How to Calculate Your Weight with Your Height – Ideal Weight Calculator
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Estimated Ideal Weight (Average)
166 lbs
Based on an average of 4 major medical formulas.
Formula Comparison
| Method |
Calculated Weight |
Description |
Weight Range Visualization
What is "How to Calculate Your Weight with Your Height"?
When people ask how to calculate your weight with your height, they are typically looking for the "Ideal Body Weight" (IBW). This is a medical and fitness metric used to determine a healthy weight target based on a person's stature. Unlike a scale which tells you what you do weigh, these calculations tell you what you should theoretically weigh to minimize health risks associated with obesity or being underweight.
It is important to understand that calculating weight from height is an estimation. It does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body composition (fat vs. muscle). Therefore, athletes may calculate as "overweight" using these formulas despite being healthy. However, for the general population, knowing how to calculate your weight with your height provides a vital baseline for health monitoring.
Formulas and Mathematical Explanation
There isn't just one way to answer how to calculate your weight with your height. Over the decades, medical researchers have developed several formulas. The most common ones assume a base weight for a height of 5 feet, adding a specific amount of weight for every inch over 5 feet.
The Devine Formula (1974)
Originally designed to calculate drug dosages, this is the most widely used formula today.
- Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
The Robinson Formula (1983)
Developed to improve upon Devine's formula based on updated population data.
- Men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
Variables Table
| Variable |
Meaning |
Unit |
Typical Range |
| Base Weight |
Starting weight for 5ft height |
kg / lbs |
45-56 kg |
| Height Factor |
Weight added per inch > 5ft |
kg / inch |
1.4 – 2.7 kg |
| Height |
Stature of the individual |
cm / inches |
140 – 210 cm |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: The Average Male
Consider a male who is 5 feet 10 inches tall (70 inches total). He wants to know how to calculate your weight with your height using the Devine formula.
- Height over 5ft: 10 inches
- Calculation: 50 kg + (2.3 kg × 10) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg
- Result: 73 kg (approx. 161 lbs) is his ideal weight.
Example 2: The Petite Female
A female is 5 feet 2 inches tall (62 inches). Using the Robinson formula:
- Height over 5ft: 2 inches
- Calculation: 49 kg + (1.7 kg × 2) = 49 + 3.4 = 52.4 kg
- Result: 52.4 kg (approx. 115 lbs) is her target weight.
How to Use This Calculator
Our tool simplifies the complex math involved in how to calculate your weight with your height. Follow these steps:
- Select Gender: Choose Male or Female. This adjusts the base weight and multiplier in the formulas.
- Choose Unit System: Select Imperial (Feet/Inches) or Metric (Centimeters) based on your preference.
- Enter Height: Input your accurate height. If you are unsure, measure yourself without shoes against a flat wall.
- Review Results: The calculator provides an average of the four major formulas, plus a healthy BMI range.
- Analyze the Chart: Use the visual chart to see where the different formulas land compared to the healthy BMI range.
Key Factors That Affect Results
When learning how to calculate your weight with your height, consider these six factors that standard formulas might miss:
- Muscle Mass: Muscle is denser than fat. A bodybuilder will weigh significantly more than the "ideal" weight but have a low body fat percentage.
- Bone Frame Size: People with larger wrist and ankle circumferences (large frame) naturally carry more weight than those with small frames.
- Age: As we age, muscle mass tends to decrease and fat storage patterns change, which can alter what is considered a "healthy" weight.
- Body Shape: Distribution of weight (apple vs. pear shape) affects health risks. Visceral fat (belly fat) is riskier than subcutaneous fat.
- Pregnancy: These formulas are not applicable for pregnant women, who have specific weight gain guidelines.
- Health Conditions: Certain conditions like edema (water retention) can artificially inflate weight, making these calculations less relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the result from this calculator my absolute limit?
No. The result is a statistical average. A healthy weight is generally a range, not a single number. Look at the "Healthy BMI Range" output for a broader target.
Why do different formulas give different results?
The formulas (Devine, Robinson, Miller, Hamwi) were developed in different decades using different population data. Devine is often the standard, but Miller is sometimes preferred for modern populations.
Does this apply to children?
No. Children and teenagers require specialized growth charts (CDC or WHO percentiles) because their height and weight relationship changes rapidly during development.
How does gender affect the calculation?
