Quick answer: Ideal body weight formulas such as Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi estimate a target weight from height and sex, adding a fixed amount for every inch above 5 feet. For a man who is 175 cm tall they give between 68.7 and 72.3 kg, and the healthy BMI range for that height is 56.7 to 76.3 kg.
“What should I weigh?” has no single answer, but doctors have used formulas for decades to estimate an ideal body weight from height and sex. They were first developed to help calculate medicine doses, and later spread into general use.
This calculator shows four of the best-known ones side by side. They usually land within a few kilograms of each other, and the spread is a reminder that “ideal” is a range, not a point. Alongside them you will see the weight range that corresponds to a healthy BMI for your height.
The four formulas
Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 feet (60 inches) and adds a fixed amount for every inch above it.
Robinson (1983): men 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch; women 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch
Miller (1983): men 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch; women 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch
Hamwi (1964): men 106 lb + 6 lb per inch; women 100 lb + 5 lb per inch
The formulas do not account for age, muscle mass, bone structure or body fat. A muscular person may weigh more than the “ideal” and still be very healthy. Use the results as a reference point, and speak to a health professional about a target that suits you.
A worked example
Example. For a man who is 175 cm tall, the formulas give 70.5 kg (Devine), 68.9 kg (Robinson), 68.7 kg (Miller) and 72.3 kg (Hamwi). The average is 70.1 kg. The healthy BMI range for that height is 56.7 to 76.3 kg.
Examples by height
| Height | Sex | Average of four formulas | Healthy BMI range (18.5 to 24.9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 cm | Woman | 53.9 kg | 47.4 to 63.7 kg |
| 160 cm | Man | 57.8 kg | 47.4 to 63.7 kg |
| 170 cm | Woman | 61.5 kg | 53.5 to 72.0 kg |
| 170 cm | Man | 66.0 kg | 53.5 to 72.0 kg |
| 180 cm | Woman | 69.0 kg | 59.9 to 80.7 kg |
| 180 cm | Man | 74.2 kg | 59.9 to 80.7 kg |
Formula averages use the Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi methods. The BMI range is the weight band that gives a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 at that height.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Aiming for one exact number. The formulas disagree by a few kilograms, and a healthy weight is a range that depends on frame, muscle and age.
- Using them for children, pregnancy or people who are very tall or very short. The formulas were built for average adults above about 5 feet tall.
- Ignoring how you feel and your health measures. Fitness, blood pressure and blood tests say more about health than a target on the scale.
Go deeper: read our guide BMI Explained: Categories, Limits and Alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is the most accurate?
No single formula is proven best for everyone. They were built from limited data and give slightly different answers. The average of the four, and the healthy BMI range, are more useful than any single number.
Is ideal body weight the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly. Ideal weight formulas give one number, while a healthy weight is a range. The BMI range shown is wider and reflects that people differ in build.
Do the formulas work for short people?
They were designed for heights over 5 feet (152 cm). Below that the results are less reliable and the calculator warns you.
Why do men and women get different results?
On average men have more muscle and larger frames at the same height, so the formulas use higher weights for men.
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Sources and further reading
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