Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Discover your healthy target weight range based on your height and gender using scientifically backed formulas like Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi.
"Ideal Body Weight" (IBW) was originally introduced by insurance companies to predict life expectancy, and later adopted by the medical community to determine drug dosages. It is not necessarily the weight at which you will look your best or perform optimally in athletics.
Healthy BMI Range vs. IBW Formulas
The strict mathematical formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) attempt to pinpoint a single specific weight. However, human bodies vary wildly in muscle mass and bone structure. Therefore, the Healthy BMI Range (18.5 - 25) is generally considered a much more practical goal, as it provides a broad range within which a person is clinically at a lower risk for weight-related diseases.
Limitations of these Formulas
- They ignore body composition: A bodybuilder might be considered "overweight" by these formulas because muscle is much denser than fat.
- They ignore frame size: People naturally have different bone densities and shoulder/hip widths.
- Height limitations: Most of these formulas use a baseline of 5 feet (60 inches) and add weight for every inch over 5 feet. For individuals shorter than 5 feet, the formulas mathematically deduct weight, which can lead to inaccuracies.