The ideal body weight calculator shows the healthy weight range for your height (BMI 18.5 to 24.9), with the figure from six classic ideal body weight (IBW) equations for your sex and height beside it. You can see how far the old formulas sit from the range doctors use now.
Example: Male, 6 ft 0 in, Healthy BMI range
136.1 to 183.9lb: a healthy weight for your height
These are the weights whose BMI reads 18.5 to 24.9, the healthy range for adults.
Six older equations also give a figure for your height, listed below. Their authors wrote most of them to dose medicines, and a 2016 review found that BMI ranges have largely replaced them. None of them can tell how much of your weight is muscle. Enter your own numbers above to replace this example.
The six equations
161.2 to 178.0 lb
Broca, Robinson, Devine, Miller, Hamwi and Lemmens.
| Method | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|
| Healthy BMI rangeBMI 18.5 to 24.9 for your height | 136.1 to 183.9 lb |
| BrocaHeight in cm minus 100, less 10% for men or 15% for women | 164.4 lb |
| RobinsonFrom the 1959 Metropolitan Life height and weight tables | 162.8 lb |
| DevineWritten in 1974 for dosing medicines | 171.1 lb |
| MillerFrom the 1983 Metropolitan Life tables | 161.2 lb |
| HamwiA 1964 rule of thumb, in pounds | 178.0 lb |
| LemmensBMI 22 for your height, near the middle of the healthy range | 162.2 lb |
- Next stepReverse BMI calculatorThe weight for any BMI you choose.
- Next stepBMI calculatorWhere your current weight sits for your height.
- Next stepBody fat calculatorMuscle changes what a healthy weight looks like.
Formula: healthy weight = BMI 18.5 to 24.9 x 1.83 m x 1.83 m, to the lightest and heaviest weight whose BMI reads in that range. Robinson, Devine and Hamwi as their authors wrote them, Lemmens as published in 2005; Miller, and the Broca rule with 10% off for men and 15% for women, as this page applies them. Weights print to a tenth, which is more exact than any of these equations.
Sources: Robinson et al. 1983; Peterson et al. 2016 (Am J Clin Nutr); Lemmens et al. 2005; NICE guideline NG246; WHO 2000 (Technical Report Series 894); CDC adult BMI categories
The “ideal” weight for someone really depends on a few factors as there are several different body types.
For example, one person of a certain height may be heavily-muscled with denser bones and low body fat, so they may exceed their ideal weight estimate. This could be considered a generally healthy body composition.
On the other hand, someone else may have a very high body fat percentage but still weigh within the range or the exact weight. So unless body fat is measured and/or the individual exceeds an ideal weight excessively, the numbers can vary and aren’t always entirely reliable.
Therefore, a BMI or body mass index (a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) range may be better than other formulas used to calculate ideal body weight. (1)
For instance, the healthy BMI range for a 6-foot male is 136.1 to 183.9 lb. Pick the Broca formula instead and you get a single figure, 164.4 lb.
The latter is much more specific and doesn’t allow for much room to work with. Additionally, this isn’t necessarily “the best” weight for every male that is 6-foot tall. This calculator uses several other equations that’ll give a unique estimate similarly.
But if you want a general estimate to ensure you’re at a healthy height, then the various formulas of the ideal body weight calculator might be a helpful resource for you.
The formulas/equations used for the ideal body weight calculator include:
- BMI range equation: estimated based on body mass index
- The Broca equation: benchmark formula developed in 1871 by French Surgeon Dr. P.P. Broca that paved the way for other equations
- The Robinson equation: published in 1983 by JD Robinson and colleagues, from the 1959 Metropolitan Life height and weight tables, for drug dosing
- The Devine equation: Developed in 1974 by Dr. BJ Devine. This equation was intended to determine dosages of certain medicines
- The Miller equation: published in 1983 by DR Miller and colleagues, from the 1983 Metropolitan Life tables
- The Hamwi equation: a 1964 rule of thumb in pounds, from an American Diabetes Association diet text
- The Lemmens equation: Developed in 2005, Harry Lemmens came up with a more updated equation to address potential flaws from previous formulas
How to use the ideal body weight calculator
Pick US or Metric, your sex and your height, and the method you want shown first, then press Work out my ideal weight. The result lists every method, so you can compare them in one go.
