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Key Features
Instant Calculation
Get accurate results in real time with our optimized algorithm.
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Ideal body weight (IBW) is a simple estimate based on height, originally developed for clinical use — such as calculating medication doses — rather than as a fitness or aesthetic target. It doesn't account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition.
This calculator uses the Devine formula, the version most widely used in medicine today.
How it works
Enter your height and sex. The tool starts from a base weight (50kg for men, 45.5kg for women) for the first 5 feet of height, then adds 2.3kg for each inch over 5 feet.
- Enter height (cm).
- Enter sex.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
Ideal body weight for a 175cm male
A 175cm (about 5'9") male has an estimated ideal body weight of about 70.5kg using the Devine formula.
Who should use it
- Getting a rough clinical reference point for body weight.
- Cross-checking against other body composition measures.
Industry applications
- Healthcare and clinical dosing reference
- Fitness and general wellness
Advantages
- Quick, simple calculation requiring only height and sex.
- Based on a formula with decades of established clinical use.
Limitations
- Doesn't account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition.
- Was designed for medication dosing, not as a fitness or aesthetic goal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the result as a precise personal target rather than a general clinical reference point.
- Ignoring that muscular individuals will naturally weigh more than their IBW while still being healthy.
Best practices
- Use IBW alongside other measures like BMI and body fat percentage rather than as a standalone target.
Tips
- If you're notably more muscular than average, expect your healthy weight to run higher than this estimate — that's expected, not a problem.