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"What should I weigh?" has no single scientific answer; the most widely used approach is the Devine formula, which gives one target weight from your height and sex. In reality, ideal weight is a range, not a point — so the tool shows both the Devine figure and the healthy range for your height.
Enter your height and sex, and your ideal weight and healthy weight band are calculated instantly.
Ideal Weight Calculator: step-by-step worked example
- Sex
- Male
- Height (cm)
- 178
- 1
Convert height to inches
Inches = Height (cm) ÷ 2.54
178 ÷ 2.54 = 70.08 in
- 2
Inches above 5 ft (60 in)
Excess = max(0, Inches − 60)
70.08 − 60 = 10.08 in
- 3
Ideal weight (Devine formula)
Male: 50 + 2.3 × excess · Female: 45.5 + 2.3 × excess
50 + 2.3 × 10.08 = 73.2 kg
- 4
Weight range from a healthy BMI
Range = 18.5 × Height² … 24.9 × Height²
18.5 × 3.1684 … 24.9 × 3.1684 = 58.6 – 78.9 kg
- BMI 18.5 (lower)58.6 kg
- Devine ideal weight73.2 kg
- BMI 24.9 (upper)78.9 kg
Good to know: The Devine formula (1974) was designed for drug dosing and ignores muscle mass, frame size and age. Aim for the healthy-BMI weight range rather than a single "ideal" number; below 152 cm the formula stays at its base (50/45.5 kg).
Ideal Weight Calculator — how it works
The Devine formula
Men: 50 kg + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60) Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 × (height in inches − 60)
Height is converted to inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) and 2.3 kg is added for each inch above 5 feet (60 inches ≈ 152 cm). For a 180 cm man this gives 75.0 kg.
Why a "range" is more accurate
The Devine formula was developed in the 1970s for medication dosing; it ignores muscle mass, age and body type. So read the single number as a reference point, not a target. The healthy range (matching a BMI of 18.5–24.9) describes where you can realistically sit: for a 165 cm woman the healthy range is 50.4 – 67.8 kg while the Devine figure is 56.9 kg — the formula lands in the lower-middle of the band.
Reading your ideal weight
- If you carry a lot of muscle your ideal weight may be above the formula, and that's fine.
- When setting a goal, pick a weight within the healthy range that you feel good at and can sustain.
- To plan the pace of losing or gaining, look at your daily calorie balance — a calorie calculator gives your maintenance and deficit/surplus figures.
Body fat percentage and waist circumference describe the mirror better than a single weight; a body fat calculator and a waist-to-hip ratio calculator complete the picture.
Worked example
A man 180 cm tall: 180 ÷ 2.54 = 70.9 inches; the 10.9 inches above 60 × 2.3 = 25.0 kg; 50 + 25 = 75.0 kg ideal weight. His healthy range for that height is 59.9 – 80.7 kg — so 75 kg sits comfortably in the middle. Both 68 kg and 82 kg fall within the "healthy" bounds; the Devine value is only a reference midpoint.
Ideal weight by height (Devine formula)
| Height | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 50 kg | 45.5 kg |
| 155 cm | 52.4 kg | 47.9 kg |
| 160 cm | 56.9 kg | 52.4 kg |
| 165 cm | 61.4 kg | 56.9 kg |
| 170 cm | 65.9 kg | 61.4 kg |
| 175 cm | 70.5 kg | 66 kg |
| 180 cm | 75 kg | 70.5 kg |
| 185 cm | 79.5 kg | 75 kg |
| 190 cm | 84 kg | 79.5 kg |
| 195 cm | 88.6 kg | 84.1 kg |
| 200 cm | 93.1 kg | 88.6 kg |
Frequently asked questions
How is ideal weight calculated?+
The most common method is the Devine formula: a base of 50 kg for men, 45.5 kg for women, plus 2.3 kg for each inch (2.54 cm) above 152 cm. The tool lets you enter height in centimetres.
What is my ideal weight for my height?+
For a 180 cm man the Devine figure is about 75 kg, for a 165 cm woman about 57 kg. But the healthy range is wider; staying between the tool's lower and upper bounds is enough.
Is ideal weight a single number?+
No — although formulas give one number, a healthy ideal weight is a range (matching a BMI of 18.5–24.9). Different points within that range can be healthy depending on muscle and body type.
Why is ideal weight different for men and women?+
The Devine formula gives women a base 4.5 kg lower than men at the same height, reflecting average differences in muscle-fat distribution and body composition.
How many calories should I eat to reach my ideal weight?+
It depends on your maintenance calories and goal. Find your maintenance with a calorie calculator; to lose weight aim for roughly a 300–500 kcal deficit, to gain a surplus.
Why is my ideal weight high if I'm an athlete?+
Muscle weighs more than fat, so someone who trains regularly may exceed the formula figure and be perfectly healthy. In that case body fat percentage is a more meaningful measure than weight.
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About this page
- Publisher:
- Kalkoro — Teknolojig Bilişim Teknolojileri A.Ş., İstanbul
- Written by:
- Kübra Yıldız — Editor (Health, nutrition, pregnancy, education, exam scores)
- Reviewed by:
- Furkan Tur — Editor
Parameters come from official sources; the last update date is shown at the bottom of the page.
Spotted a wrong result? Use the "Report a bug" button at the top of the page; every report is reviewed.
How we calculate and our accuracy policy →
This tool is for general information only and is not medical diagnosis, treatment or advice. Consult a physician for decisions about your health.
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