Ideal Weight Calculator

What is the Ideal Weight Calculator?

The Ideal Weight Calculator compares several height- and sex-based weight estimates: Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi, Broca, and Peterson. It presents a range rather than treating one result as a personalized prescription.

Wrist circumference is shown only as height-conditioned frame information and never adjusts a weight result. The tool also shows a BMI weight range and adjusted body weight, with all calculations performed in your browser.

When to Use This Tool

• Setting Diet Goals – When you want to compare several estimates while reviewing a weight target
• Pre-checkup Self-assessment – To check your ideal weight range before a health checkup
• Exercise Planning – When setting target weight for strength training or cardio
• Nutrition Consultation Prep – To understand baseline data before consulting a nutritionist or trainer
• Height-conditioned wrist reference – When you want to view the MedlinePlus frame chart for your height band
• Formula Comparison – When you want to compare results from multiple ideal weight formulas at a glance

Key Features

• 6 Formulas Calculated at Once – Compare Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi, Broca, and Peterson formulas simultaneously.
• Height-conditioned wrist information – Wrist circumference is shown against the MedlinePlus height bands for information only and never changes ideal-weight estimates.
• Adjusted Weight Calculation – Automatically calculates adjusted body weight used for drug dosing when current weight exceeds 120% of ideal weight.
• BMI Healthy Weight Range – Shows healthy weight range based on BMI 18.5–24.9.
• Unit Toggle – Switch between Metric (cm/kg) and Imperial (ft/in/lbs) units.
• Complete Privacy Protection – All data is processed only in your browser and never stored on any server.

How to Use

1. Select Units – Choose Metric (cm/kg) or Imperial (ft/in/lbs) based on your preference.
2. Enter Height – Enter your height in your selected unit system.
3. Select Gender – Choose Male or Female. Formulas differ by gender.
4. Enter wrist circumference (optional) – Use it to view height-conditioned frame information. It does not alter formula results.
5. Enter Current Weight (Optional) – Enter if you need adjusted weight calculation.
6. View Results – Check ideal weights from 6 different formulas and recommended range.

Ideal Weight Formula Details

Devine Formula (1974) – Medical Standard

The most widely used formula, it’s the standard for drug dosage calculations including levothyroxine and immunoglobulin.

• Male: 50.0 + 2.3 × (height in inches – 60) kg
• Female: 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches – 60) kg

Robinson Formula (1983)

A weight-estimation formula that modifies Devine’s constants and per-inch increments.

• Male: 52 + 1.9 × (height in inches – 60) kg
• Female: 49 + 1.7 × (height in inches – 60) kg

Miller Formula (1983)

Developed based on the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance tables.

• Male: 56.2 + 1.41 × (height in inches – 60) kg
• Female: 53.1 + 1.36 × (height in inches – 60) kg

Hamwi Formula (1964) – Nutrition Standard

Commonly used by nutritionists and dietitians.

• Male: 48.0 + 2.7 × (height in inches – 60) kg
• Female: 45.5 + 2.2 × (height in inches – 60) kg

Broca Index (1871) – Simplest Formula

The oldest formula with 150 years of history, simple but still valid.

• Base: height(cm) – 100 (coefficient varies by height: 100/105/110)
• Male: base × 0.95
• Female: base × 0.90

Peterson Universal Formula (2016)

A more recent estimate based on target BMI and height.

• Formula: 2.2 × target BMI + 3.5 × target BMI × (height in m – 1.5)
• Male target BMI: 22, Female target BMI: 21

Height-conditioned wrist frame reference

MedlinePlus interprets wrist circumference in relation to height. These categories are informational and do not adjust any ideal-weight result in this calculator.

Women

• Height under 62 in: wrist under 5.5 in small, 5.5–5.75 in medium, over 5.75 in large
• Height 62–65 in: wrist under 6 in small, 6–6.25 in medium, over 6.25 in large
• Height over 65 in: wrist under 6.25 in small, 6.25–6.5 in medium, over 6.5 in large

Men

• Height over 65 in only: wrist 5.5 to under 6.5 in small, over 6.5 to 7.5 in medium, over 7.5 in large
• Exactly 6.5 in is not auto-classified because the source chart overlaps at that boundary. Height 65 in or below and wrist under 5.5 in are outside the chart.

Source: MedlinePlus, “Calculating body frame size”

Frequently Asked Questions