Ideal Weight Calculator
Ideal Weight Calculator
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall well-being and can help prevent a variety of health conditions. Our Ideal Weight Calculator helps you estimate your optimal weight range based on your height, gender, and body frame size. While there is no single “ideal” weight that applies to everyone, these estimates provide a useful starting point for understanding what might be healthy for your body type.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal weight using multiple formulas
What is an Ideal Weight Calculator?
An Ideal Weight Calculator is a tool designed to estimate the healthiest weight for an individual. It uses established formulas and guidelines to determine a target weight range based on your height, sex, and sometimes your body frame size. While not an exact science, it offers a general benchmark to help guide health and fitness goals.
How Much Should I Weigh?
The answer varies depending on factors like:
Height
Sex (male or female)
Age
Body composition
Body frame size
The calculator uses various well-known formulas to determine a weight that is considered healthy for your height and frame. These formulas have been developed by health professionals and researchers over the years, each with slightly different results.
Body Frame Size
Body frame size can influence your ideal weight range. People with larger frames may naturally weigh more without being overweight, while those with smaller frames may weigh less. You can estimate your frame size using the circumference of your wrist relative to your height:
For Women:
Height under 5’2″:
Small: wrist size < 5.5″
Medium: wrist size 5.5″–5.75″
Large: wrist size > 5.75″
Height 5’2″–5’5″:
Small: < 6″
Medium: 6″–6.25″
Large: > 6.25″
For Men:
Height over 5’5″:
Small: wrist size < 6.5″
Medium: wrist size 6.5″–7.5″
Large: > 7.5″
This measurement helps tailor your ideal weight estimate more accurately.
Formulas for Finding the Ideal Weight
Several formulas have been developed over the years to estimate ideal body weight (IBW). Our calculator includes the following:
G. J. Hamwi Formula (1964)
Male: 106 lbs for 5 feet + 6 lbs for every additional inch
Female: 100 lbs for 5 feet + 5 lbs for every additional inch
Add/subtract 10% for body frame size (small/large)
B. J. Devine Formula (1974)
Originally developed to determine drug dosages based on body weight.
Male: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
J. D. Robinson Formula (1983)
Male: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
D. R. Miller Formula (1983)
Male: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet
Female: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet
Each formula offers a slightly different estimate, and your ideal weight may fall somewhere within the ranges suggested by these models.
Healthy BMI Range
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used method to categorize weight:
Underweight: BMI < 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
Obese: BMI 30 or greater
BMI is a general guide and does not differentiate between muscle and fat. It’s best used in combination with other health indicators.
Healthy BMI Range for Children
For children and teens (ages 2–19), BMI is interpreted differently. It is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age. Percentile rankings are used:
Underweight: < 5th percentile
Healthy weight: 5th–85th percentile
Overweight: 85th–95th percentile
Obese: > 95th percentile
Pediatric BMI calculations should always be interpreted by a healthcare provider.
Limitations of Our IBW Calculator
While our Ideal Body Weight calculator offers useful guidance, it has its limitations:
Does not account for muscle mass: Athletes or muscular individuals may be classified as overweight.
Does not reflect body fat percentage: Two people with the same weight and height can have very different body compositions.
May not suit all ethnicities or age groups: Some populations may have different health risk profiles.
Not a diagnostic tool: Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Final Thoughts
Your health is about more than just a number. Use this calculator as a starting point, not a strict goal. Maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and consulting with a healthcare provider are key steps toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.