How to Use the Ideal Weight Calculator
Enter your height using either feet and inches or centimeters, then select your gender. The calculator applies four well-known medical formulas: Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi. Each formula produces a slightly different estimate, giving you a range of ideal weights rather than a single rigid number. The Devine formula is highlighted as the most commonly referenced in clinical practice.
Understanding the Ideal Weight Formulas
Each formula was developed by a different researcher and uses a slightly different approach to estimate ideal weight based on height. The Devine formula (1974) is the most widely used in medicine, particularly for drug dosing. The Robinson formula (1983) was developed as a refinement. The Miller formula (1983) tends to allow for slightly higher weights. The Hamwi formula (1964) is one of the oldest and is still used by many dietitians.
Using Your Ideal Weight Range
Rather than fixating on a single number, use the range provided by all four formulas as a guide. Your actual ideal weight depends on factors these formulas cannot account for, including muscle mass, bone density, body fat distribution, and overall fitness level. A weight within or near this range, combined with good health markers, is a reasonable goal for most adults.