Ideal Body Weight Calculator
Ideal Body Weight Calculator
The Devine formula, published in 1974, estimates ideal body weight from height alone, with a fixed starting weight at 60 inches (152 cm) and a linear addition per inch above that. It was originally designed for drug-dosage calculations in medicine, where a consistent reference weight was needed regardless of a patient's actual body composition.
It is now commonly cited alongside BMI as a general weight reference, though it does not account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition — an athletic person will often exceed their "ideal" weight on this formula while being perfectly healthy.
- Devine Formula (1974): Originally developed for medical dosing calculations, now used as a general weight reference.
- Height-Based Only: Unlike BMI, it does not use current weight as an input — only height and sex.
- Not for Athletes: Muscular individuals will often show as "overweight" by this formula despite healthy body composition — treat it as a rough reference, not a target.
Is the Devine formula the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly — it is a reference weight originally built for medical dosing, not a personalized healthy weight target. Use it alongside BMI and body fat percentage for a fuller picture.
Why does the formula only use height?
It was designed to give clinicians a consistent baseline weight regardless of a patient's actual build, which is why it ignores body composition entirely.
Ideal Body Weight Calculator
The Devine formula, published in 1974, estimates ideal body weight from height alone, with a fixed starting weight at 60 inches (152 cm) and a linear addition per inch above that. It was originally designed for drug-dosage calculations in medicine, where a consistent reference weight was needed regardless of a patient's actual body composition.
It is now commonly cited alongside BMI as a general weight reference, though it does not account for muscle mass, frame size, or body composition — an athletic person will often exceed their "ideal" weight on this formula while being perfectly healthy.
- Devine Formula (1974): Originally developed for medical dosing calculations, now used as a general weight reference.
- Height-Based Only: Unlike BMI, it does not use current weight as an input — only height and sex.
- Not for Athletes: Muscular individuals will often show as "overweight" by this formula despite healthy body composition — treat it as a rough reference, not a target.
Is the Devine formula the same as a healthy weight?
Not exactly — it is a reference weight originally built for medical dosing, not a personalized healthy weight target. Use it alongside BMI and body fat percentage for a fuller picture.
Why does the formula only use height?
It was designed to give clinicians a consistent baseline weight regardless of a patient's actual build, which is why it ignores body composition entirely.