A reference body weight for your height

Ideal body weight

Estimate an ideal body weight reference range from height and sex, using the Devine formula.

Formula

Devine formula: 50kg + 2.3kg per inch over 5 feet (men), or 45.5kg + 2.3kg per inch over 5 feet (women)

Assumptions

• The Devine formula was originally developed for medical drug-dosage calculations, not as a fitness or health target — it doesn't account for muscle mass, body frame, or individual variation.
• This is informational only, not medical advice — a healthy weight range varies by individual and is better assessed with a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

Should I actually aim for this exact weight?
Not necessarily — this formula gives a single reference point from a medical dosing formula, not a personalized healthy-weight target. It doesn't account for muscle mass, bone structure, or body composition, all of which vary widely between individuals of the same height.

How is this different from BMI?
BMI relates weight to height using a single ratio across a "normal" range. This uses a different, older formula (Devine) that produces one specific reference number rather than a range — both are simplified population-level tools, not diagnostic measures.

Sources

• StatPearls — Conversion Weights (Devine ideal body weight formula)