Ideal body weight calculator


Ideal body weight depends mainly on height and sex. Four common methods give close results: Devine, Robinson, Lorentz and a BMI of 22. A 5'10" man comes out around 153 to 161 lb, and a 5'4" woman around 121 to 128 lb. Enter your height in feet and inches to compare all four.
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Estimate only. No single number is the right weight for everyone; the healthy range is more useful than one figure. This tool is not a substitute for medical advice.
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📌 Key facts
- There is no single ideal weight: formulas give a range based on height and sex.
- Four common methods are Devine, Robinson, Lorentz and a BMI of 22.
- With a BMI of 22, ideal weight is 22 times height in meters squared: about 67 kg (148 lb) at 5'9".
- The healthy weight zone matches a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, which is 125 to 169 lb at 5'9".
- The result is an estimate and does not replace medical advice.
The four ideal weight formulas
No formula gives "the" ideal weight. They were built at different times for different purposes (the Devine formula was created for dosing medications). Comparing several gives an honest range. H is height in cm, "inches over 5 ft" means inches above 60 inches.
Devine (men) = 50 kg + 2.3 kg × inches over 5 ft Devine (women) = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg × inches over 5 ft Robinson (men) = 52 kg + 1.9 kg × inches over 5 ft Robinson (women) = 49 kg + 1.7 kg × inches over 5 ft Lorentz (men) = H − 100 − (H − 150) ÷ 4 Lorentz (women) = H − 100 − (H − 150) ÷ 2.5 BMI 22 = 22 × height (m)²
Devine dates from 1974 and Robinson from 1983. The Lorentz formula is common in Europe. A BMI of 22 sits in the middle of the WHO healthy range.
Devine ideal weight by height
| Height | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 100 lb (45.5 kg) | 110 lb (50 kg) |
| 5'4" | 121 lb (54.7 kg) | 131 lb (59.2 kg) |
| 5'8" | 141 lb (63.9 kg) | 151 lb (68.4 kg) |
| 6'0" | 161 lb (73.1 kg) | 171 lb (77.6 kg) |
| 6'4" | 181 lb (82.3 kg) | 191 lb (86.8 kg) |
Ideal weight or healthy weight?
Your healthy weight is the one where you feel well and your checkups look good. It can fall outside the calculated range if you are very muscular, older, or have a small or large frame. Use the BMI healthy range (18.5 to 24.9) rather than one exact number, and do not aim for the lowest value.
If you want to change your weight, the calorie calculator shows how many calories to eat.
Ideal weight calculator: a worked BMI 22 example
The simplest method uses a BMI of 22. First, square your height in meters. For 1.75 m (about 5'9"), that gives 3.0625. Then multiply by 22. The result reaches about 67.4 kg, or 148.5 lb. So a person who is 5'9" has an ideal weight near 148 lb by this method.
For 1.60 m (5'3"), the math gives 2.56 × 22, or 56.3 kg (124 lb). In contrast, for 1.90 m (6'3"), it gives 3.61 × 22, or 79.4 kg (175 lb). Therefore, each extra centimeter of height adds about 0.7 kg to the target.
Ideal weight calculator: why a range makes sense
A single number fits no one. In fact, frame size, muscle mass and age change the picture. That is why professionals talk about a healthy weight zone.
| Height | Weight at BMI 18.5 | Weight at BMI 24.9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5'3" | 104 lb | 140 lb |
| 5'7" | 118 lb | 159 lb |
| 5'11" | 133 lb | 179 lb |
| 6'3" | 148 lb | 199 lb |
So your best weight often sits inside this band, not at the exact middle.
Ideal weight calculator: link it to health and goals
A target weight should stay realistic. For example, aim first for a 5% weight loss, then reassess. Next, look at other markers such as waist size. Finally, talk to a professional if you have a condition or are still growing.
To complete the picture, use the BMI calculator, the body fat calculator and the calorie calculator. Also, the water intake calculator helps you build good habits.
Ideal weight calculator: the four formulas compared
The formulas give close results, but not identical ones. For example, for a man who is 5'9", Devine uses 110 lb plus 5.1 lb for each inch over 5 feet, which gives about 156 lb. In contrast, a BMI of 22 gives about 148 lb. So the gap can reach several pounds. Also, each formula comes from a specific era and population. Therefore, look at the average rather than one result. Finally, remember that the healthy range is more useful than a single number.
3 real-life examples
A man who is 5'10"
Inches over 5 ft: 10. Devine: \( 50 + 23 = \) 73 kg (161 lb). Robinson: \( 52 + 19 = \) 71 kg (156.5 lb). BMI 22: 153 lb. Lorentz: 156 lb. The healthy range is 129 to 174 lb.
A woman who is 5'4"
Inches over 5 ft: 4. Devine: \( 45.5 + 9.2 = \) 54.7 kg (120.6 lb). Robinson: \( 49 + 6.8 = \) 55.8 kg (123 lb). Lorentz: 127 lb. BMI 22: 128 lb. The average is about 125 lb.
A woman who is 170 cm
Lorentz: \( 170 - 100 - \dfrac{20}{2.5} = \) 62 kg. Devine: 61.4 kg. Robinson: 60.8 kg. BMI 22: 63.6 kg. All four land within 3 kg of each other.