# Ideal weight calculator

> There is no single ideal weight. Height, sex, and body composition all matter. A healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 works out to 125 to 169 lb at 5 ft 9 in. The Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas give one number each: 156, 152, and 152 lb for a man who is 5 ft 9 in. Every number here is an estimate for adults, not a goal.

Source: https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/ideal-weight/ · Updated 11/06/2026 · en-US

## A healthy weight range by height

Public health groups like the CDC start with the weight range that matches a **healthy BMI**, 18.5 to 24.9. The range is the same for men and women, and it is wide on purpose, since healthy bodies come in different builds.

```
Lowest healthy weight (lb) = 18.5 × height (in)² ÷ 703
Highest healthy weight (lb) = 24.9 × height (in)² ÷ 703
```
Example: 5 ft 9 in is 69 inches, and 69² = 4,761. Lowest = 18.5 × 4,761 ÷ 703 = 125.3 lb. Highest = 24.9 × 4,761 ÷ 703 = 168.6 lb.

| Height | Lowest (BMI 18.5) | Highest (BMI 24.9) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 4 ft 10 in | 89 lb | 119 lb |
| 5 ft 0 in | 95 lb | 127 lb |
| 5 ft 2 in | 101 lb | 136 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 108 lb | 145 lb |
| 5 ft 6 in | 115 lb | 154 lb |
| 5 ft 8 in | 122 lb | 164 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 129 lb | 174 lb |
| 6 ft 0 in | 136 lb | 184 lb |
| 6 ft 2 in | 144 lb | 194 lb |

Healthy weight range for adults, rounded to the nearest pound.

To see where your own weight lands on the scale, use the [BMI calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/bmi/).

## The classic ideal weight formulas

Devine, Robinson, and Miller were written to help pharmacists dose medicine, not to set body goals. Each one starts with a base weight at 5 ft and adds a set amount for every inch above that.

| Formula | Men | Women |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Devine (1974) | 110.2 lb + 5.07 lb per inch over 5 ft | 100.3 lb + 5.07 lb per inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 114.6 lb + 4.19 lb per inch over 5 ft | 108.0 lb + 3.75 lb per inch over 5 ft |
| Miller (1983) | 123.9 lb + 3.11 lb per inch over 5 ft | 117.1 lb + 3.00 lb per inch over 5 ft |

US-unit versions of the original kilogram formulas, with the per-inch amounts rounded to two decimals.

```
Devine (woman) = 100.3 + 5.07 × (height in inches − 60)
```
Example: a woman who is 5 ft 4 in is 64 inches. Inches over 5 ft = 4. Devine = 100.3 + 5.07 × 4 = 120.6 lb. Robinson gives 123.0 lb and Miller 129.1 lb.

## Ideal weight by age and other limits

For adults, the healthy range and the formulas stay the same at every age. What changes with age is body composition: many older adults lose muscle, and weight guidance for seniors is best set with a doctor. For kids and teens, doctors use growth charts instead.

- Muscle mass, bone structure, pregnancy, illness, and medications are not part of any formula here.
- Treat each result as an estimate. A doctor or registered dietitian should guide any weight change.
- For daily energy needs, try the [BMR calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/bmr/). For body composition, use the [body fat calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/body-fat/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I calculate my ideal weight?

Multiply 18.5 and 24.9 by your height in inches squared, then divide each by 703. That gives the healthy range in pounds. At 5 ft 4 in (64 inches), the range is 107.8 to 145.1 lb.

### What is the ideal weight for a woman who is 5 ft 4 in?

The healthy BMI range is about 108 to 145 lb. The classic formulas land between 121 and 129 lb for a woman at this height.

### What is the ideal weight for a man who is 5 ft 10 in?

The healthy BMI range is about 129 to 174 lb. Devine, Robinson, and Miller give roughly 161, 157, and 155 lb.

### Does ideal weight change with age?

Not in these formulas. The 18.5 to 24.9 BMI range applies to adults of every age, although body composition shifts over time. A doctor can help set a target for older adults.

### What is the difference between ideal weight and healthy weight?

Healthy weight is a range, the one that matches a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Ideal weight usually means one number from a formula, which ignores muscle and body build.

### Is ideal weight accurate if I lift weights?

Not very. Muscle is dense, so BMI and the classic formulas can overstate what you should weigh down. Body fat percentage and waist size are better guides for people who train.