Below, you’ll find the formulas for each equation used in the ideal body weight calculator…
BMI range equation
IBWmin [lb] = (18.5 / 703) × height[in] 2
IBWmax [lb] = (24.9 / 703) × height[in] 2
The Broca equation
Men: IBW [kg] = (height[cm] − 100) − ((height[cm] − 100) × 10%)
The Robinson equation
Men: IBW [kg] = 51.65 kg + 1.85 kg × (height[in] − 60)
The Devine equation
Men: IBW [kg] = 50 kg + 2.3 kg × (height[in] − 60)
The Miller equation
Men: IBW [kg] = 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg × (height[in] − 60)
The Hamwi equation
Men: IBW [lb] = 106 lb + 6 lb × (height[in] − 60)
The Lemmens equation
Which equation is most accurate?
The BMI range equation is definitely most ideal as it provides a body weight range as mentioned previously. Two people of the same height can look a lot different than each other depending on their body type.
Although, BMI doesn’t take into consideration body fat levels or health, but neither do any of the other formulas. (1)
However, research has shown these other equations to have clinical validity and utility where simplicity and practicality are preferred.
In fact, one scientific review found that the Broca equation is actually similarly accurate for estimating ideal body weight when compared to the more complex Robinson equation and the Hammond equation (not used in the ideal body weight calculator). (2)
And then one piece of research concluded that the Robinson equation turned out to be a superior method for calculating ideal weights in men. However, no formula was as accurate for women similarly. As a result, it was determined that it might be more useful to use BMI ranges instead of IBW formulas for men and women. (3)
So, we think most would agree that BMI range is likely the most accurate method for determining ideal body weight. It also just makes the most sense based on what we know about body types.
How can I tell if I’m at an ideal body weight?
The ideal body weight calculator is a decent tool for the purpose of determining a relatively appropriate weight. However, most people can simply look in the mirror and see whether they are unhealthily thin or have too much body fat.
No calculator will be able to give you a better estimate than what you can see and most often what the scale reads.
It’s not to say you should obsess over your weight or develop an unhealthy relationship with food to achieve a different look. But with a good exercise regime, a healthy, nutritious diet, and ensuring you’re living with minimal stress, anyone can attain a healthy and attractive-looking body.
Just make sure to track your calories and eat a proper ratio of healthy macronutrients from quality sources to ensure you reach your weight and body composition goals. And we have plenty of great resources on our site regarding diet and exercise information.
Although, you can definitely get your body fat levels checked and your waist measured. These are common methods used to determine good health, although, there are just too many factors that can determine how healthy an individual is or will be.
Also, keep in mind, women will typically have a higher body fat percentage than men which is simply biological. Not to mention, women also have a larger amount of healthier fat stores. (4)
ACE (American Council on Exercise) has a table with body fat recommendations for men and women which you can see below.
Ideal Body Fat Recommendations
| Description | Women | Men |
| Essential Fat | 10-13% | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Acceptable | 25-31% | 18-24% |
| Obesity | >32% | >25% |
Having too low or high of a body fat percentage can be detrimental to your health. Excessively low body fat can interfere with your body’s natural processes (e.g. hormones, cell health, etc) as you need a certain amount of fat for many functions. Fat is a macronutrient along with protein and carbs which means the body needs it in higher amounts than other nutrients.
Then on the opposite end, too much body fat in general or visceral fat (fat stored in the belly and around organs) is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, and artery disease.
So, don’t just aim for a certain bodyweight… strive to make lifestyle choices that’ll ensure you’re healthy inside and out.
