Calculators

Ideal Body Weight Calculator

By Ted KallmyerUpdated March 6, 2024

Do you know what your optimum body weight should be for someone your height, frame size, and gender?

Use this precise body weight calculator to determine your ideal weight.

Biological Sex

Frame Size

Use the chart below (if you have a tape measure handy).

Height

Your Ideal Weight Range
Pounds
Kg

Above your ideal? Consider simple tracking of your eating Learn more →

What is ideal body weight?

There is no one answer to this question, as everyone’s ideal body weight will differ.

The idea of “ideal” can be misleading; as it doesn’t necessarily account for individual differences in body composition, such as muscle mass versus fat mass, bone density, and overall body proportions.

Formulas for finding the ideal weight

  • Body mass index or BMI is the most common method of measuring body fat.
  • However, BMI does not consider muscle mass, bone density, or body fat percentage, so it is not always accurate.
  • Other formulas, such as the Hamwi, Robinson, and Devine, consider these factors and may be more accurate.

Pros and Cons of each formula

  • Robinson
    Uses gender to calculate ideal body weight. Lighter frames are given a lower ideal body weight than larger frames
  • Devine
    It also uses gender to calculate ideal body weight. Does not consider frame size when calculating ideal body weight
  • Hemwi
    Only uses height to calculate ideal body weight.
    It does not consider gender or frame size

These formulas cannot account for all individual differences, but they provide a good estimate of what is ideal for a person of your height.

The best way to determine your ideal weight is to speak with a doctor or nutritionist.

How to estimate your frame size

Use a measuring tape and the height chart below to identify your frame size.

Women

Height under 5’2″
Small = wrist size less than 5.5″
Medium = wrist size 5.5″ to 5.75″
Large = wrist size over 5.75″
Height 5’2″ to 5′ 5″
Small = wrist size less than 6″
Medium = wrist size 6″ to 6.25″
Large = wrist size over 6.25″
Height over 5′ 5″
Small = wrist size less than 6.25″
Medium = wrist size 6.25″ to 6.5″
Large = wrist size over 6.5″

Men

Height over 5′ 5″
Small = wrist size 5.5″ to 6.5″
Medium = wrist size 6.5″ to 7.5″
Large = wrist size over 7.5″

No measuring tape? Use this method:

Grip your wrist using your thumb and longest finger.
  • If your finger and thumb don’t touch you are a LARGE frame.
  • If they just touch you are a MEDIUM frame.
  • If they overlap you are a SMALL frame.

Why Frame Size is Important

Other ideal body weight calculators do not consider frame size, which is a crucial aspect in obtaining an optimal body weight for someone your height.

The bulk of your skeletal structure is referred to as frame size. Those with higher bone mass will weigh more than those with less bone mass of comparable height. However, this does not account for bone density.

For example, a 5’6″ woman with a large frame size should weigh between 139-143 pounds, whereas a 5’6″ woman with a small frame should weigh 124-128.

Does ideal body weight depend on age?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as everybody is different.

However, older people tend to have a higher ideal body weight than younger people.

Muscle mass and bone density tend to decrease with age, while body fat percentage often increases.

Differences between males and females of the same height

A male at a similar height to a female should weigh about 10-20% heavier.

How do I reach my ideal body weight?

  1. Establish a body transformation goal that’s appropriate.
  2. Use the macro calculator to determine how much you need to eat to achieve that goal.
  3. This calculator supports a flexible dieting strategy, which allows you to eat whatever you want as long as it fits within your macros.
  4. To improve your body composition, you need to lose fat and gain muscle.
View article sources

Sources

  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Link
  • Robinson, J. D., Lupkiewicz, S. M., Palenik, L., Lopez, L. M., & Ariet, M. (1983). Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage calculations. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 40(6), 1016-1019. Link
  • McCarron, Margaret M., and Ben J. Devine. "Clinical Pharmacy: Case Studies: Case Number 25 Gentamicin Therapy." Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy 8.11 (1974): 650-655. Study Link
  • Pai, M. P., & Paloucek, F. P. (2000). The origin of the “ideal” body weight equations. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 34(9), 1066-1069. Study Link

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