Ideal Weight Calculator
Estimate a reference body weight from height and sex using the Devine formula, the same formula widely used in clinical medication dosing.
This is a population-average reference figure, not a personal target or medical recommendation. See our Disclaimer.
The Devine formula
Men: IBW (kg) = 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60). Women: IBW (kg) = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60). Every inch of height above 5 feet (60 inches) adds 2.3 kg to the base reference weight.
Worked example
A man who is 5'10" (70 inches) tall: 50 + 2.3 × (70 − 60) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg (about 160.9 lb).
Where this formula comes from
The Devine formula was originally developed in 1974 to help estimate medication dosing based on body size, not as a personal fitness or aesthetic target. It's still widely used in clinical settings for exactly that reason, alongside other formulas like Robinson or Miller that give slightly different reference figures.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the weight I should be trying to reach?
Not necessarily. It's a population-level reference figure used mainly in clinical dosing calculations, not a personalized health or fitness goal. Healthy weight ranges vary by frame size, muscle mass, age, and many other individual factors.
Why does the result differ from a BMI-based healthy weight range?
The Devine formula and BMI use different methods entirely — BMI relates weight to the square of height, while Devine adds a fixed amount per inch above a baseline. They're both reference tools, not a single ground truth, and can reasonably give somewhat different figures.