Why There Is No Single Ideal Weight
The concept of an "ideal body weight" was originally developed in the 1950s–1970s by insurance companies trying to predict mortality risk — not by health researchers. The resulting formulas were simple, height-based calculations that have been widely adopted in clinical settings (particularly for drug dosing) but were never intended as personal targets.
Modern evidence shows that health is better predicted by a combination of factors: BMI range, waist circumference, body fat percentage, muscle mass, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. A single number from any formula is just a starting reference point.
Use ideal weight formulas as a rough compass, not a rigid target. A healthy weight range (from WHO BMI) is more meaningful than a single "ideal" number.
The 4 Medical Ideal Weight Formulas
All four formulas use height as the primary input and return a single target weight. They differ in their base weights and per-inch increment for height above 5 feet:
| Formula | Year | Men (base + per inch) | Women (base + per inch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devine | 1974 | 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/inch |
| Robinson | 1983 | 52 kg + 1.9 kg/inch | 49 kg + 1.7 kg/inch |
| Miller | 1983 | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/inch | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/inch |
| Hamwi | 1964 | 48 kg + 2.7 kg/inch | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg/inch |
All calculations use inches above 5 feet (60 inches). If you are 5'8" (68 inches), that is 8 inches above 5 feet.
Example — Devine formula for a man at 5'10" (70 inches = 10 above 5'):
Ideal weight = 50 + (2.3 × 10) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg (161 lbs)
Ideal Weight Chart for Men
| Height | Devine | Robinson | Miller | Hamwi | WHO Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 59 kg | 60 kg | 62 kg | 59 kg | 49–66 kg |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 64 kg | 63 kg | 65 kg | 64 kg | 52–71 kg |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 68 kg | 67 kg | 68 kg | 70 kg | 56–76 kg |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 73 kg | 71 kg | 71 kg | 75 kg | 59–80 kg |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 78 kg | 75 kg | 74 kg | 80 kg | 62–84 kg |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 83 kg | 79 kg | 77 kg | 86 kg | 65–88 kg |
Ideal Weight Chart for Women
| Height | Devine | Robinson | Miller | Hamwi | WHO Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 46 kg | 49 kg | 53 kg | 46 kg | 43–58 kg |
| 5'2" (158 cm) | 50 kg | 53 kg | 56 kg | 51 kg | 46–62 kg |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 55 kg | 56 kg | 59 kg | 56 kg | 49–66 kg |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 59 kg | 59 kg | 62 kg | 60 kg | 52–70 kg |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 64 kg | 63 kg | 65 kg | 65 kg | 55–75 kg |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 68 kg | 66 kg | 68 kg | 70 kg | 59–79 kg |
WHO BMI Healthy Weight Range — The Best Approach
Rather than targeting a single number from any formula, the most evidence-based approach is to aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m². This gives you a healthy weight range — not a single point — which is more appropriate given individual variation in muscle mass, bone density, and body composition.
Healthy weight range calculation:
Lower: 18.5 × height² (m²) → Upper: 24.9 × height² (m²)
Example (178 cm = 1.78 m):
18.5 × (1.78²) = 58.7 kg → 24.9 × (1.78²) = 79.0 kg
Which Formula Should You Use?
In practice:
- Devine — most widely used in clinical settings (especially for medication dosing). Good general reference.
- Robinson — slightly lower results, considered more conservative.
- Hamwi — tends to give higher numbers; may suit taller or more muscular individuals.
- WHO BMI range — the most scientifically robust approach, especially for health risk assessment.
The practical recommendation: use the WHO BMI range as your primary target, and treat the formula results as confirmation that you are in the right ballpark.
Calculate All 4 Formulas Instantly
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