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.