How to Calculate Your Weight According to Your Height
Professional Ideal Body Weight (IBW) & Healthy BMI Calculator
Ideal Weight Calculator
Male
Female
Gender affects formula constants for frame size estimations.
Metric (cm)
Imperial (ft/in)
Enter your height in centimeters.
Please enter a valid height between 50 and 300 cm.
Enter feet and inches separately.
Please enter valid height measurements.
Healthy Weight Range (BMI 18.5 – 24.9)
56.7 kg – 76.2 kg
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) BMI standards.
Devine Formula (1974)
70.5 kg
Robinson Formula (1983)
69.2 kg
Miller Formula (1983)
68.5 kg
Formula Explanation: The healthy range is derived from BMI (Body Mass Index). The specific values (Devine, Robinson, Miller) are medically recognized formulas to estimate Ideal Body Weight (IBW) based on skeletal frame approximations.
Weight Formula Comparison
Visual comparison of minimum healthy weight, ideal formulas, and maximum healthy weight.
Estimated Healthy Weight Ranges for Similar Heights
Height
Healthy Min (BMI 18.5)
Ideal Average (Devine)
Healthy Max (BMI 24.9)
What is how to calculate your weight according to your height?
Understanding how to calculate your weight according to your height is a fundamental aspect of personal health management and nutritional planning. While "ideal weight" is a subjective term often influenced by societal standards, medically speaking, it refers to a weight range associated with the lowest mortality rates for a given height and gender.
This calculation is primarily used by healthcare professionals, dietitians, and fitness experts to establish baseline health goals. It is not a measure of beauty, but rather a statistical tool used to screen for potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese. The process typically involves determining your Body Mass Index (BMI) range and cross-referencing it with established equations like the Devine or Robinson formulas.
A common misconception is that there is a single "perfect" weight number. In reality, learning how to calculate your weight according to your height reveals a healthy range that accounts for muscle mass differences, bone density, and age factors.
Formula and Mathematical Explanation
To accurately answer "how to calculate your weight according to your height," we use several mathematical models. The most universally accepted method for a general range is the BMI calculation, while specific "Ideal Body Weight" (IBW) formulas offer precise targets based on gender.
1. BMI Range Method
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Minimum Healthy Weight: 18.5 × (Height in meters)²
Maximum Healthy Weight: 24.9 × (Height in meters)²
2. The Devine Formula (Most Common for Medical Dosing)
This formula assumes a base weight for a height of 5 feet and adds weight for every inch above that.
Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Variables Table
Key Variables in Weight Calculations
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range
H (Height)
Vertical stature
Meters / Inches
1.5m – 2.0m
BMI
Body Mass Index
kg/m²
18.5 – 24.9 (Healthy)
Base Weight
Starting constant for 5ft
kg
45.5 – 50.0
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: The Average Male
Consider a man who is 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm). He wants to know how to calculate your weight according to your height to set a gym goal.
Height: 70 inches (10 inches over 5 ft).
Calculation (Devine): 50 kg + (2.3 kg × 10) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg.
BMI Range: 58.6 kg to 78.9 kg.
Result: His medically ideal target is around 73 kg, but anywhere between 59 kg and 79 kg is considered healthy.
Example 2: The Petite Female
A woman stands at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm). She is concerned about her current weight of 60 kg.
Height: 62 inches (2 inches over 5 ft).
Calculation (Devine): 45.5 kg + (2.3 kg × 2) = 45.5 + 4.6 = 50.1 kg.
BMI Range: 45.6 kg to 61.4 kg.
Result: While the strict formula suggests ~50 kg, her current weight of 60 kg is well within the healthy BMI upper limit of 61.4 kg.
How to Use This Calculator
This tool simplifies the math required for how to calculate your weight according to your height. Follow these steps:
Select Your Gender: Formulas differ significantly between men and women due to average muscle mass composition.
Choose Your Units: Toggle between Metric (cm) and Imperial (ft/in) based on your preference.
Enter Height: Input your exact height. If using feet and inches, ensure accuracy as even one inch affects the result by ~2.3 kg.
Analyze Results:
The Highlighted Range is your "safe zone" based on BMI.
The Formula Values (Devine, Robinson, Miller) represent specific statistical averages often used for medication dosing or strict athletic goals.
