What is "Ideal" Weight?
The idea of an "ideal" weight is seductive — a single number that tells you exactly what to aim for. But biology doesn't work that way. Ideal weight depends on frame size, muscle mass, bone density, and body composition. A rugby player at 90kg might be at their ideal weight, while a sedentary office worker at the same weight is carrying too much fat.
With that said, researchers have developed several formulas to estimate a target weight range. Our ideal weight calculator uses three of the most common ones.
The Devine Formula
Developed in 1974 by Dr. GJ Devine, this formula was originally intended to estimate lean body weight for drug dosing. It accidentally became the most cited "ideal body weight" formula in medical literature.
Men: 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
Women: 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
The Hamwi Formula
The Hamwi formula was developed for similar purposes and tends to give slightly different results. It's often used alongside Devine.
Men: 48 + 2.7 × (height in inches − 60)
Women: 45.5 + 2.2 × (height in inches − 60)
BMI-Based Method
The simplest approach: take a BMI of 22 (roughly the midpoint of the healthy range) and solve for weight. This gives a number that corresponds to the weight at which most health risks are minimized.
Try using the BMI calculator to find the weight that puts you at BMI 22.
Use It as a Guide, Not a Target
These formulas are all based on population averages. They don't account for muscle mass, age-related changes, or individual variation. The best approach: use them as a rough range, then focus on how you feel, how your clothes fit, and your health markers (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar) rather than chasing a specific number.