Health

Ideal Body Weight Calculator (1970) — Devine, Robinson & Miller

Compare classic ideal-weight formulas.

Height (cm)

Sex

Result

70.5 kg

Devine formula

Robinson

68.9 kg

Miller

68.7 kg

Disclaimer: this tool is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

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Quick summary

See ideal weight estimates from the Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas.

How to calculate ideal weight manually

Enter your input values into the Ideal Weight calculator above.
Review the formula and assumptions in the Expert Guide section.
Adjust the inputs to model different scenarios in real time.
Save or export the results once they match your scenario.

See ideal weight estimates from the Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas.

How it works

Each formula starts at a base weight for 5 ft and adds a fixed amount per inch above 5 ft.

Example

Male 175 cm → Devine ≈ 72 kg, Robinson ≈ 70 kg, Miller ≈ 70 kg.

Expert guide

Ideal body weight: useful reference, not a finish line

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) formulas were originally developed in the 1970s and 1980s to help U.S. clinicians dose medication safely. They remain a useful reference point — but they should never be treated as a precise personal goal.

The three classic clinical formulas

The Devine formula (1974) is still used by U.S. pharmacists for drug dosing in critical care, where overweight patients need precise lean-mass-based dosing. The Robinson (1983) and Miller (1983) formulas were later refinements based on updated population data. All three use only height and sex — none of them account for frame size, age, muscle mass, or ethnicity. That's why this calculator displays all three: small differences between them are completely normal.

Why IBW is a reference, not a target

Modern obesity medicine has largely moved past single-number 'ideal' weights in favor of healthy weight ranges (BMI 18.5–24.9), waist circumference, and body composition. A 5-foot-10 male with a Devine IBW of about 165 lb may be perfectly healthy at 175–190 lb if the extra weight is muscle. The healthiest weight for you is the one you can sustain with normal eating, regular activity, healthy lab values, and good energy — not the number on a 50-year-old chart.

Setting realistic personal goals

If your current weight is well above IBW or healthy BMI range, evidence consistently shows that even a 5–10% body weight reduction produces large drops in cardiovascular risk, blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes risk. Aim for 1–2 lb of weight loss per week through a moderate calorie deficit and consistent strength + cardio. Long-term maintenance is far more valuable than reaching an exact 'ideal' number that doesn't match your body.

Frequently asked questions

Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?

None of them is universally most accurate — they're all reference equations from population averages. Devine is the most widely used in U.S. clinical practice for medication dosing. For personal health goals, body composition (lean mass + body fat %) is far more meaningful than any single 'ideal' number.

Should I aim for my exact ideal weight?

Not necessarily. A healthy weight is a range, not a single value. The CDC's healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) typically spans 30+ pounds for any given height. Focus on body composition, fitness level, and sustainable habits rather than chasing a 50-year-old formula's exact number.

How does ideal weight differ from healthy weight?

Ideal weight is a single number from a clinical formula based only on height and sex. Healthy weight is a range (BMI 18.5–24.9 per the CDC) that accounts for the natural variation in body composition. Most adults can be healthy across a 20–30 lb range at any given height.

Fact-checked by Calcly Editorial Team

Editorial disclaimer

For informational purposes only. Consult a certified medical professional before making health decisions.

How we calculate your ideal weight

Devine: men 50 + 2.3·(in − 60),  women 45.5 + 2.3·(in − 60)

We display three clinical reference formulas widely used in U.S. medicine: Devine (1974, used for drug dosing), Robinson (1983), and Miller (1983). All are based on height and sex, and all produce a single 'ideal' value rather than a healthy range. Use them as references — a healthy weight range is broader and depends on body composition, age, and ethnicity.