Ideal Weight Calculator for Men
Ideal weight for men by height: compare the Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas side by side with the healthy BMI weight range for your height.
Written by HealthSensibly Editorial TeamReviewed by the HealthSensibly editorial teamUpdated
Four ideal body weight formulas for men
“Ideal body weight” formulas give a single number from your height. They come from clinical practice: Devine’s 1974 formula, for example, was created to help work out medicine doses, not to define a healthy weight. They are still widely quoted, so the calculator shows all four side by side and puts them next to the healthy BMI weight range, which is the better guide for health.
| Formula (men) | Ideal weight |
|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 50 kg + 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 52 kg + 1.9 kg for every inch over 5 ft |
| Miller (1983) | 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg for every inch over 5 ft |
| Hamwi (1964) | 48 kg + 2.7 kg for every inch over 5 ft |
For a man 180 cm tall (about 5 ft 10.9 in), they give roughly 75.0 kg (Devine), 72.6 kg (Robinson), 71.5 kg (Miller) and 77.3 kg (Hamwi). His healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 is about 59.9–80.7 kg, or 59.9–74.2 kg on the Asian cut-off of 22.9.
Which number should you aim for?
- Use the BMI range as your target band, and the formulas as a rough midpoint inside it.
- For men of South Asian origin, Indian and WHO guidance put the top of the healthy range lower, at a BMI of about 22.9, because heart and diabetes risk rise at a lower weight.
- Muscle weighs more than fat. If you lift weights, your body fat percentage and waist size tell you more than any weight formula.
- The formulas were built for adults taller than 5 ft (152 cm).
Working towards a target? Find your daily intake with the calorie calculator, or pick a weight loss plan or a weight gain plan. This is the men’s version of our ideal weight calculator.
More tools for men: Men’s Health hub.
Common questions
What should a 5 ft 10 in man weigh?
At 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm), the healthy BMI range is about 58.5–78.7 kg (129–173 lb), or 58.5–72.4 kg on the Asian cut-off. The formulas give about 73.0 kg (Devine), 71.0 kg (Robinson), 70.3 kg (Miller) and 75.0 kg (Hamwi).
Which ideal weight formula is the most accurate?
None of them is “accurate” for health, because each was built from a different group of people for a different purpose. They usually land within a few kilograms of each other, so a range tells you more than any one figure.
I am muscular — does my ideal weight change?
Yes. Weight formulas and BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so a muscular man may weigh more than the formulas suggest and still be healthy. Check your body fat and waist size as well.
What weight range suits Indian men?
Indian guidance uses a healthy BMI of 18.5–22.9, so the lower range shown in your result is usually the better target. Your doctor can advise on your situation.
References: Pai & Paloucek: The origin of the “ideal” body weight equations (Ann Pharmacother 2000) · WHO: Appropriate BMI for Asian populations (Lancet 2004) · NHS: BMI calculator
Checked against the sources listed above. This is general health information and not medical advice — please ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what suits you.
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