formula originally published in 1974 for estimating dosing weight for certain medications in clinical settings, not as a general "ideal weight" benchmark. It's included here as a widely referenced clinical reference point.
Which formula should I trust more?
Neither is more "correct" than the other — they're different reference points for different purposes. The BMI range reflects general population health guidelines; the Devine formula was designed for clinical medication dosing. Treat both as reference points, not targets.
Why don't these account for muscle mass?
Both formulas use height (and sex, for Devine) only — they can't distinguish a muscular frame from a less muscular one at the same height. The Body Fat Calculator gives a more relevant picture for muscular builds.
Is there one universally "ideal" weight?
No — healthy weight varies by individual factors including frame size, muscle mass, and overall health markers, not just height. These calculators give reference ranges, not personal prescriptions.