Ideal Weight Calculator
See the healthy weight range for your height, plus the classic formula estimates doctors have used for decades. A range beats a single 'perfect' number — here's yours.
There is no single ideal weight
Two people of the same height can both be healthy at weights 15 kg apart, depending on frame, muscle and body composition. That's why the most honest answer to 'what should I weigh?' is a range — usually the span that keeps your BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 — rather than one magic number.
What the formulas are
The Devine (1974), Robinson (1983) and Hamwi (1964) formulas were created for clinical use, mainly drug dosing — not as diet targets. They estimate an 'ideal' weight from height and sex, and they disagree with each other by several kilos, which tells you how approximate the whole idea is. Use them as context, not goals.
How to pick a goal weight
Pick a target inside your healthy range that you've realistically maintained before, or start with a modest goal — even 5% below your current weight brings measurable health benefits. And define it as a range of a couple of kilos, not a single number your body is supposed to hit and hold exactly.
More on this in How to Set a Realistic Goal Weight.
Common questions
- How do I find my ideal weight?
- Start with the healthy BMI range for your height (BMI 18.5–24.9) and pick a realistic target inside it — ideally a weight you've comfortably maintained before. Frame, muscle and age all mean the 'right' weight differs between people of the same height.
- Are the Devine and Hamwi formulas accurate?
- They're rough clinical rules of thumb from the 1960s–80s, originally for medication dosing. They give a ballpark, but they ignore body composition entirely — treat them as context, not targets.
- Is it okay to aim for the top of the healthy range?
- Absolutely. Anywhere in the healthy range is a legitimate goal, and a heavier, muscular build may be healthiest near the top of it. Sustainable beats minimal.
- How fast should I try to reach my ideal weight?
- About 0.5–1 kg (1–2 lb) per week. Slower is fine and often stickier — the goal is a weight you can live at, not a number you visit.
This calculator is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.