Key Factors That Affect Weight Calculation Results
When investigating how to calculate your weight according to your height, several external factors determine the accuracy of the result:
Muscle Mass vs. Fat: Muscle tissue is denser than fat. An athlete may weigh more than the calculator suggests but still be healthy.
Bone Structure (Frame Size): People with larger wrist circumferences (large frames) naturally carry more weight. These formulas assume a medium frame.
Age: Metabolism slows with age, and muscle mass tends to decrease. Older adults may benefit from being slightly on the higher end of the BMI scale to reserve energy for illness recovery.
Hydration Levels: Daily weight fluctuates by 1-2 kg due to water retention. Always weigh yourself at the same time of day.
Pregnancy: These standard formulas do not apply to pregnant women, who require specific weight gain trajectories.
Ethnicity: Some studies suggest that BMI cutoffs should be adjusted for different ethnic groups (e.g., Asian populations often have lower BMI health thresholds).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is BMI the best way to calculate weight according to height?
It is the most common screening tool, but not the definitive diagnostic tool. It ignores muscle mass and fat distribution.
Q2: Why are there different formulas like Devine and Robinson?
These formulas were developed in different decades using different population data sets to estimate drug clearance rates, which correlates with lean body mass.
Q3: How do I calculate my weight for a large frame?
Typically, you can add 10% to the IBW result for a large frame, or subtract 10% for a small frame.
Q4: Does this calculator apply to children?
No. Children require age-specific growth charts and percentiles, not adult static formulas.
Q5: What if my weight is above the calculated range?
If you are muscular, you may be fine. If the excess weight is adipose tissue (fat), consult a doctor about potential health risks.
Q6: How often should I check my weight according to my height?
Your height rarely changes as an adult, so the target remains constant. Weigh yourself weekly to track progress relative to this target.
Q7: Can I use this for weight loss planning?
Yes, the "Healthy Min" and "Healthy Max" give you a realistic safety window for setting caloric goals.
Q8: Which formula is the most accurate?
The Devine formula is the most widely used in medical settings, while the BMI range is the standard for general public health.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Explore our other financial and health planning tools to manage your lifestyle effectively:
// Global State
var state = {
unit: 'metric', // or 'imperial'
gender: 'male',
heightCm: 175,
heightFt: 5,
heightIn: 9
};
// Initialization
window.onload = function() {
calculateWeight();
};
// Toggle Inputs
function toggleUnits() {
var u = document.getElementById('unit').value;
state.unit = u;
if(u === 'metric') {
document.getElementById('metric-input').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('imperial-input').style.display = 'none';
} else {
document.getElementById('metric-input').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('imperial-input').style.display = 'block';
}
calculateWeight();
}
// Main Calculation Logic
function calculateWeight() {
// 1. Get Inputs
state.gender = document.getElementById('gender').value;
var h_cm = 0;
// 2. Validate & Parse
if (state.unit === 'metric') {
var val = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightCm').value);
if (isNaN(val) || val 300) {
document.getElementById('err-cm').style.display = 'block';
return; // Stop calc
}
document.getElementById('err-cm').style.display = 'none';
h_cm = val;
} else {
var ft = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightFt').value);
var inc = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightIn').value);
if (isNaN(ft) || isNaN(inc) || ft 9 || inc 11) {
document.getElementById('err-imp').style.display = 'block';
return;
}
document.getElementById('err-imp').style.display = 'none';
h_cm = (ft * 30.48) + (inc * 2.54);
}
// 3. Conversions
var h_m = h_cm / 100;
var h_in_total = h_cm / 2.54;
var inches_over_60 = h_in_total – 60;
if (inches_over_60 60, Female = 45.5 + 2.3/in > 60
