Find your ideal body weight using four established medical formulas, compared side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimated weight range that is associated with good health outcomes for a given height. It was originally developed for drug dosing calculations but is now commonly used as a general health reference. IBW does not account for muscle mass or body composition.
No single formula is universally best. The Devine formula (1974) is most commonly used in clinical settings. The Robinson and Miller formulas tend to give slightly higher values. It is best to look at the range across all formulas and consider your body frame and composition.
IBW formulas provide a rough guideline, not a strict target. Your actual healthy weight depends on your body composition (muscle vs. fat), frame size, age, and genetics. A person with significant muscle mass will weigh more than their IBW and still be very healthy.
All IBW formulas use height as the primary variable. They start with a base weight for a height of 5 feet (152.4 cm) and add a specific amount per inch above that. Taller people have proportionally higher ideal weights.
Yes. People with larger bone structures naturally weigh more at the same height. These formulas estimate for a medium frame. You can estimate frame size by measuring your wrist circumference: small frame is less than 6.5 inches for women or 7 inches for men.
These formulas were developed for medium-framed adults. They do not account for muscle mass, body fat distribution, or individual variation. Use them as a general guideline, not a strict target.