Printed on 3/17/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight range considered healthy for a given height and sex. Several formulas have been developed over decades by researchers, each producing slightly different results. This tool uses four well-known formulas to give you a comprehensive view of your ideal weight range.
Formula: Devine: Male = 50 + 2.3 × (height_in − 60), Female = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height_in − 60)
Input your height in centimeters (or feet and inches) and select your biological sex. These are the only two variables used by traditional ideal weight formulas.
The calculator applies Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas simultaneously, each developed from different research populations and methodologies.
Look at the range across all four formulas rather than fixating on one number. This range represents a reasonable band of healthy weight for someone of your height and sex.
Individuals starting fitness journeys
Get a general reference point for healthy weight based on your height. Use the range — not a single number — as a flexible guide rather than an absolute target.
Pharmacists, physicians, nurses
Calculate ideal body weight for medications dosed by IBW, including aminoglycosides, many chemotherapy agents, and mechanical ventilator tidal volume settings.
ICU physicians, respiratory therapists
Set tidal volumes based on IBW, not actual weight, per ARDSNet protocol. Standard is 6-8 mL/kg IBW. This prevents barotrauma in obese patients.
Anesthesiologists, surgeons
Estimate lean body mass for anesthetic drug dosing and fluid calculations. Actual weight can overestimate needs in obese patients.
Dietitians, bariatric teams
Compare actual weight to IBW range when assessing nutrition status. Patients significantly above or below the range may warrant closer nutritional evaluation.
Personal trainers, fitness enthusiasts
Understand where traditional formulas set 'ideal' weight, then adjust expectations based on muscle mass, frame size, and body composition goals.
Different formulas give results varying by 5-15 kg for the same person. Rather than picking one, use the range across all four to get a realistic healthy weight band for your height.
The Devine formula (1974) is the standard in most hospitals for drug dosing and ventilator settings. If a protocol says 'IBW,' it usually means Devine unless otherwise specified.
A 180-cm muscular athlete and a 180-cm sedentary person get the same IBW. If you have significant muscle mass, your healthy weight will be higher than these formulas suggest. Use our [Body Fat Calculator](/tools/body-fat-calculator) for a more complete picture.
For general health assessment, [BMI](/tools/bmi-calculator) (18.5-24.9 range) combined with [waist-to-height ratio](/tools/waist-to-height-ratio) often gives a more complete picture than IBW alone, which was designed for drug dosing.
Some older guidelines adjusted IBW by ±10% for small or large frame sizes. This has largely fallen out of use because frame size determination is inconsistent.
A 2-inch error in height can change IBW by 5-10 kg. For clinical applications, measure height properly: heels together, back straight against a stadiometer, looking forward.
For very short (<150 cm) or very tall (>190 cm) individuals, formulas become less reliable. They were developed from populations clustering around average heights.
For obese patients needing weight-based dosing, 'adjusted body weight' (ABW = IBW + 0.4 × (actual weight − IBW)) is sometimes used. This accounts for increased lean mass that comes with higher total weight.
Blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, energy levels, and functional fitness are more important than matching a formula. Some people are healthy above IBW; some struggle at IBW.
Most IBW formulas came from studies on white adults in the mid-20th century. They may not apply equally to all ethnic groups, age ranges, or body types.
The Devine formula (1974) is the most widely used IBW formula in clinical practice, originally developed for aminoglycoside dosing. ARDSNet protocol (NEJM 2000) established IBW-based tidal volumes as standard of care. Robinson (1983) and Miller (1983) formulas were developed for general population estimates.
Your results show ideal weight estimates from four formulas: Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi. Rather than focusing on any single number, look at the range across all four. This range represents a reasonable band of healthy weight for your height and sex.
If your actual weight falls within or near this range, it generally suggests a proportionate body weight. If it falls significantly above or below, it may warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider — but remember that these formulas do not account for body composition, muscle mass, or frame size.
Ideal body weight is commonly used in clinical medicine for weight-based drug dosing (e.g., tidal volume settings in mechanical ventilation are based on IBW, not actual weight). It is also used as a reference point in nutritional assessments and as a starting benchmark for weight management goals.
For personal health, it provides a quick frame of reference when BMI alone feels too abstract. Comparing your weight to the IBW range can help contextualize whether you are broadly in a healthy zone.
All IBW formulas were developed decades ago from limited and non-diverse populations. They use only height and sex as inputs — they do not account for age, ethnicity, frame size, or body composition. A muscular individual and a sedentary individual of the same height and sex will receive identical results.
The formulas were originally designed for clinical drug dosing purposes, not as health targets. They should never be used as the sole basis for weight-loss goals or to diagnose weight-related conditions. For a more complete picture, consider using BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference together.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
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