How is ideal body weight calculated by medical professionals?

Devine and Robinson are height-based adult reference formulas that were developed for clinical purposes. This calculator shows both alongside a BMI-based range because the methods can disagree and no single result is universally ideal.

What if my current weight is above my calculated ideal range?

Do not treat the range as a diagnosis or an instruction to lose weight. Body composition, waist size, health history and the reason for weight change matter. Discuss a suitable goal with a clinician or registered dietitian when health conditions, pregnancy, medication or a large weight change are involved.

Does bone frame size impact ideal body weight?

Frame size and body composition can affect how a height-based result applies, but this calculator does not measure either. Waist measurements, body-fat estimates and clinical assessment provide additional context.

Is ideal weight different for Asian populations?

Some public-health guidance uses lower BMI action points for Asian populations because metabolic risk may occur at lower BMI values. These are screening thresholds, not a personalized ideal weight, and should be interpreted with other health measures.

Ideal Weight Calculator: Healthy Range

Devine Reference Weight

70.5 kg (Devine)

BMI Reference: 56.7 – 70.4 kg

Your Current Weight: 76 kg +5.5 kg above Devine reference

Devine Formula (Standard) 70.5 kg

Most common clinical dosage metric

Robinson Formula 68.9 kg

Alternative height-based reference

BMI-Based Reference Band 56.7 – 70.4 kg

Height-based screening reference

The 0.5 Waist-to-Height Ratio Rule:

A waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is a commonly used screening guide (for example, under 85cm at 170cm height). It is not a diagnosis or a personal treatment target.

Logical Next Step

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How Ideal Body Weight is Calculated

Height-based formulas provide reference weights for adult clinical calculations, but they do not identify one scientifically perfect weight. Because body composition, frame size and health context vary, use the result as a reference range rather than a rigid target.

The Standard Formulas

Devine Formula (Men): 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet

Devine Formula (Women): 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet

Robinson Formula (Men): 52.0 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet

Robinson Formula (Women): 49.0 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet

How to interpret your result

The Devine and Robinson methods estimate a reference weight from height and sex. They were developed for clinical use and can produce different results for the same person. Neither formula measures body fat, muscle mass, waist size, fitness, medical history or how your weight has changed over time.

Use the range as context

A range is more useful than treating one number as a pass-or-fail target. Compare the formulas, note the span between them, and consider the BMI-based band as another height-based reference rather than a diagnosis.

Do not use it for children

These adult formulas are not designed for children or adolescents, whose growth is assessed with age- and sex-specific growth charts. Pregnancy, edema, major illness and clinical drug dosing also require professional assessment.

Worked example for a 175 cm adult

At 175 cm (about 5 feet 9 inches), the Devine formula gives approximately 70.5 kg for a man and 66.0 kg for a woman. The Robinson formula gives approximately 68.9 kg and 64.1 kg respectively. The difference is expected: each equation uses a different starting value and amount per inch over five feet.

The calculator’s BMI-based range is calculated separately from height squared. If your goal is weight change, first use this result as a discussion point, then check your current BMI category, body composition context and a sustainable calorie target. A clinician or registered dietitian can interpret these measures alongside your health history.

Evidence note: published reviews show that commonly used ideal-body-weight equations can disagree materially and do not produce one universally applicable “ideal” value. This page therefore presents multiple methods and labels them as references rather than a diagnosis.

Ready to map your target weight to an exact nutritional plan? Proceed to our Daily Calorie & Macro Calculator.