Healthy weight range from height via Robinson, Miller, Devine and Hamwi formulas.
Updated
Sex & units
Height
Your ideal weight band
BMI healthy range (18.5 – 24.9)
59.9 kg – 80.7 kg
Average of four classic formulas: 74.1 kg
Hamwi (1964)
77.3 kg
Devine (1974)
75.0 kg
Robinson (1983)
72.6 kg
Miller (1983)
71.5 kg
Educational only — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician for personal health decisions.
Quick start
How to estimate your ideal weight
Enter your sex and height to see the BMI healthy range plus four classic ideal-weight formulas (Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller).
Step 1
Pick sex & units
Switch between metric (cm) and imperial (ft + in).
Step 2
Enter height
Type your height. The result updates live — no Calculate button.
Step 3
Read the band
BMI 18.5 – 24.9 healthy range plus four formula anchor points so you read a band, not a single number.
In-depth guide
Ideal weight — four formulas plus the BMI healthy range
"Ideal weight" is a population statistic, not a personal verdict. Four classic formulas — Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller — each anchor a single number from your height and sex. The BMI healthy range (18.5 – 24.9 kg/m²) is wider and usually more useful. This tool shows all five so you can read the band rather than chase a single false-precision number.
The four formulas
All four take height in inches and add to a base weight for 60 inches (5 ft). The slope determines how fast the target grows with each extra inch.
Hamwi (1964) — clinical rule of thumb. Male: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch above 60. Female: 45.5 + 2.2.
Devine (1974) — most-cited in pharmacology dosing tables. Male: 50 + 2.3. Female: 45.5 + 2.3.
Miller (1983) — flatter still, US data. Male: 56.2 + 1.41. Female: 53.1 + 1.36.
For a 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) male the four come out at about 78, 75, 73, 72 kg — a 6 kg spread. The BMI 18.5–24.9 band for the same height is roughly 60–80 kg.
Why use a band, not a single number
Hamwi was published in 1964 from observational hospital data; Devine was a pharmacology heuristic; Robinson and Miller were updates with more recent population samples. None of them account for body composition, frame size, ethnicity, age or training history. A 90 kg lifter at 12% body fat is not overweight regardless of what Hamwi says.
Use the BMI 18.5–24.9 range as the wide band and the four formulas as anchor points inside it. If you carry muscle, expect to land at the upper end and that's fine.
When these formulas break down
All four were derived for adults at or above 60 inches (5 ft). Below 60 inches each formula subtracts from the base — Devine female at 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) gives 40.9 kg, which is below the BMI 18.5 floor (40 kg). The BMI band is the more reliable reference at short heights.
WHO has flagged that BMI thresholds may need adjustment for some Asian populations, with overweight starting at 23 rather than 25. If that applies to you, treat the lower half of the band as the more relevant target.
Frequently asked questions
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. The ideal weight formulas run entirely in your browser as you type. Nothing is sent to a server, stored, or logged.
Why four different formulas?
Hamwi (1964), Devine (1974), Robinson (1983) and Miller (1983) were each derived from different populations and intended for different uses. Devine is the one most commonly seen in pharmacology dosing tables. Robinson and Miller are slightly more generous than Devine. Showing all four — plus the BMI 18.5–24.9 healthy range — gives a band rather than a single false-precision number.
Is there a single 'right' ideal weight?
No. 'Ideal weight' is a population statistic; for any individual, frame size, muscle mass, ethnicity and age all shift the meaningful target. Use these formulas as a starting band, not a fixed target.
What if my height is below 5 ft (152 cm)?
All four formulas were derived for heights at or above 60 inches (5 ft). Below that they extrapolate downward and underestimate. Treat the BMI 18.5–24.9 range as the more reliable reference at short heights.
Should I aim for the lower or upper end?
It depends on body composition. If you carry significant muscle (regular resistance training), the upper end is realistic and you'll likely be lean there. If you're sedentary, the middle to lower end is more typical for a healthy body composition. Track body-fat % alongside weight rather than chasing a single number.
Is this the same as a BMI calculator?
Related but different. A BMI calculator takes your current weight and tells you your category. This calculator takes only your height and tells you the weight range that corresponds to a healthy BMI plus four classic formula targets. Use them together for a fuller picture.
Does ethnicity affect the result?
Yes — population averages differ. The four formulas were derived primarily from North American populations. WHO has flagged that BMI thresholds may need adjustment for some Asian populations (lower healthy upper bound). If that applies to you, treat the lower end of the band as the more relevant target.
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