Find your ideal weight range. Enter your height and gender, and see the healthy weight range for your height using the Devine formula.
1. Enter your height in centimetres. 2. Choose your gender. 3. Click Calculate Ideal Weight to see your ideal weight and healthy range.
Most people know their weight, but few know what their weight should be. This free ideal weight calculator gives you a healthy target based on your height and gender, using the Devine formula, which doctors have used for decades. Enter your height and gender, and it shows your ideal weight and a healthy range of 10 percent above and below it. The range matters more than the single number, because healthy weight is not one exact figure — it is a band, and any weight inside it is fine.
Ideal weight is a guide, not a rule. Your frame size, muscle, age and health all affect what is healthy for you. A muscular person can weigh more than the ideal and still be healthy, because muscle weighs more than fat. Use this calculator as a starting point for a goal, then check your BMI and, if needed, ask a doctor or dietitian to set a personal target.
Suppose a man is 175 cm tall. Convert the height to inches: 175 divided by 2.54 is about 68.9 inches. That is 8.9 inches over 5 feet (60 inches). The Devine formula for men is 50 kg plus 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet, so 50 plus 2.3 times 8.9 is about 70.5 kg. The healthy range is 10 percent below and above, which is about 63.4 to 77.5 kg. Enter 175 cm and Male in the calculator above and check that your result matches.
Now take a woman who is 160 cm tall. In inches that is 160 divided by 2.54, which is about 63.0 inches, or 3.0 inches over 5 feet. The Devine formula for women is 45.5 kg plus 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet, so 45.5 plus 2.3 times 3.0 is about 52.4 kg. The healthy range is about 47.2 to 57.6 kg. Try it in the calculator: enter 160 cm and Female, and check that your result matches about 52.4 kg. Notice that the ideal weight for women is lower than for men at the same height, because the formula starts from a lower base weight.
The Devine formula was published in 1974 and is still widely used. For men: ideal weight in kg = 50 + 2.3 x (height in inches - 60). For women: ideal weight in kg = 45.5 + 2.3 x (height in inches - 60). The 60 inches is 5 feet, so the formula only adds weight for height above 5 feet. For example, a man who is 72 inches tall (6 feet) has 12 inches over 5 feet, so his ideal weight is 50 plus 2.3 times 12, which is 77.6 kg. The healthy range is the ideal weight plus or minus 10 percent.
Aim for the range, not one number. Any weight inside the healthy range is fine, so do not chase a single exact figure. Check your BMI too. Your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9; use our BMI calculator to check it. Set small goals. If you are far from your range, aim to lose or gain 5 percent first, then continue. Weigh yourself the same way each time. Weigh in the morning, before breakfast, in similar clothes. Talk to a doctor. If your weight is far outside the range, or you have a health condition, get personal advice.
Entering height in feet. The calculator needs centimetres: 175, not 5.9. Chasing one exact number. Healthy weight is a range, so a few kilograms either way is normal. Ignoring muscle. A very muscular person can be above the ideal weight and still be healthy, because muscle is heavier than fat. Forgetting age. Older adults often carry a little more weight healthily, so the formula is a guide, not a rule. Crash dieting to reach the number. Losing weight too fast is unhealthy; aim for 0.5 to 1 kg per week at most.
Pro Tip: Your BMI and your ideal weight should agree. If your weight is inside the ideal range, your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9 — check both with our calculators.
Note: This calculator uses the Devine formula for adults. It is a general guide only and is not medical advice. Children, pregnant women and athletes should ask a doctor.
Your healthy weight is a range, not one number. The ideal weight shown here comes from a formula, but real bodies differ: bone size, muscle and body shape all move the healthy range up or down. Instead of chasing one exact number, aim to stay inside the range, eat well, move every day, and ask your doctor if you are unsure. How you feel and how active you are matter as much as the number on the scale.
What is ideal weight? Ideal weight is the weight range considered healthy for your height and gender. This calculator uses the Devine formula and shows a healthy range of 10 percent above and below the ideal weight.
How is ideal weight calculated? With the Devine formula: for men, 50 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch of height over 5 feet; for women, 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet.
Is ideal weight the same as BMI? No, but they are related. BMI uses your actual weight and height, while ideal weight gives you a target. If your weight is in the ideal range, your BMI is usually between 18.5 and 24.9.
Can I be healthy above my ideal weight? Yes, sometimes. Very muscular people weigh more than the ideal because muscle is heavy. The formula is a guide for average adults, not a rule for everyone.
What is a healthy weight for a 175 cm man? About 70.5 kg, with a healthy range of roughly 63.4 to 77.5 kg, according to the Devine formula.
Does ideal weight change with age? The Devine formula does not include age, but in practice older adults often carry a little more weight healthily. Always consider your age and health, not just the formula.
How do I reach my ideal weight safely? Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and aim to lose or gain no more than 0.5 to 1 kg per week. Fast weight loss is unhealthy and hard to keep off.
Is this calculator for children? No. Children's healthy weight depends on age and growth charts, so this adult formula should not be used for children.