See what the four classic ideal-weight formulas say for your height, side by side with the BMI healthy range, and learn which to actually pay attention to.
kg
cm
Healthy weight range52.2 kg – 70.3 kgBMI 18.5–24.9, the range with the lowest health risk
Devine59.6 kg1974, drug dosing
Robinson59.4 kg1983
Miller61.5 kg1983
Hamwi59 kg1964
Formula average59.9 kgYou are currently 78 kg
Formula weights ignore muscle mass and frame size. Treat them as reference points, not targets.
A better "ideal" is the weight where your body fat sits in the fitness range and you feel strong. Use the BMI range as the guard rails, not the goal.
About the formulas
Every formula here starts from a base weight at 5 feet (152 cm) and adds a fixed amount per inch
above that. Hamwi (1964) was a bedside rule of thumb for diabetic diets. Devine (1974) was published to dose gentamicin and remains the clinical
standard. Robinson and Miller (1983) refined Devine against
life-insurance data. None of them measured body composition.
A better definition of ideal
Health outcomes track body-fat distribution far better than any single weight. Use the body-fat calculator and a waist measurement, set a
target in the fitness range for your sex, then plan the route with the timeline tool.
Frequently asked questions
Which ideal weight formula is best?
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None is "best". Devine is the most widely used because hospitals dose some drugs with it. All four were built for adults of average build and agree within a few kilograms. The BMI healthy range is the more defensible guide for everyday use.
Why do the formulas give a lower weight than I expected?
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They were derived from insurance tables and clinical populations decades ago and do not account for muscle. Athletic people routinely sit above every formula while being perfectly healthy.
Should I aim for the ideal weight?
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Aim for a weight where your body fat is in the fitness range, your waist is less than half your height, and you feel strong. That may or may not match a formula.
Ethereal provides general educational information and estimates only. It is not medical advice and
does not replace an assessment by a doctor or registered dietitian. Do not use it if you are under
18, pregnant, or have a history of disordered eating without professional guidance.
Read the full disclaimer.