About this Ideal Body Weight
The concept of 'Ideal' weight is subjective, but medical professionals use standardized formulas to estimate a target weight for dosing medications and assessing health risks. The Devine Formula is the most common standard used in hospitals.
Who this calculator is for
- Adults who want a formula-based target weight range for planning purposes.
- People comparing how close current weight is to common clinical reference formulas.
- Anyone adding context before looking at calories, BMI, or body-fat tools.
When to use it
- Use this calculator to estimate a formula-based goal weight.
- Use it when comparing current body weight against a common medical reference.
- Use it as one input for nutrition planning rather than a strict personal target.
How to use this calculator
- Select Gender (men generally have higher bone density/muscle mass).
- Enter your Height in feet/inches.
- View the calculated IBW in kg and lbs.
Key assumptions
- The result comes from standard ideal-body-weight formulas, not from a personalized body-composition assessment.
- These formulas are most often used as rough clinical references, including medication planning.
- Ideal body weight does not capture frame size, muscle mass, or athletic build on its own.
Accuracy and testing
Review formula sources, default test cases, assumptions, unit handling, rounding rules, and changelog for this calculator.
How this calculator works
Devine Formula (1974):
* Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet.
* Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet.
Inputs explained
Height
The primary factor. Taller individuals naturally require more mass.
Gender
Adjusts the baseline weight (50kg vs 45.5kg) to account for physiological differences.
Understanding your results
This number is a clinical baseline, not a strict aesthetic goal. A healthy weight is typically considered to be within +/- 10% of the IBW.
Example scenarios
5'10" Male
Base 50kg + (2.3 * 10 inches) = 73 kg (161 lbs).
5'4" Female
Base 45.5kg + (2.3 * 4 inches) = 54.7 kg (120 lbs).
Key Features
- Devine Formula
- Metric & Imperial Output
- Clinical Standard
Things to Keep in Mind
Does not account for age, muscle mass, or frame size. Not accurate for very short (< 5ft) or very tall individuals.
Tips & Best Practices
- If you have a large frame, add 10% to the result. If small frame, subtract 10%.
- Athletes with high muscle mass will weigh significantly more than their IBW without being 'overweight'.
- Use IBW in conjunction with BMI for a fuller picture.
Glossary of Terms
- Devine Formula
- The most widely used equation for estimating ideal body weight in adults.
- Frame Size
- A measure of skeletal width (wrist/elbow) that influences healthy weight range.