What Is My Ideal Weight for My Height? 4 Formulas Compared

Your ideal weight depends on your height and sex. Four well-known formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi) give a target based on how many inches you are over 5 feet, and the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) gives a wider healthy zone. For a 175 cm man, the formulas average about 70 kg and the healthy range is about 57–76 kg. The Ideal Weight Calculator shows all of them at once.

How are ideal weight formulas calculated?

Each formula starts from a base weight at 5 ft (152.4 cm) and adds a fixed amount for every extra inch:

Formula	Men	Women
Devine (1974)	50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch	45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch
Robinson (1983)	52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch	49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch
Miller (1983)	56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch	53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch
Hamwi (1964)	48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch	45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch

Worked example: a man who is 175 cm

175 cm is about 68.9 inches, so 8.9 inches over 5 ft.

• Devine: 50 + 2.3 × 8.9 = 70.5 kg
• Robinson: 52 + 1.9 × 8.9 = 68.9 kg
• Miller: 56.2 + 1.41 × 8.9 = 68.7 kg
• Hamwi: 48 + 2.7 × 8.9 = 72.0 kg
• Average: about 70 kg (154 lb)

The healthy BMI range at that height is 18.5 × 1.75² to 24.9 × 1.75², or about 56.7–76.3 kg.

For a woman of 163 cm (about 64 inches, 4.2 inches over 5 ft), the formulas give roughly 52–55 kg and the healthy BMI range is about 49–66 kg.

The Ideal Weight Calculator does this in cm or ft/in, shows each formula in a table and gives the healthy BMI range.

Why do the formulas disagree?

They were created for different reasons. The Devine formula, for example, was designed to estimate drug doses, not to describe a perfect body. None of them considers muscle, bone structure, age or ethnicity. That's why it's better to think of a target zone than a single number.

Should I aim for the formula weight or the BMI range?

For most adults, staying anywhere inside the healthy BMI range is a sensible goal. The formula results sit near the middle of that range and are useful as a reference point. If you're muscular, you may be healthy above the formula weights; check your body fat instead with the Body Fat Calculator, or read how to measure body fat at home.

Some health services recommend lower BMI thresholds for people of South Asian and some other backgrounds, because health risks start at lower weights. The NHS uses 23 rather than 25 as the start of "overweight" for these groups.

When are these numbers not useful?

• Children and teenagers: use growth charts instead.
• Pregnancy: ask your midwife or doctor about healthy weight gain.
• Under 5 ft (152 cm): the formulas were made for taller adults; the calculator warns you and suggests the BMI range.
• Older adults: a slightly higher weight can be protective; keeping muscle matters more.

How do I reach a healthier weight?

If you're above your healthy range, losing 5–10% of your weight brings real health benefits even if you don't reach the "ideal" number. A small daily calorie deficit and more protein and fibre are the most reliable approach. Start with the Calorie Calculator, then check your typical meals with the Food Calorie & Fiber Checker.

Find your ideal weight

Open the free Ideal Weight Calculator, choose your sex and units, and enter your height. You'll see all four formulas, their average and your healthy BMI range. To check where you are now, use the BMI Calculator and our guide to what a healthy BMI is.