healthMarch 4, 2026

Ideal Weight for Your Height

Ideal body weight (IBW) is one of the most searched health topics, but the concept is more nuanced than a single number. Multiple formulas exist, each with different strengths and limitations. This guide explains the most popular ideal weight calculation methods, what they mean, and why your ideal weight is about more than just a number on the scale.

What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal body weight is a clinical estimate of the weight at which you are likely to be healthiest, based primarily on your height and sex. It was originally developed for drug dosing and medical assessments, not as a personal fitness target. IBW formulas do not account for muscle mass, bone structure, or body composition. Your truly ideal weight depends on multiple factors including fitness level, body fat percentage, and overall health markers.

Popular IBW Formulas

The Devine formula (1974) — Men: 50 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet, Women: 45.5 + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. The Robinson formula (1983) — Men: 52 + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet, Women: 49 + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. The Miller formula (1983) — Men: 56.2 + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet, Women: 53.1 + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet. The Hamwi formula — Men: 48 + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet, Women: 45.5 + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet.

BMI-Based Ideal Weight Range

A practical approach uses BMI to calculate an ideal weight range. A healthy BMI range is 18.5-24.9. For your height: Ideal weight range = 18.5 × height(m)² to 24.9 × height(m)². Example: for someone 170 cm tall, the healthy range is 53.5-72.0 kg. This gives a range rather than a single number, acknowledging that many weights can be healthy. The midpoint of this range (BMI 21.7) is often considered ideal.

Factors That Affect Your Ideal Weight

Height is the primary factor, but these also matter significantly: body frame size (small, medium, or large), muscle mass (athletes weigh more than sedentary people at the same height), age (older adults may benefit from slightly higher weight), sex (men typically have more muscle and heavier bones), ethnicity (BMI health risks vary by ethnic group), and individual health markers (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol may be more important than weight).

Why a Range is Better Than a Number

Fixating on a single ideal weight number can be harmful. Weight naturally fluctuates 1-2 kg daily due to water, food, and hormones. A healthy weight range is more realistic and sustainable. Focus on body composition (fat vs. muscle) rather than scale weight alone. Someone with more muscle may weigh more but be healthier than someone at a lower weight with more fat. Health markers like energy levels, strength, and blood work are better indicators than scale weight.

Setting a Realistic Weight Goal

Instead of chasing an ideal weight formula, consider these approaches: aim for a weight where you feel energetic and can sustain your lifestyle, target a healthy body fat percentage (10-22% for men, 20-32% for women), focus on waist circumference (below 94 cm for men, below 80 cm for women), prioritize health markers over scale weight, and set behavior goals (exercise frequency, protein intake) rather than weight goals. Sustainable weight is a weight you can maintain without extreme restriction.

Find Your Ideal Weight Range

Use our free Ideal Weight Calculator to find your healthy weight range using multiple validated formulas.

Try Ideal Weight Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?

No single formula is definitively most accurate because ideal weight depends on individual factors like body composition, frame size, and muscle mass. The Devine formula is most commonly used in clinical settings. The BMI-based range (18.5-24.9) is recommended by WHO and provides a practical range rather than a single number. For the most personalized assessment, consult a healthcare provider who can consider your complete health picture.

Why does my ideal weight seem too low or too high?

IBW formulas do not account for muscle mass or frame size. If you are muscular, formulas will underestimate your ideal weight. If you have a naturally smaller frame, they may overestimate. Use the formula as a starting point and adjust based on how you feel, your body fat percentage, and health markers. A range of ±5 kg around any formula result is reasonable.

Is ideal weight different for different ethnicities?

Yes, research shows that health risks associated with different BMI levels vary by ethnicity. For example, Asian populations face increased health risks at lower BMIs (above 23 vs. 25 for Western populations). Pacific Islanders may be healthy at higher BMIs. WHO has acknowledged these differences and some countries use adjusted BMI categories. Your healthcare provider can help determine the best weight range for you.