Wondering what a "healthy" number on the scale might look like for your height? An ideal weight calculator gives you a quick reference point based on height and sex, using a clinical shortcut called the Devine formula. It's the same approach doctors and pharmacists have long used to estimate body weight for things like medication dosing.
Treat the result as a rough target, not a verdict. It doesn't know your muscle mass, frame size, or body composition, so it's best paired with other measures to get the full picture.
How the ideal weight calculator works
This calculator uses the Devine formula, originally developed in 1974. It needs just two inputs: your height and your sex.
The formula sets a base weight for the first 5 feet (60 inches) of height, then adds a fixed amount for each additional inch:
- Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft
- Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft
So if your height is *H* inches, your ideal body weight is base + 2.3 × (H − 60), where the base is 50 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women. The result is returned in kilograms and can be converted to pounds (1 kg ≈ 2.20462 lb).
You can enter height in either metric (cm) or US units (feet and inches), and the estimate updates live as you type. The formula is defined for heights of 5 feet and above; below that it isn't designed to apply.
Worked example
Example: a man who is 5 ft 10 in tall.
That's 10 inches over 5 feet, so:
50 kg + (2.3 kg × 10) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg, which is about 160.9 lb.
For a woman who is 5 ft 5 in (5 inches over 5 feet):
45.5 kg + (2.3 kg × 5) = 45.5 + 11.5 = 57 kg, or roughly 125.7 lb.
Notice both people gain the same 2.3 kg per inch; only the starting base differs (50 kg for men, 45.5 kg for women).
Things to keep in mind
- The Devine formula uses only height and sex, so it ignores frame size, age, muscle mass, and body composition entirely.
- It was created for estimating medication doses, not as a personalized health or aesthetic target, and gives a single number rather than a healthy range.
- Very muscular or athletic people can be well above their 'ideal' weight while being lean and healthy.
- It is not designed for heights under 5 feet and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or registered dietitian.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ideal weight calculator?
It's a tool that estimates your ideal body weight from your height and sex. This calculator uses the Devine formula, a widely used clinical method that starts from a base weight for 5 feet of height and adds 2.3 kg for each additional inch.
How accurate is the Devine ideal weight formula?
It gives a reasonable ballpark for average builds but only considers height and sex. Because it ignores muscle, frame size, and body fat, it can be off for athletes, very tall or short people, and anyone with an above- or below-average build. Use it as a guide, not a strict goal.
Why do men and women get different results?
The formula uses a different starting base: 50 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women at 5 feet of height. Both add the same 2.3 kg per inch above 5 feet, so at any given height the male estimate is 4.5 kg higher than the female estimate.
Is ideal weight the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly. Ideal body weight is a single estimate from a formula, while a healthy weight is usually a range (often based on BMI). Many people fall within a healthy band that spans several kilograms, so check a BMI or healthy weight calculator for a fuller picture.
What if I'm under 5 feet tall?
The Devine formula is defined for heights of 5 feet and above, so results below that aren't reliable. If you're shorter than 5 feet, this estimate isn't appropriate. Talk to a healthcare professional for guidance suited to your height.
Does this calculator work in pounds and feet?
Yes. You can enter your height in metric (cm) or US units (feet and inches), and the result can be shown in kilograms or pounds. The underlying math is the same; only the display units change.