Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal weight based on height, gender, and body frame using multiple formulas. Find a healthy weight range for your body type.
Calculate Your Ideal Weight
Enter your height and gender to calculate your ideal weight range.
Understanding Ideal Weight
The concept of "ideal weight" has evolved over time. Originally developed for insurance and medical purposes, ideal weight formulas provide estimates of weight ranges associated with lower health risks based primarily on height and gender.
This calculator uses several formulas developed by different researchers:
- Hamwi Formula (1964): Developed by Dr. G.J. Hamwi for medication dosing.
- Devine Formula (1974): Created by Dr. B.J. Devine, also for medication dosing calculations.
- Robinson Formula (1983): A modification of earlier formulas with slightly different coefficients.
- Miller Formula (1983): Another variation that tends to give higher estimates than the other formulas.
It's important to understand that ideal weight calculations are general guidelines, not absolute targets. They don't account for factors like muscle mass, bone density, body composition, age, ethnicity, or individual health conditions.
A truly "ideal" weight is one at which you feel energetic, can maintain good health markers (like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels), and can engage in physical activities you enjoy. This may fall within, below, or above the calculated ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is ideal weight?
Ideal weight refers to a weight range that is associated with optimal health outcomes based on your height, gender, and sometimes body frame. It's a general guideline rather than an exact target.
- How is ideal weight calculated?
This calculator uses the Hamwi formula, which calculates ideal weight based on height and gender. For men: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet. The formula is then adjusted for metric units if needed.
- Is ideal weight the same as healthy weight?
Ideal weight and healthy weight are related concepts, but not identical. Healthy weight encompasses a range where health risks are minimized, while ideal weight formulas often provide a single target. A healthy weight range is typically considered to be a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
- Why are there different ideal weight formulas?
Different formulas (Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller) were developed by different researchers based on different population studies and methodologies. They can give slightly different results because they emphasize different factors or were derived from different data sets.
- Should I aim for my calculated ideal weight?
The calculated ideal weight should be used as a general reference point, not an absolute goal. Individual factors like muscle mass, bone density, body composition, and overall health are more important than reaching a specific number on the scale.