Ideal Weight — Get a Healthy Weight Range Based on Your Height
The Ideal Weight calculator suggests a healthy weight range in kilograms based on your height and sex. It uses a height-based formula (Devine-style) that has been used in clinical and research settings for decades. The result is not a single 'perfect' number but a range, giving you a flexible target that can accommodate different body types and goals. Doctors and dietitians sometimes use similar formulas to set rough targets for drug dosing or nutrition planning. This article explains how the tool works, how to use it, and when to combine it with other metrics like BMI or body fat for a fuller picture.
What Does This Tool Do?
This tool estimates a healthy weight range for your height and sex. It applies a formula that relates ideal body weight to height (with different constants for men and women) and then widens that into a range (often about ±10% around the central value). The result is given in kilograms. It is intended as a general reference for adults—not a prescription. It does not account for frame size, muscle mass, age, or ethnicity, so some people will naturally sit above or below the range and still be healthy. Use it as one input when thinking about weight goals, and combine it with how you feel, other health markers, and professional advice. The Devine formula was originally developed for drug dosing; it has since been adopted in many health contexts as a simple height-based reference. The range (e.g. 90–110% of the central value) allows for natural variation so you are not chasing a single number.
How to Use It (Step-by-step)
Height: 1 foot = 30.48 cm, 1 inch = 2.54 cmIdeal weight range ≈ 90%–110% of height-based formula (sex-specific)- 1Step 1:
Enter your height in centimetres (cm). Convert from feet and inches if needed (1 foot ≈ 30.48 cm, 1 inch ≈ 2.54 cm).
- 2Step 2:
Select your sex (male or female). The formula uses different base values for men and women.
- 3Step 3:
Click Calculate.
- 4Step 4:
Read your suggested range—e.g. 'Suggested healthy weight range: 58.5 – 71.5 kg.'
- 5Step 5:
Use the range as a guide. If you are above or below, that does not automatically mean something is wrong; discuss with a doctor or dietitian if you want to set or change a weight goal.
Key Features
The calculator uses a Devine-style formula: a base weight (in kg) plus an adjustment for height above 5 feet, with sex-specific constants. The range is typically about 90% to 110% of the central value. Results are shown to one decimal place. The tool is free and does not store data. It is designed for adults and does not replace clinical assessment for underweight, overweight, or medical conditions. You only need height and sex; no weight input is required, so you can use it to see a target range before stepping on the scale. The range gives you flexibility so you can aim for the lower or higher end depending on your build and goals.
Use Cases
You might use the ideal weight calculator when: you want a simple height-based reference for a healthy weight; you are setting a target for weight loss or gain and want a range rather than a single number; you are comparing your current weight to a general guideline; you are preparing for a check-up and want to discuss weight with your doctor; or you are curious how different formulas compare (this one is height- and sex-based only). It is less useful for very muscular people, older adults with different body composition, or anyone with a condition that affects healthy weight—in those cases, professional guidance is more appropriate. Parents and educators sometimes use similar ranges to explain what 'healthy weight for height' can look like. If you are in the middle of a weight change, the range can remind you that there is a band of healthy weights rather than one magic number.
FAQ
A range allows for natural variation in body type, muscle mass, and frame. One number cannot fit everyone; a range is a more realistic and flexible reference.
Not necessarily. The range is a general guideline. Your doctor or dietitian can help you decide if weight change is appropriate for you and how to do it safely.
On average, men tend to have more muscle and different body composition than women at the same height. The formula uses different base values to reflect that.
Athletes often have more muscle and may sit above the range at a healthy body fat level. The calculator is a general guide; body composition and performance matter more for athletes.
The formula does not adjust for age. Older adults may have different muscle and fat distribution. Use the result as a rough reference and rely on healthcare advice for individual goals.