Understanding Your Ideal Weight

The concept of an "ideal weight" has evolved over time. While historical formulas provide a single number, modern health professionals agree that ideal weight is more accurately represented as a healthy range. This range accounts for natural variations in body composition (like muscle and fat) and frame size. Our calculator provides estimates from several sources to give you a comprehensive perspective.

Healthy Weight based on BMI (Recommended)

The most widely accepted measure for a healthy weight is the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy for most adults. Our primary result calculates the weight range that puts you within this healthy BMI category for your specific height. This is the most reliable indicator of a healthy weight from a general health perspective.

Historical Ideal Weight Formulas

This calculator also includes results from several popular historical formulas. These were developed decades ago and are based on height and gender, but they don't account for other crucial factors. They are useful for a historical perspective but should be considered less accurate than the BMI-based range.

• G. J. Hamwi Formula (1964): Praised for its simplicity, it became a quick reference rule. It allocates a base weight for the first 5 feet of height and adds a set amount for each additional inch.
• B. J. Devine Formula (1974): Developed initially for medical dosage calculations, this formula gained widespread use for estimating ideal weight.
• J. D. Robinson Formula (1983): A modification of the Devine formula.
• D. R. Miller Formula (1983): Another modification of the Devine formula.

Limitations and Important Considerations

It is crucial to remember that these calculators are just tools for estimation. They do not account for key factors such as:

• Body Composition: A muscular athlete and an inactive person of the same height may both fall within a "healthy" range but have vastly different body compositions and health profiles.
• Body Frame Size: People naturally have small, medium, or large frames, which affects their ideal weight.
• Age: Ideal body composition can change with age.