A range, not a single number
Your healthy weight depends on your frame, your muscle and your history. That is why doctors use a range: any weight that gives a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for an adult. The formulas below were built for medicine dosing in the 1960s to 1980s and give one number each; they land inside the range for most people.
| Formula | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft | 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch | 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch |
| Miller (1983) | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch |
| Hamwi (1964) | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch | 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch |
Healthy weight by height
| Height | Healthy range | Devine, women | Devine, men |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.55 m (5 ft 1) | 44 to 60 kg | 48 kg | 52 kg |
| 1.60 m (5 ft 3) | 47 to 64 kg | 52 kg | 57 kg |
| 1.65 m (5 ft 5) | 50 to 68 kg | 57 kg | 61 kg |
| 1.70 m (5 ft 7) | 53 to 72 kg | 61 kg | 66 kg |
| 1.75 m (5 ft 9) | 57 to 76 kg | 66 kg | 70 kg |
| 1.80 m (5 ft 11) | 60 to 81 kg | 70 kg | 75 kg |
| 1.85 m (6 ft 1) | 63 to 85 kg | 75 kg | 80 kg |
How to choose your own goal
- Start with a first step: 5 to 10% of your current weight already brings real health benefits.
- Think about a weight you can keep: the one you held as an adult while eating normally is often a good guide.
- Look beyond the scale: waist size and body fat tell you more about health than one number.
See how long it could take with the weight loss calculator, and check your BMI today.
Questions about ideal weight
What is my ideal weight for my height?
For an adult, any weight that gives a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. At 1.65 m (5 ft 5) that is about 50 to 68 kg (111 to 149 lb). The calculator above gives your exact range.
Which ideal weight formula is the most accurate?
None is exact for one person. Robinson and Miller tend to give lower numbers for tall people, Hamwi and Devine higher ones. The BMI range is the most widely used reference.
Is ideal weight different for women and men?
The BMI range is the same, but the classic formulas give men a few kilos more at the same height, because men usually carry more muscle and bone.
Does ideal weight change with age?
The adult range does not, but some research suggests that a BMI a little above 25 is not linked to higher risk in older adults. Talk to your doctor about your own goal.
Sources
- Pai MP, Paloucek FP. The origin of the "ideal" body weight equations. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2000.
- Robinson JD, et al. Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 1983.
- World Health Organization. A healthy lifestyle: WHO recommendations (body mass index).
This calculator gives general estimates, not medical advice. It is not suited to pregnancy, children or teens. Talk to your doctor about a goal that is right for you.