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Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Devine Formula)

Estimate ideal body weight from height and sex using the Devine formula, in metric (cm) or imperial (in) units.

Ideal weight (Devine formula)
70.5 kg

How it works

This uses the Devine formula (1974), the most widely cited 'ideal body weight' formula and still the reference used for some medical drug-dosing calculations. It's a simple linear formula measured against a 5-foot (60 inch) baseline: for men, ideal weight (kg) = 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60); for women, ideal weight (kg) = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60).

The formula's coefficients are calibrated for inches, so metric (cm) entries are converted to inches before the calculation runs and back afterward — the result is identical either way.

FAQ

Is 'ideal body weight' the same as a healthy weight target?

Not exactly — Devine's formula was originally developed to estimate a reference weight for calculating medication dosages, not as personal health advice. It doesn't account for build, muscle mass, or individual variation the way a range (like a healthy BMI band) does, so treat it as one reference point, not a strict target.

Why does the formula only depend on height and sex?

Devine's formula is intentionally simple — a single linear relationship per sex — which is exactly why it's remained in clinical use for decades despite newer, more complex formulas existing. It trades precision for being quick and consistent to calculate.

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