Biologically, men tend to have more muscle mass and heavier bone density than women of the same height. The formulas account for this by starting with a higher base weight for men.
What if I am very short (under 5 feet)?
Standard IBW formulas are less accurate under 5 feet. In these cases, the BMI range is often a better indicator of healthy weight than the linear equations.
Can I use this for weight loss goals?
Yes, knowing how to calculate your weight with your height gives you a realistic long-term goal. However, consult a doctor before starting any weight loss program.
What is the difference between IBW and BMI?
IBW (Ideal Body Weight) gives a specific weight in pounds/kg. BMI (Body Mass Index) is a score derived from weight and height. BMI is used to categorize weight (underweight, normal, overweight), while IBW targets a specific number.
Is 50kg the base for everyone?
No. In the Devine formula, 50kg is the base for men, while 45.5kg is the base for women. This 4.5kg difference accounts for physiological differences.
// Global variables for chart
var weightChartCanvas = document.getElementById('weightChart');
var ctx = weightChartCanvas.getContext('2d');
// Initialize calculator
window.onload = function() {
calculateWeight();
};
function toggleUnits() {
var system = document.getElementById('unitSystem').value;
var imperialDiv = document.getElementById('imperialInputs');
var metricDiv = document.getElementById('metricInputs');
if (system === 'imperial') {
imperialDiv.style.display = 'block';
metricDiv.style.display = 'none';
} else {
imperialDiv.style.display = 'none';
metricDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
calculateWeight();
}
function calculateWeight() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var gender = document.getElementById('gender').value;
var system = document.getElementById('unitSystem').value;
var heightInInches = 0;
var heightInCm = 0;
if (system === 'imperial') {
var ft = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightFt').value) || 0;
var inch = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightIn').value) || 0;
heightInInches = (ft * 12) + inch;
heightInCm = heightInInches * 2.54;
} else {
heightInCm = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightCm').value) || 0;
heightInInches = heightInCm / 2.54;
}
// Validation
if (heightInInches 60
devine = 50 + (2.3 * inchesOver60);
// Robinson: 52kg + 1.9kg per inch > 60
robinson = 52 + (1.9 * inchesOver60);
// Miller: 56.2kg + 1.41kg per inch > 60
miller = 56.2 + (1.41 * inchesOver60);
// Hamwi: 48kg + 2.7kg per inch > 60
hamwi = 48 + (2.7 * inchesOver60);
} else {
// Devine: 45.5kg + 2.3kg per inch > 60
devine = 45.5 + (2.3 * inchesOver60);
// Robinson: 49kg + 1.7kg per inch > 60
robinson = 49 + (1.7 * inchesOver60);
// Miller: 53.1kg + 1.36kg per inch > 60
miller = 53.1 + (1.36 * inchesOver60);
// Hamwi: 45.5kg + 2.2kg per inch > 60
hamwi = 45.5 + (2.2 * inchesOver60);
}
// BMI Range (18.5 – 24.9)
// BMI = kg / m^2 => kg = BMI * m^2
var heightInMeters = heightInCm / 100;
var minHealthyKg = 18.5 * (heightInMeters * heightInMeters);
var maxHealthyKg = 24.9 * (heightInMeters * heightInMeters);
// 3. Convert to display units (lbs if imperial, kg if metric)
var displayUnit = (system === 'imperial') ? 'lbs' : 'kg';
var multiplier = (system === 'imperial') ? 2.20462 : 1;
var devineDisp = Math.round(devine * multiplier);
var robinsonDisp = Math.round(robinson * multiplier);
var millerDisp = Math.round(miller * multiplier);
var hamwiDisp = Math.round(hamwi * multiplier);
var minHealthyDisp = Math.round(minHealthyKg * multiplier);
var maxHealthyDisp = Math.round(maxHealthyKg * multiplier);
// Average of formulas
var avgWeight = Math.round((devineDisp + robinsonDisp + millerDisp + hamwiDisp) / 4);
// 4. Update DOM
document.getElementById('mainResult').innerText = avgWeight + " " + displayUnit;
document.getElementById('bmiRangeResult').innerText = minHealthyDisp + " – " + maxHealthyDisp + " " + displayUnit;
