Determine your ideal body weight based on height, gender, and frame size.
Male
Female
Small Frame
Medium Frame
Large Frame
Ideal Body Weight (Hamwi Formula):–
Healthy BMI Range (18.5 – 24.9):–
Devine Formula Result:–
Understanding Appropriate Weight
Finding your "appropriate weight" is more than just a single number on a scale. It involves evaluating your height, gender, bone structure (frame size), and muscle distribution. This calculator uses three primary scientific methods to provide a comprehensive view of what your weight should be for optimal health.
The Calculation Methods
Hamwi Formula: Historically used by clinicians, it sets a base weight for the first 5 feet of height and adds a specific amount for every additional inch.
Devine Formula: The standard for calculating Ideal Body Weight (IBW) in medical settings, especially for dosage calculations.
Healthy BMI Range: Calculated by identifying the weight range that keeps your Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 24.9, which is associated with the lowest health risks.
Example Weight Scenarios
Height
Gender
Estimated Appropriate Weight Range
5′ 4″ (163 cm)
Female
110 lbs – 145 lbs
5′ 10″ (178 cm)
Male
149 lbs – 183 lbs
6′ 2″ (188 cm)
Male
171 lbs – 209 lbs
Why Frame Size Matters
Not everyone with the same height has the same skeletal structure. A "Large Frame" individual naturally carries more bone mass and can healthily maintain a higher weight than someone with a "Small Frame" of the same height. Our calculator adjusts the results by ±10% to account for these physiological differences.
function calculateAppropriateWeight() {
var gender = document.getElementById("aw-gender").value;
var feet = parseFloat(document.getElementById("aw-height-ft").value);
var inches = parseFloat(document.getElementById("aw-height-in").value);
var frame = parseFloat(document.getElementById("aw-frame").value);
if (isNaN(feet) || feet < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid height in feet.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(inches)) inches = 0;
var totalInches = (feet * 12) + inches;
var inchesOverFiveFeet = totalInches – 60;
// 1. Hamwi Formula
var hamwiBase = (gender === "male") ? 106 : 100;
var hamwiAdd = (gender === "male") ? 6 : 5;
var hamwiResult = hamwiBase + (inchesOverFiveFeet * hamwiAdd);
if (inchesOverFiveFeet < 0) {
hamwiResult = hamwiBase – (Math.abs(inchesOverFiveFeet) * 2); // adjustment for under 5ft
}
var adjustedHamwi = hamwiResult * frame;
// 2. Devine Formula
var devineBase = (gender === "male") ? 50 : 45.5;
var devineResult = devineBase + (2.3 * inchesOverFiveFeet);
var devineLbs = devineResult * 2.20462; // Convert kg to lbs
// 3. BMI Range (18.5 to 24.9)
// Formula: Weight (lb) = [BMI x height (in)^2] / 703
var minWeight = (18.5 * Math.pow(totalInches, 2)) / 703;
var maxWeight = (24.9 * Math.pow(totalInches, 2)) / 703;
// Display Results
document.getElementById("res-hamwi").innerHTML = Math.round(adjustedHamwi) + " lbs";
document.getElementById("res-bmi-range").innerHTML = Math.round(minWeight) + " – " + Math.round(maxWeight) + " lbs";
document.getElementById("res-devine").innerHTML = Math.round(devineLbs) + " lbs";
document.getElementById("aw-results").style.display = "block";
}