Ideal Weight Calculator
A reference target from the Devine formula, side by side with the wider healthy BMI weight band for your height.
How to use
- Pick your sex and enter your height in centimeters.
- The Devine ideal weight appears instantly.
- Compare it with the healthy BMI range shown below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Devine formula?
A 1974 equation originally created to dose medicine: 50 kg for a man at 5 feet plus 2.3 kg per extra inch, and 45.5 kg for a woman plus the same increment. It remains the most-cited “ideal body weight” formula.
Is “ideal weight” really ideal?
No single number is. The Devine result is a historical reference point; the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) shown alongside it is a wider, evidence-based band. Both are tools for orientation, not verdicts.
Why do men and women get different numbers?
The formulas anchor on different base weights at 5 feet (50 kg vs 45.5 kg), reflecting typical average body composition differences. Individual variation is far larger than this gap.
Does height above 5 feet always increase the target?
Yes — each inch over 5 feet adds 2.3 kg, and the formula never goes below the 5-foot base even for shorter heights (the increment is floored at zero).
Should I aim exactly for this weight?
Not necessarily. Body composition, fitness and where fat sits matter more than one number. Use it as a conversation starter with a professional, not a mandate.