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Ideal Weight Calculator

Calculate your ideal body weight range using four established medical formulas - Devine, Robinson, Miller and healthy BMI range.

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The Four IBW Formulas

Devine (1974)

Originally for drug dosing. Men: 50 + 2.3×(H−60in). Women: 45.5 + 2.3×(H−60in). First widely adopted IBW formula.

Robinson (1983)

Revised Devine. Men: 52 + 1.9×(H−60in). Women: 49 + 1.7×(H−60in). Considered slightly more accurate for shorter heights.

Miller (1983)

Men: 56.2 + 1.41×(H−60in). Women: 53.1 + 1.36×(H−60in). Tends to give slightly higher values, especially for taller individuals.

Healthy BMI Range

Weight corresponding to BMI 18.5–24.9. Preferred by WHO; does not differ by sex. Broadest range of the four.

Ideal Weight Calculator Devine, Robinson, Miller Formulas

Ideal body weight (IBW) is a clinically used estimate of the weight at which a person of a given height is likely to experience optimal health outcomes. Unlike BMI, which uses weight and height together, IBW formulas account for height alone and were originally developed for medical dosing purposes - particularly for calculating drug doses and mechanical ventilation settings. The three most widely used formulas are Devine (1974), Robinson (1983), and Miller (1983).

Understanding the Formulas

The Devine formula, introduced by Dr B.J. Devine in 1974, was the first standardised IBW formula and remains a reference in pharmacology. The Robinson formula refines Devine's work, while the Miller formula produces slightly lower estimates, particularly for women. All three formulas use height in feet and inches as input, with separate equations for men and women. Results from different formulas are presented as a range rather than a single target, acknowledging that ideal weight is a healthy band, not a single number.

Indian Health Context

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad - under ICMR - has published Indian-specific dietary guidelines noting that Indians tend to have a higher percentage of body fat at lower BMI values than Western populations. AIIMS and other premier medical institutions use IBW routinely in clinical nutrition, anaesthesia dosing, and ICU management. Health insurance policies offered by companies like Star Health and Niva Bupa often reference healthy weight ranges during underwriting. This calculator helps individuals set realistic fitness goals aligned with their height and gender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Major ideal weight formulas for a 170 cm male: Devine (1974) ≈ 70.5 kg; Robinson (1983) ≈ 71.4 kg; Miller (1983) ≈ 70.8 kg. No formula is universally accurate - they are population averages and do not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body frame size. Use them as guidelines, not absolute targets.

Healthy BMI weight range: 18.5–24.9 (WHO); 18.5–22.9 per ICMR for Indians. For a 170 cm person: WHO range = 53.5–72.1 kg; ICMR range = 53.5–66.3 kg (BMI 23+ = overweight for Indians). Ideal weight formulas give values near the middle of the healthy BMI range. Indians should target the lower half of their healthy weight range.

Yes. Frame size significantly affects ideal weight. Large-framed individuals may healthily weigh 5–10 kg more; small-framed individuals 5 kg less. Frame size can be estimated from wrist circumference. Body fat percentage is a better overall health indicator than ideal weight formulas as it accounts for whether your weight is muscle or fat.

Safe rate of weight loss: 0.5–1 kg/week (500–1000 kcal deficit per day). Preserve muscle mass with adequate protein (1.6–2 g/kg body weight) and resistance training 3× per week. Never crash diet. For weight gain: clean bulk at +250–500 kcal surplus with progressive overload training. Sustainable habits over 6–12 months achieve and maintain ideal weight long-term.