What Is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal body weight (IBW) is an estimate of the healthiest weight for your height and gender. It's commonly used in medical settings to calculate drug dosages and assess nutritional status. While no single number is perfect, IBW gives you a useful target range.
Four Trusted Formulas
Our calculator combines four widely-accepted formulas so you can see the full range:
- Devine (1974) — most common in US clinical practice
- Robinson (1983) — often lower than Devine
- Miller (1983) — similar to Robinson
- Hamwi (1964) — original US formula
Healthy BMI Range
We also show the weight range that corresponds to a healthy BMI (18.5–24.9), which the CDC recommends for most US adults. This is often more useful than a single IBW number because it accounts for different body types.
Important Note
Ideal body weight formulas were originally designed for medical dosing, not as fitness goals. Athletes, bodybuilders, and people with larger frames often weigh more than their IBW while being perfectly healthy. Consult a doctor before setting a weight loss goal.