Transparent method
The formula
Worked example
Example inputs
How to interpret the result
The Devine formula was originally built to estimate drug-dosing weight in a clinical setting, not to define a personal fitness goal, and it uses height alone with no adjustment for frame size, muscle mass or build. Two people of identical height with very different, equally healthy body compositions get the identical ideal-weight figure from this formula, because it has no way to see the difference.
Before you rely on it
What to check
Treat the output as one reference point among several, not a personal target. Body composition and overall health context matter more than matching a height-based formula.
The common error
Where people go wrong with ideal weight calculator
Adopting the formula's output as a literal weight goal. It was designed for a specific clinical dosing context, and using it as a universal personal target ignores frame size and body composition entirely.
Sensitivity evidence
How height changes the estimated ideal weight
| Height | Estimated ideal weight | Reasonable range (±10%) |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | 79.8 | 8 |
| 60 | 110.2 | 11 |
| 67worked example | 145.7 | 14.6 |
| 74 | 181.2 | 18.1 |
| 80 | 211.6 | 21.2 |
Every input, tested
Which input moves the estimated ideal weight most
| Input | Tested from | To | Estimated ideal weight at each end | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 60 | 74 | 110.2 to 181.2 | 71 (49%) |
| Sex | Male | Female | 145.7 to 135.8 | 9.9 (6.8%) |
Step by step
The worked example, input by input
| Input | Value used | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | Male | The Devine formula uses different base weights by sex. |
| Height | 67 | Height in inches. |
| Estimated ideal weight | 145.7 | |
| Reasonable range (±10%) | 14.6 | |
Inputs, definitions and assumptions
Sex
The Devine formula uses different base weights by sex.
Height
Height in inches.
Where the inputs come from
Enter your sex and height. The Devine formula, developed in 1974 for estimating drug dosages, starts from 50 kilograms for men or 45.5 for women at five feet and adds 2.3 kilograms for each inch above that. It uses no information about age, frame size or muscle, so treat the result as a reference point. Height must be entered accurately, since each inch shifts the answer by about five pounds.
When the result stops applying
No formula can identify an ideal weight for an individual, since health depends on body composition, fitness, blood markers and medical history. The Devine formula was not designed as a health standard, and the various formulas disagree by ten pounds or more. It is inappropriate for children, pregnancy and people with conditions that affect weight.
What to compare it with
See the BMI-based range on the healthy weight range calculator, and the weight for a chosen BMI on the weight to target BMI page. The body fat and lean body mass calculators show composition, and the calorie goal page helps plan a change. Talk to a clinician before a major weight change.
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
Is there really an ideal weight?
Not one number. Healthy weight is a range that depends on height, build, muscle, age and health, and formulas give rough reference points only.
Why do different formulas give different answers?
They were built from different populations for different purposes, such as dosing drugs, and none accounts for muscle or frame.
Should I aim for my ideal weight?
Use it as a loose guide. Blood pressure, blood sugar, fitness and how you feel are better markers of health than hitting a formula.