Ideal Weight Calculator

Calculate your ideal weight by height and frame size using the Devine formula.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: Pai & Paloucek, Ann Pharmacother 2000 — the origin of the 'ideal' body weight equations

Height Unit
ft
in
Sex
Frame Size
lbs

Ideal Weight

160.9 lbs

Ideal Weight

73.0 kg

Weight Details

Ideal Weight (Devine Formula)160.9 lbs / 73.0 kg
Frame Adjustment (medium)None
Healthy BMI Range (lbs)129 - 174 lbs
Healthy BMI Range (kg)58 - 79 kg

Use the Ideal Weight Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Results are estimates from standard formulas and the numbers you enter. Talk to a doctor or another qualified health professional about your own health before acting on them.

How It Works

Built on the Devine formula, this tool estimates an ideal body weight from your height, sex and frame size, and it also shows the weight range that matches a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 for your height, the band the CDC calls healthy weight. If you enter your current weight, it shows how far you are above or below the Devine figure.

The Devine formula began as a way to calculate medication doses and was later adapted to estimate ideal body weight (IBW). For men it sets a base of 50 kg and adds 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet; for women the base is 45.5 kg with the same 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. To account for build, the result is nudged up or down by 10% for a large or small frame, which produces a more nuanced ideal weight range than a single fixed number.

Treat the output as a guideline rather than a hard target, since body composition and muscle mass pull individual numbers in either direction. Fixating on the scale alone overlooks body fat percentage and general fitness, which often tell you more about health than weight does. This calculator is educational and does not replace the judgment of a healthcare professional who can advise on your situation.

Example: Calculating Ideal Weight for a 5'8" Woman with a Medium Frame

  1. 1 Input: Height = 5 feet 8 inches, Gender = Female, Frame Size = Medium.
  2. 2 Calculation: For a 5'8" woman, the initial Devine formula calculation is 45.5 kg + (2.3 kg * 8 inches) = 45.5 kg + 18.4 kg = 63.9 kg. Since the frame size is medium, no further adjustment is made.
  3. 3 Result: Her ideal weight is approximately 63.9 kg (140.9 lbs).
  4. 4 Context: This ideal weight represents a healthy benchmark. For a large frame, the result would be 10% higher (around 70.3 kg), and for a small frame, 10% lower (around 57.5 kg), illustrating the impact of frame size on the ideal range.

Source: Pai & Paloucek, Ann Pharmacother 2000 — the origin of the 'ideal' body weight equations · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my ideal weight?
The Devine formula sets ideal body weight at 50 kg (about 110 pounds) plus 2.3 kg (about 5.07 pounds) per inch over 5 feet for men, or 45.5 kg (about 100 pounds) plus 2.3 kg per inch for women. A 5-foot-10 man comes out at 50 + 10 × 2.3 = 73 kg, or about 160.9 pounds.
How accurate are ideal weight calculators?
Ideal weight formulas are rough estimates that do not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition. A muscular athlete may weigh more than the "ideal" while being very healthy. Use BMI and body fat percentage for a more complete picture.
What is a healthy weight for my height?
A healthy BMI range (18.5-24.9) provides a weight range. For a 5 foot 8 person, that is about 122-164 pounds. Talk to your doctor for personalized advice accounting for your build, age, and health history.

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