Ideal Body Weight
Definition
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is a clinically estimated weight range considered healthy for your height, sex, and frame size. Several formulas exist — the most commonly used in US clinical practice are: Robinson formula (men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 ft; women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 ft), Hamwi formula (men: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 ft; women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 ft), and Devine formula (men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft; women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft). IBW is used for drug dosing, ventilator settings, and general health targets.
Why is Ideal Body Weight Important?
Understanding Ideal Body Weight empowers you to take control of your personal health and wellness. Whether you are tracking body composition, planning nutrition, or evaluating fitness metrics, this concept provides the foundation for making informed health decisions backed by science.
Our health calculators make these metrics accessible and easy to compute, giving you instant, evidence-based results so you can focus on achieving your wellness goals rather than crunching numbers.
What is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is a clinically estimated weight range considered healthy for a given height, sex, and body frame. IBW is used extensively in clinical medicine for drug dosing, ventilator settings, nutrition calculations, and as a general health target.
IBW Formulas
| Formula | Men | Women | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | Most commonly used in US hospitals |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | 49 kg + 1.7 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | Considered more accurate overall |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | Nutrition and dietetics |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg × (inches over 5 ft) | Research, alternative estimate |
Ideal Weight Reference Table (Devine Formula)
| Height | Male IBW | Female IBW |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 110 lbs | 100 lbs |
| 5'4" | 130 lbs | 120 lbs |
| 5'6" | 142 lbs | 130 lbs |
| 5'8" | 153 lbs | 141 lbs |
| 5'10" | 163 lbs | 151 lbs |
| 6'0" | 174 lbs | 161 lbs |
| 6'2" | 184 lbs | 172 lbs |
Limitations of IBW
- Ignores muscle mass — Athletes and muscular individuals will weigh significantly more than IBW formulas predict, while being perfectly healthy
- Frame size not considered — Someone with a large skeletal frame naturally weighs more
- Race/ethnicity gaps — Formulas were developed primarily on Caucasian populations
- IBW ≠ healthiest weight — Body fat percentage and waist circumference are better health indicators