var devine_base = (state.gender === 'male') ? 50 : 45.5;
var devine_w = devine_base + (2.3 * inches_over_60);
// Robinson: Male = 52 + 1.9/in, Female = 49 + 1.7/in
var rob_base = (state.gender === 'male') ? 52 : 49;
var rob_rate = (state.gender === 'male') ? 1.9 : 1.7;
var robinson_w = rob_base + (rob_rate * inches_over_60);
// Miller: Male = 56.2 + 1.41/in, Female = 53.1 + 1.36/in
var mill_base = (state.gender === 'male') ? 56.2 : 53.1;
var mill_rate = (state.gender === 'male') ? 1.41 : 1.36;
var miller_w = mill_base + (mill_rate * inches_over_60);
// 6. Update UI
document.getElementById('result-range').innerText = min_bmi_w.toFixed(1) + ' kg – ' + max_bmi_w.toFixed(1) + ' kg';
document.getElementById('res-devine').innerText = devine_w.toFixed(1) + ' kg';
document.getElementById('res-robinson').innerText = robinson_w.toFixed(1) + ' kg';
document.getElementById('res-miller').innerText = miller_w.toFixed(1) + ' kg';
// 7. Update Chart
drawChart(min_bmi_w, max_bmi_w, devine_w, robinson_w, miller_w);
// 8. Update Table (Range +/- 5cm)
updateTable(h_cm, state.gender);
}
// Chart Drawing (Native Canvas)
function drawChart(min, max, devine, rob, mill) {
var canvas = document.getElementById('weightChart');
var ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
var width = canvas.width = canvas.offsetWidth;
var height = canvas.height = 300;
// Clear
ctx.clearRect(0, 0, width, height);
// Data Preparation
var data = [
{ label: 'BMI Min', val: min, color: '#28a745' },
{ label: 'Devine', val: devine, color: '#004a99' },
{ label: 'Robinson', val: rob, color: '#003366' },
{ label: 'Miller', val: mill, color: '#66b2ff' },
{ label: 'BMI Max', val: max, color: '#dc3545' }
];
// Scaling
var maxVal = Math.max(max, devine, rob, mill) * 1.1;
var barWidth = (width – 100) / 5;
var spacing = 15;
var startX = 50;
var bottomY = height – 40;
// Draw Bars
for(var i=0; i<data.length; i++) {
var barH = (data[i].val / maxVal) * (height – 60);
var x = startX + (i * (barWidth + spacing));
var y = bottomY – barH;
// Bar
ctx.fillStyle = data[i].color;
ctx.fillRect(x, y, barWidth, barH);
// Value text
ctx.fillStyle = '#000';
ctx.font = 'bold 12px sans-serif';
ctx.textAlign = 'center';
ctx.fillText(Math.round(data[i].val) + 'kg', x + barWidth/2, y – 5);
// Label text
ctx.fillStyle = '#555';
ctx.font = '11px sans-serif';
ctx.fillText(data[i].label, x + barWidth/2, bottomY + 15);
}
// Baseline
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.moveTo(startX – 10, bottomY);
ctx.lineTo(width – 10, bottomY);
ctx.strokeStyle = '#ccc';
ctx.stroke();
}
// Table Generation
function updateTable(currentCm, gender) {
var tbody = document.getElementById('comparison-table');
tbody.innerHTML = '';
// Generate rows for -2cm to +2cm
var startCm = Math.floor(currentCm) – 2;
for (var i = 0; i 60) ? inches – 60 : 0;
var base = (gender === 'male') ? 50 : 45.5;
var dev = (base + (2.3 * over60)).toFixed(1);
var tr = document.createElement('tr');
if(h === Math.floor(currentCm)) tr.style.backgroundColor = '#e6f0fa'; // Highlight current
tr.innerHTML =
'
' + h + ' cm
' +
'
' + bMin + ' kg
' +
'
' + dev + ' kg
' +
'
' + bMax + ' kg
';
tbody.appendChild(tr);
}
}
// Reset Function
function resetCalc() {
document.getElementById('gender').value = 'male';
document.getElementById('unit').value = 'metric';
document.getElementById('heightCm').value = 175;
document.getElementById('heightFt').value = 5;
document.getElementById('heightIn').value = 9;
toggleUnits(); // Calls calculateWeight
}
// Copy Results
function copyResults() {
var range = document.getElementById('result-range').innerText;
var dev = document.getElementById('res-devine').innerText;
var txt = "My Ideal Weight Calculation:\n" +
"Healthy Range (BMI): " + range + "\n" +
"Ideal Weight (Devine Formula): " + dev + "\n" +
"Calculated using the 'How to Calculate Your Weight According to Your Height' Tool.";
// Temp text area
var el = document.createElement('textarea');
el.value = txt;
document.body.appendChild(el);
el.select();
document.execCommand('copy');
document.body.removeChild(el);
var btn = document.querySelector('.btn-primary');
var original = btn.innerText;
btn.innerText = "Copied!";
btn.style.background = "#28a745";
setTimeout(function(){
btn.innerText = original;
btn.style.background = "#004a99";
}, 2000);
}