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Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Estimate ideal weight using the Devine formula
Body Composition
cm
What This Calculator Measures
The Ideal Body Weight (IBW) calculator estimates a healthy reference weight based on your height and sex using the Devine formula. Originally developed in 1974 for pharmaceutical dosing calculations, it has since been widely adopted as a general health reference.
How It Works
The Devine formula:
•**Male:** IBW = 50 + 2.3 x (height in inches - 60)
•**Female:** IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 x (height in inches - 60)
The result represents a midpoint estimate. A healthy weight range is typically considered to be within ±10% of the ideal value.
| Height (cm) | Male IBW (kg) | Female IBW (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 165 | 62.1 | 57.6 |
| 170 | 66.6 | 62.1 |
| 175 | 71.1 | 66.6 |
| 180 | 75.6 | 71.1 |
| 185 | 80.1 | 75.6 |
Context for Lifters
For resistance-trained individuals, the Devine formula significantly underestimates a healthy weight because it does not account for muscle mass. A well-muscled 180 cm male might weigh 90+ kg while being lean and healthy, well above the formula's 75.6 kg estimate.
Limitations
•Does not account for body composition, frame size, or muscle mass.
•Most useful as a general reference for untrained, average-build populations.
•Lifters and athletes should use body fat percentage and FFMI as more meaningful targets instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Devine formula for ideal body weight?
- For men, it's 110 lbs + 5.06 lbs for each inch over 5 feet. So a 5'10" guy has an ideal weight of about 166 lbs. It was originally created for drug dosing, not fitness, so take it with a grain of salt.
- Is ideal body weight useful for lifters?
- Not really. These formulas assume an average body composition and don't account for muscle mass. A muscular 5'10" guy at 190 lbs might be healthier than a sedentary one at 166 lbs. Use it as a general reference, not a target.
- What should my goal weight be if I lift weights?
- Forget ideal body weight formulas and focus on body fat percentage instead. A good target is 12-18% body fat at whatever weight that puts you at. For most lifters, that's 15-30 lbs above the Devine formula's "ideal" number.
- Why do different formulas give different ideal weights?
- Because they were created by different researchers for different populations and purposes. Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas each use slightly different math. None of them were designed with muscular athletes in mind.