Util Tools What is ideal body weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimate of a healthy weight for your height, originally developed in medicine to help with drug dosing. Several formulas exist, and they disagree by a few kilograms, which is why this tool shows them side by side: the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas, plus the healthy weight range derived from a normal BMI.
Why the formulas differ by gender
The classic IBW formulas use height and apply a different baseline and per-inch increment for men and women, reflecting average differences in body composition. They were derived from population data decades ago, so they capture a typical figure rather than a personalised target. That is part of why no single formula is authoritative on its own.
Frame size and muscle matter
A major limitation of height-only formulas is that they ignore build. Two people of the same height can be healthy at noticeably different weights depending on frame size (bone structure) and muscle mass. A large-framed or muscular person may sit well above a formula's "ideal" yet be perfectly healthy, so adjust the result for your own body rather than treating it as a hard target.
Ideal weight vs. healthy weight
"Ideal weight" is a single number from a formula; a healthy weight range is the span of weights associated with a normal BMI for your height, and it is usually the more practical guide because it gives you room rather than one exact figure. Aim to land somewhere in that range and judge by how you feel, perform, and your other health markers.
For general information only and not medical advice. A healthcare professional can give guidance suited to you.
Last updated: July 2026