Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Use this ideal body weight calculator to find your target weight based on height, biological sex, and frame size. Compare clinical standards like the Devine formula instantly in kilograms and pounds.
What is Ideal Body Weight (IBW)?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is a target weight estimate computed from height and biological sex. Medical teams originally created it to calculate drug clearances and ventilator settings, but fitness specialists now use it alongside Body Mass Index (BMI) as an objective, healthy weight benchmark.
Your ideal weight is a reference point, not an absolute verdict. Standard formulas do not measure lean body mass, bone density, or body fat distribution directly. An athlete with significant muscle mass will naturally weigh more than their standard IBW calculation without carrying unhealthy body fat.
The Medical Formulas Explained
Clinical models calculate baseline weight starting at 5 feet (60 inches) tall and scale upward for each additional inch:
Ideal Body Weight Calculator Devine Formula (Clinical Gold Standard)
Men: IBW (kg) = 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: IBW (kg) = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft)The Robinson Formula (1983 Update)
Men: IBW (kg) = 52.0 kg + 1.9 kg × (inches over 5 ft)
Women: IBW (kg) = 49.0 kg + 1.7 kg × (inches over 5 ft)Worked Calculation: 5'6" Female (Devine Formula)
Height over 5 feet: 6 inches.
Calculation: 45.5 kg + (2.3 kg × 6) = 45.5 kg + 13.8 kg = 59.3 kg (130.7 lbs).
Note: Easily switch between kilograms and pounds by multiplying kg by 2.20462 (or dividing lbs by 2.20462).
How Much Should I Weigh for My Height and Frame Size?
Your wrist circumference determines your body frame size (small, medium, or large). Use this guideline to adjust your standard height-to-weight ratio:
- Small Frame: Subtract 10% from the calculated IBW target (wrist under 5.5" for women, under 6.5" for men).
- Medium Frame: Keep the direct formula result (wrist 5.5"–6.25" for women, 6.5"–7.5" for men).
- Large Frame: Add 10% to the calculated IBW baseline (wrist over 6.25" for women, over 7.5" for men).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my ideal body weight based on height?
Your ideal weight is anchored to your height and biological sex. Medical equations establish a baseline for a 5-foot height (45.5 kg for women, 50.0 kg for men under the Devine formula) and add 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs) for each additional inch.
How do you calculate ideal body weight?
Take your height in inches above 5 feet, multiply those inches by 2.3 kg, and add that value to your sex baseline (45.5 kg for females or 50.0 kg for males). To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply the total by 2.20462.
Is BMI the same as ideal body weight?
No. Body Mass Index (BMI) categorizes weight into broad health ranges (such as normal, overweight, or obese) based on a general height-to-weight ratio. IBW provides a single target weight value originally developed for precise clinical treatment protocols.
What is a healthy weight for a 5'6 female?
Under the Devine formula, the ideal body weight for a 5'6" female is 59.3 kg (130.7 lbs). A healthy BMI weight range for that same height spans between 115 lbs and 154 lbs (52.2 kg to 69.9 kg), allowing flexibility for different frame sizes and muscularity.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Healthy Target Range (±10%): 140.3 - 171.5 lbs (63.6 - 77.8 kg)
* Ideal Body Weight (IBW) equations provide benchmark standards for clinical drug clearance, mechanical ventilation, and general health guidelines. They do not account for muscle mass in athletes or bone density. Consult a physician or registered dietitian for personalized body composition assessments.
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