Discover your medically recommended target weight using the four most scientifically validated formulas based on your exact height and biological sex. This free online tool allows you to calculate your ideal weight quickly and accurately. No sign-up or installation required.
The concept of an "ideal weight" isn't a magical number that guarantees perfect aesthetics or absolute health. Instead, in the medical community, your ideal body weight (IBW) is a statistical estimation of the weight at which individuals (categorized by their height and biological sex) generally experience the lowest mortality rates and the lowest risk of developing weight-related cardiometabolic diseases.
Maintaining a weight close to your ideal range can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. However, it is essential to remember that "ideal weight" is a population-level metric. It provides an excellent baseline goal for the average person but does not account for highly individualized factors like bone density, muscle mass, and fat distribution.
Over the last several decades, medical professionals and researchers have developed multiple mathematical formulas to calculate this metric, often originally designed to help anesthesiologists calculate proper medication dosages. Our calculator simultaneously runs the four most respected formulas to give you a comprehensive average:
A modification of the older Devine formula, Robinson's calculations were designed to be far more accurate for taller individuals. It is highly regarded in clinical settings for general health assessments.
Developed around the same time as Robinson's, the Miller formula takes a slightly more conservative approach, typically resulting in slightly lower target weight recommendations for both men and women.
Originally created strictly to calculate dosages of medications like gentamicin (which distribute poorly in fat tissue), the Devine formula inadvertently became the most widely used formula for ideal body weight on the internet.
The oldest formula on our list, widely used in clinical dietetics and nutrition to establish baseline weights for nutritional interventions. It is very simple but remains remarkably consistent with modern findings.
While these formulas are incredibly useful for setting a general target, they have distinct medical limitations that you must be aware of:
Common questions regarding weight targets, health metrics, and BMI differences.