document.getElementById('devineResult').innerText = devineDisp + " " + displayUnit;
document.getElementById('robinsonResult').innerText = robinsonDisp + " " + displayUnit;
// Update Table
var tableBody = document.getElementById('resultsTableBody');
tableBody.innerHTML = `
| Devine (1974) |
${devineDisp} ${displayUnit} |
Most widely used medically. |
| Robinson (1983) |
${robinsonDisp} ${displayUnit} |
Optimized for modern populations. |
| Miller (1983) |
${millerDisp} ${displayUnit} |
Often used for estimating lean mass. |
| Hamwi (1964) |
${hamwiDisp} ${displayUnit} |
Simple "rule of thumb" formula. |
| BMI Healthy Range |
${minHealthyDisp} – ${maxHealthyDisp} ${displayUnit} |
World Health Organization standard. |
`;
// 5. Draw Chart
drawChart(displayUnit, [devineDisp, robinsonDisp, millerDisp, hamwiDisp], minHealthyDisp, maxHealthyDisp);
}
function drawChart(unit, formulaValues, minBMI, maxBMI) {
// Clear canvas
ctx.clearRect(0, 0, weightChartCanvas.width, weightChartCanvas.height);
// Set dimensions
var width = weightChartCanvas.width = weightChartCanvas.offsetWidth;
var height = weightChartCanvas.height = weightChartCanvas.offsetHeight;
var padding = 40;
var chartWidth = width – (padding * 2);
var chartHeight = height – (padding * 2);
// Determine scale
var allValues = formulaValues.concat([minBMI, maxBMI]);
var maxVal = Math.max.apply(null, allValues) * 1.1; // Add 10% headroom
var minVal = Math.min.apply(null, allValues) * 0.8; // Start slightly below min
// Helper to map value to Y position
function getY(val) {
return height – padding – ((val – minVal) / (maxVal – minVal) * chartHeight);
}
// Draw BMI Range Background
var yTop = getY(maxBMI);
var yBottom = getY(minBMI);
ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(40, 167, 69, 0.15)";
ctx.fillRect(padding, yTop, chartWidth, yBottom – yTop);
// Label BMI Range
ctx.fillStyle = "#28a745";
ctx.font = "12px Arial";
ctx.fillText("Healthy BMI Range", padding + 10, yTop + 20);
// Draw Bars for Formulas
var barWidth = chartWidth / 9; // 4 bars with spaces
var labels = ["Devine", "Robinson", "Miller", "Hamwi"];
var colors = ["#004a99", "#003366", "#0056b3", "#002a52"];
for (var i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
var val = formulaValues[i];
var x = padding + (i * 2 * barWidth) + barWidth;
var y = getY(val);
var barH = (height – padding) – y;
// Draw Bar
ctx.fillStyle = colors[i];
ctx.fillRect(x, y, barWidth, barH);
// Draw Value on top
ctx.fillStyle = "#333";
ctx.textAlign = "center";
ctx.fillText(val, x + (barWidth/2), y – 5);
// Draw Label below
ctx.fillText(labels[i], x + (barWidth/2), height – padding + 15);
}
// Draw Y Axis Line
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.moveTo(padding, padding);
ctx.lineTo(padding, height – padding);
ctx.strokeStyle = "#ccc";
ctx.stroke();
// Draw X Axis Line
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.moveTo(padding, height – padding);
ctx.lineTo(width – padding, height – padding);
ctx.stroke();
}
function resetCalculator() {
document.getElementById('gender').value = 'male';
document.getElementById('unitSystem').value = 'imperial';
document.getElementById('heightFt').value = 5;
document.getElementById('heightIn').value = 10;
document.getElementById('heightCm').value = 178;
toggleUnits(); // Resets visibility and recalculates
}
function copyResults() {
var main = document.getElementById('mainResult').innerText;
var bmi = document.getElementById('bmiRangeResult').innerText;
var text = "My Ideal Weight Calculation:\n" +
"Estimated Ideal Weight: " + main + "\n" +
"Healthy BMI Range: " + bmi + "\n" +
"Calculated using Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi formulas.";
var tempInput = document.createElement("textarea");
tempInput.value = text;
document.body.appendChild(tempInput);
tempInput.select();
document.execCommand("copy");
document.body.removeChild(tempInput);
var btn = document.querySelector('.btn-primary');
var originalText = btn.innerText;
btn.innerText = "Copied!";
setTimeout(function(){ btn.innerText = originalText; }, 2000);
}