What Is My Ideal Weight? (No Single Answer)
There is no single "ideal weight" number. Your ideal weight is a range determined by your height, frame size, muscle mass, and body composition. For most adults, it falls within a 15-20 pound window that corresponds to a BMI of 18.5-24.9. A 5'10" man, for example, has a healthy weight range of roughly 128-174 lbs depending on frame and muscle mass.
Why "Ideal Weight" Is a Range, Not a Number
The concept of a single ideal weight is a myth perpetuated by outdated insurance tables from the 1940s. Modern medicine recognizes that healthy weight varies widely between individuals of the same height. Two people who are 5'8" can both be perfectly healthy at 140 lbs and 175 lbs, respectively, depending on their muscle mass, bone density, and body composition.
Use our Ideal Weight Calculator to see your range across multiple formulas, and compare it to your BMI and body fat percentage for a complete picture.
The Main Ideal Weight Formulas Explained
Four formulas have dominated medical practice for decades. Each was originally designed for drug dosing, not aesthetics, and each produces slightly different results.
Devine Formula (1974)
The most widely used formula in clinical settings. For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. A 5'10" man would have a Devine ideal weight of 73 kg (161 lbs).
Robinson Formula (1983)
A refinement of Devine. Men: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. Tends to produce slightly lower numbers than Devine for shorter individuals.
Miller Formula (1983)
Men: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet. Produces the highest estimates of the four formulas for taller individuals.
Hamwi Formula (1964)
The original formula still used by dietitians. Men: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet. Women: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet. Often gives a slightly higher number for men than Devine.
Ideal Weight by Height: Reference Table
The numbers below represent the average across all four formulas for a medium frame.
| Height | Men (lbs) | Women (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 106-125 | 100-118 |
| 5'2" (157 cm) | 117-136 | 108-128 |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 128-147 | 117-138 |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 139-158 | 126-148 |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 150-170 | 135-159 |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 161-182 | 144-170 |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 172-194 | 153-181 |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 183-207 | 162-192 |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 194-220 | 171-203 |
Why BMI Range Matters More Than a Specific Number
Rather than chasing one magic number, health experts recommend staying within a healthy BMI range of 18.5-24.9. This range already accounts for natural variation between individuals of the same height. Someone at BMI 20 and someone at BMI 24 can both be perfectly healthy; the risk only increases meaningfully outside this window.
Calculate yours with our BMI Calculator and see where you fall within the healthy range.
How Frame Size Changes Your Ideal Weight
Frame size is one of the most overlooked factors. Two people at 5'8" can have radically different skeletons, with the large-framed person naturally carrying 10-15 lbs more bone mass.
The simplest way to estimate frame size is the wrist measurement test:
- Small frame (men): wrist circumference under 6.5 inches
- Medium frame (men): wrist circumference 6.5-7.5 inches
- Large frame (men): wrist circumference over 7.5 inches
- Small frame (women): wrist circumference under 5.5 inches
- Medium frame (women): wrist circumference 5.5-6.5 inches
- Large frame (women): wrist circumference over 6.5 inches
Add 10% to your ideal weight if you have a large frame; subtract 10% if you have a small frame.
Body Composition vs Total Weight
Two people can weigh exactly the same but look completely different. A 170 lb man with 15% body fat will appear lean and muscular; a 170 lb man with 30% body fat will appear overweight. This is why scales lie and why body fat percentage is a better metric than total weight for most goals.
Healthy body fat ranges:
- Men: 10-20% (athletes often 6-13%)
- Women: 18-28% (athletes often 14-20%)
Measure yours with our Body Fat Calculator.
"Ideal" vs "Healthy" vs "Attractive"
These three concepts are routinely confused. A healthy weight is one where you have minimal disease risk. An ideal weight is what formulas predict based on your height. An attractive weight is cultural and subjective. They rarely coincide, and chasing one often sabotages the others.
The best target is a weight you can maintain with a normal eating pattern, reasonable exercise, and without obsessing over food. That weight is almost always within the healthy BMI range, and it is almost never a single number.
What About Athletes and Muscular People?
If you lift weights seriously or play a power sport, ideal weight formulas will significantly underestimate your healthy weight. A muscular 5'10" man can weigh 190 lbs at 12% body fat and be in outstanding health, even though BMI would classify him as "overweight." For athletes, body fat percentage and waist measurement are far more reliable metrics.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.