Quick answer: Your ideal weight depends on a few things. These include your height, if you are male or female, and your body build. The Devine formula suggests men aim for about 50 kg, plus 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. For women, it’s 45.5 kg, plus 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. A healthy target is usually a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for your height. Remember, this is a range, not one exact number.
Quick answer: Your ideal weight isn’t just one number. It changes based on your height, sex, and even your body frame. A fast way to guess is using the Devine formula. For men, start with 50 kg, then add 2.3 kg for each inch you are over 5 feet. For women, start with 45.5 kg and add 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet. An even simpler goal is to keep your BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Both of these are just guides. Your muscles, body frame, and overall body makeup also play a big part.
Many people ask, “What should I weigh?” There’s no single perfect answer. But some well-known formulas can give you a good target range. I’ll show you the methods doctors use, a quick chart, and why the number on your scale isn’t the whole story.
Common ideal weight formulas
There are a few math equations that guess your ideal body weight (IBW) based on your height. These formulas usually give similar results if your weight is in a normal range.
| Formula | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch over 5 ft | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg/inch over 5 ft | 49 kg + 1.7 kg/inch over 5 ft |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg/inch over 5 ft | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg/inch over 5 ft |
Our free Ideal Weight calculator uses all these formulas at once. It helps you find a target range instead of just one number.
The BMI healthy range method
The easiest way to find your healthy weight is to look at your Body Mass Index (BMI). You want your BMI to be in the healthy zone, which is between 18.5 and 24.9. Here’s how it works: BMI = your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters, squared. To find your healthy weight range, you multiply your height (in meters, squared) by 18.5 for the low end and by 24.9 for the high end.
| Height | Healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) | 46–61 kg (101–135 lb) |
| 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | 52–70 kg (115–154 lb) |
| 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 59–79 kg (130–174 lb) |
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 65–88 kg (144–194 lb) |
If you want to learn more, check out our guides on how BMI is calculated and what BMI categories mean. Or, you can jump straight to our BMI calculator.
Why “ideal weight” is just a guess
These formulas were first made to help doctors figure out medicine doses or to look at average weights for large groups of people. They weren’t meant to be a strict personal goal. These formulas don’t really consider a few important things:
- Muscle mass: A person who is very fit and has a lot of muscle might weigh more than the “ideal.” But they can still be very healthy! It’s better to check your body fat percentage instead.
- Frame size: If you have a larger bone structure, you’ll naturally carry more weight.
- Age and sex differences: How much muscle and fat you have changes with age and if you are male or female.
To get a better idea of your health, combine your weight with your body-fat percentage, your waist-to-hip ratio, and how you feel and perform each day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal weight for my height?
You can use the Devine formula or aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. For instance, if you’re 5 ft 6 in tall, a healthy weight range is usually about 52–70 kg (115–154 lb).
Is ideal weight different for men and women?
Yes, it is. For the same height, the formulas usually suggest that women have a slightly lower ideal weight than men. This is because men and women tend to have different amounts of muscle and fat on average.
Should I aim for one exact ideal weight number?
No, you shouldn’t. Think of it as the middle of a healthy range. How much muscle you have, how fit you are, and how you feel are much more important than hitting one specific number on the scale.
Does muscle affect ideal weight?
Yes, it does. Muscle is heavier and more dense than fat. So, active people who have a lot of muscle often weigh more than what these formulas suggest. But they can still be very healthy.
{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the ideal weight for my height?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Use the Devine formula or the BMI healthy range (18.5-24.9). For example, a 5 ft 6 in adult has a healthy range of roughly 52-70 kg (115-154 lb).”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is ideal weight different for men and women?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes. For the same height, formulas give women a slightly lower ideal weight than men, reflecting average body-composition differences.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Should I aim for the exact ideal weight number?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No. Treat it as the centre of a healthy range. Body composition and fitness matter more than one precise figure.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Does muscle affect ideal weight?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes. Muscle is denser than fat, so athletic people often weigh more than the formulas suggest while being perfectly healthy.”}}]}
verified_user Editorial Guidelines
Written by real humans with real-world experience. Our content at CalcaTools prioritizes factual accuracy, usability, and your privacy. We continuously review our articles to ensure they meet modern E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) standards.