Ideal Weight Calculator: Devine Formula

The Devine formula calculates ideal body weight based on height. Unlike BMI, which is a population-level screening tool, ideal weight formulas estimate what weight is healthy for a specific individual. The Devine formula is widely used in clinical settings, particularly for dosing medications and assessing nutritional status.

The Formula (Devine)

Ideal Weight (men) = 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5'0"
Ideal Weight (women) = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5'0"

Or in metric:

Ideal Weight (men) = 50 + 0.91 × (height_cm - 152.4)
Ideal Weight (women) = 45.5 + 0.91 × (height_cm - 152.4)

Worked Example

A woman 165 cm tall (5'5"):

Height above 152.4 cm = 165 - 152.4 = 12.6 cm
Ideal Weight = 45.5 + 0.91 × 12.6
             = 45.5 + 11.47
             = 56.97 ≈ 57 kg (125 lbs)

For a man 180 cm tall (5'11"):

Height above 152.4 cm = 180 - 152.4 = 27.6 cm
Ideal Weight = 50 + 0.91 × 27.6
             = 50 + 25.1
             = 75.1 ≈ 75 kg (165 lbs)

Ideal Weight vs BMI Range

Height	Ideal (Devine)	BMI 18.5–24.9
160 cm (5'3")	49–52 kg	47–63 kg
170 cm (5'7")	57–60 kg	53–72 kg
180 cm (5'11")	65–68 kg	60–80 kg

Devine tends to be stricter than the BMI healthy range. The BMI range accounts for natural variation; Devine targets a single "ideal."

Other Ideal Weight Formulas

Robinson Formula:

Men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5'0"
Women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5'0"

Miller Formula:

Men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5'0"
Women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5'0"

Different formulas give slightly different results; Devine is the most commonly used clinically.

Context Matters

Ideal weight depends on:

Muscle mass: An athlete with 20% body fat at "overweight" BMI may be healthier than someone at "ideal" weight with 35% body fat
Age: Older adults often do better at slightly higher weights
Frame size: Large-framed individuals naturally weigh more than small-framed
Overall health: Lab values, fitness, family history matter more than the number

Tips

Use ideal weight as a reference point, not a mandate. The goal is health, not a specific number. If you're within 10% of ideal weight and feel good, your labs are normal, and you're active, you're likely in a healthy range.

Use our Ideal Weight Calculator to estimate your healthy weight range using the Devine formula.