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Guide

How to Estimate Ideal Body Weight

To estimate ideal body weight, enter your sex and height into the Ideal Weight Calculator, which compares three established formulas: Devine, Robinson and Miller. The results are estimates that often differ by a few kilograms.

Follow along with the free Ideal Weight Calculator, which runs in your browser, or browse more tools in this category.

How to use the Ideal Weight Calculator

  1. Enter your sex and height.
  2. Read the estimate from each formula.
  3. Look at the range they form rather than one number.
  4. Treat it as a rough guide.

Worked example

For a 175 cm man, Devine gives about 70.5 kg, illustrating that formulas give a range rather than a single answer.

Tips and common mistakes

  • The formulas were designed for other purposes, such as drug dosing, and are not health targets.
  • Body composition and frame size matter as much as height.
  • A healthy weight range is wider than any single formula suggests.

Frequently asked questions

Why do the formulas differ?

Each was derived differently, so they give slightly different numbers.

Is there one true ideal weight?

No. It varies with body composition, age and health.

Is this medical advice?

No.

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