Ideal Weight Calculator
Find your healthy weight range and classic ideal weight from your height.
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What is ideal weight?
"Ideal weight" is the weight associated with the lowest health risk for your height. Modern health science treats this as a range rather than a single number, because a healthy weight naturally varies with muscle mass, frame size, and individual factors. This calculator shows two things: the healthy weight range based on a normal BMI, and a single classic "ideal" figure from the widely used Devine formula.
How it's calculated
The healthy range applies the World Health Organization's normal BMI band (18.5 to 24.9) to your height:
- Lower bound = 18.5 × height (m)²
- Upper bound = 24.9 × height (m)²
The Devine formula (1974), originally created for medication dosing and still common in clinical settings, gives a single ideal weight: men 50 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet; women 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet.
Which number should I use?
For everyday goal-setting, the healthy BMI range is the most useful and forgiving — anywhere inside it is considered a healthy weight. The Devine figure is handy as a quick single reference point, but it tends to read low for taller and more muscular people. Use the range as your target zone and the single number only as a rough landmark.
Limitations
Like BMI, these formulas use only height (and sex for Devine), so they cannot tell muscle from fat. A lean, muscular athlete may weigh more than their "ideal" while being perfectly healthy. Body composition, waist circumference, and overall fitness matter more than hitting a specific number on the scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is my ideal weight?
There is no single ideal weight. The healthiest approach is a range based on a BMI of 18.5–24.9 for your height. Within that range, the right weight for you depends on muscle mass, frame size, and personal health. This calculator shows both the healthy range and a classic single-number estimate.
How is ideal weight calculated?
This tool calculates a healthy weight range by applying the WHO normal BMI band (18.5–24.9) to your height. It also shows the Devine formula result, a classic clinical estimate from 1974 that gives a single ideal weight based on height and sex.
Is ideal weight different for men and women?
The healthy BMI-based range is the same for both sexes since it depends only on height. Classic formulas like Devine do differ by sex, giving men a slightly higher ideal weight than women of the same height because of typical differences in muscle and frame.
Should I aim for the exact ideal weight number?
No. Treat the healthy range as your target zone rather than chasing one exact number. A muscular person may sit at the higher end and still be very healthy. Focus on habits and body composition rather than a single figure on the scale.
Does ideal weight account for muscle?
No. Like BMI, ideal-weight formulas use only height (and sometimes sex), so they don't distinguish muscle from fat. Athletes and very muscular people may exceed their calculated ideal weight while being lean and healthy.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. A healthy weight is individual. Consult a doctor or dietitian for guidance tailored to you.
Other Calculators
- BMI Calculator— Body Mass Index from height and weight
- Body Fat Calculator— Body fat % via the US Navy method
- Calorie Calculator— Daily energy needs (TDEE)