See the classic Devine ideal body weight for your height, alongside the healthy BMI weight range, in both kilograms and pounds. A guide to start a conversation about goals — not a medical judgement.
Ideal Weight Calculator
How the Ideal Weight Calculator Works
Your “ideal” weight is not a single number you must hit — it is a reference range derived from your height, used by clinicians as a quick guide to what a healthy weight might look like for your frame. This calculator works out the Devine formula result for your height and sex, shows the classic BMI-based healthy weight range for comparison, and gives a practical target range to aim for. Treat it as a guide, not a verdict: build, muscle and personal health all shift where your own healthy weight sits.
The Devine formula is the classic method. For men: ideal weight = 50 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. It was developed for drug dosing, which is why it gives one tidy number rather than a range. Alongside it, the calculator shows the BMI-based range: the weights at which someone of your height would score between 18.5 and 24.9. The target range shown is the overlap: the Devine result widened by a sensible margin, bounded by the BMI range, so you get a realistic band rather than a false-precision point.
This is a height-only estimate. It cannot see your bone structure, muscle mass, age or health history, and it is not designed for children, teenagers or pregnancy. If the number feels very different from your current weight, take it as a prompt to think about your health overall rather than as a target you must reach at any cost.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your height in centimetres or feet and inches.
- Select your sex, because the Devine formula starts from a different base for men and women.
- Press Calculate.
- Compare the three figures: the Devine ideal weight, the BMI healthy range, and the target range.
- Use the target range as a realistic goal band, and re-check only occasionally — weight trends over months matter more than single readings.
Example
A man who is 5′10″ (177.8 cm, or 70 inches) has a Devine ideal weight of 50 + (2.3 × 10) = 73 kg. His BMI healthy range is 56.7 kg to 76.3 kg, and his target range is about 66 kg to 76 kg.
A woman who is 5′5″ (165.1 cm, 65 inches) has a Devine ideal weight of 45.5 + (2.3 × 5) = 57 kg, with a BMI healthy range of 50.4 kg to 67.8 kg. Her target range is about 51 kg to 63 kg. Notice that in both examples the Devine number sits comfortably inside the BMI range — when it does not, frame and build are usually the reason.
Understanding Your Result
The Devine formula is old and simple, and its limits show. It assumes everyone of the same height and sex should weigh the same, which ignores frame size: a broad-shouldered, muscular person will naturally sit above it, while a slight person sits below it. It also gives no range of its own, which is why this calculator pairs it with the BMI range and a target band. If your current weight sits within the target range, that is a good sign; if it sits outside, the gap is information, not a judgement — many healthy people live outside textbook ranges.
The most useful way to use these numbers is as a direction, not a destination. If you are well above the range, even moving part-way towards it brings real health benefits — blood pressure, blood sugar and joint load all improve well before you reach any “ideal” figure. If you are below it, the same applies in reverse: small, steady gains towards the range matter more than hitting the number exactly. And whatever your starting point, how you get there matters: a range reached through balanced eating and regular movement is worth far more than the same number reached through crash dieting.
Ideal Weight Calculator FAQs
Is there really one “ideal” weight for my height?
No. The Devine formula gives one number for convenience, but healthy weight is a range that depends on build, muscle, age and health. Use the target range shown, not the single figure, as your guide.
Why does the formula differ for men and women?
Because average body composition differs by sex — men typically carry more muscle and less essential fat at the same height. The different starting points (50 kg versus 45.5 kg) reflect that average difference.
What if my weight is outside the target range?
It is information, not a verdict. Many healthy people sit outside textbook ranges because of frame or muscle. If you are concerned, a clinician can assess your health properly rather than relying on a height-only formula.
Does this calculator work for children?
No. Children’s healthy weights depend on age and growth patterns, not just height. Use age-specific growth charts and professional advice for children and teenagers.
How is this different from the BMI calculator?
BMI gives a category from your actual weight and height. This calculator works in the other direction: from your height alone, it estimates what a healthy weight might be. The two pages complement each other.
Related calculators: BMI Calculator, Body Fat Calculator, Calorie Calculator.