Ideal Weight Calculator Pounds and Inches: Personal Target Guide
Quick Take
The Devine formula estimates ideal body weight based on height and sex. For men: 106 lbs for the first 5 feet + 6 lbs per inch above. For women: 100 lbs for the first 5 feet + 5 lbs per inch above. Add 10% for large frames, subtract 10% for small frames. But this is a rough estimate, not a personalized target.
Everyone wants to know their "ideal weight." It is one of the most common health questions Americans ask — and one of the most misunderstood. The problem is that "ideal weight" means different things to different people. For some, it is a number from a height-weight chart. For others, it is a target based on BMI ranges. For athletes, it might be a weight where they perform best.
The most widely used ideal weight formulas come from Dr. B.J. Devine, who in 1974 published a set of equations based on insurance industry data from the 1950s. The formulas were designed to estimate healthy body weight ranges for men and women based on height. Nearly 50 years later, they remain the most common method for calculating ideal body weight, even though the data behind them is quite old.
Let us break down the Devine formula, show you how to calculate your ideal weight in pounds and inches, explain where the numbers come from, and — most importantly — put these numbers into context so you do not treat them as gospel. Use our Ideal Body Weight Calculator for instant results.
The Devine Formula: How It Works
Dr. Devine developed two simple linear equations that estimate ideal body weight based on height alone, with separate formulas for men and women. The formulas are based on the concept of a "medium frame" body type, with adjustments for small or large frames.
Men's Ideal Weight Formula
Ideal Weight (lbs) = 106 + 6 × (height in inches above 5 feet)
Start with 106 pounds for a man who is exactly 5 feet tall. Add 6 pounds for every additional inch of height. For example, a 5'10" man (70 inches, or 10 inches above 5 feet) would have an ideal weight estimate of 106 + (6 × 10) = 166 pounds.
Women's Ideal Weight Formula
Ideal Weight (lbs) = 100 + 5 × (height in inches above 5 feet)
Start with 100 pounds for a woman who is exactly 5 feet tall. Add 5 pounds for every additional inch. A 5'7" woman (67 inches, or 7 inches above 5 feet) would have an ideal weight estimate of 100 + (5 × 7) = 135 pounds.
Frame Size Adjustments
Devine recommended adjusting the base ideal weight by ±10% based on body frame size:
- Small frame: Subtract 10% from the calculated ideal weight - Medium frame: Use the calculated weight as-is - Large frame: Add 10% to the calculated ideal weightFor example, a 5'10" man with a large frame would have an adjusted ideal weight of 166 × 1.10 = 182.6 pounds. A 5'7" woman with a small frame would have 135 × 0.90 = 121.5 pounds.
Height-to-Weight Reference Table
Here are ideal weight ranges calculated using the Devine formula for common heights, including frame size adjustments:
| Height | Men (Small–Large Frame) | Women (Small–Large Frame) |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (60 in) | — | 90–110 lbs |
| 5'3" (63 in) | — | 103–126 lbs |
| 5'5" (65 in) | — | 112–137 lbs |
| 5'7" (67 in) | 140–171 lbs | 122–149 lbs |
| 5'9" (69 in) | 151–185 lbs | 131–160 lbs |
| 5'10" (70 in) | 149–183 lbs | 135–165 lbs |
| 6'0" (72 in) | 166–203 lbs | — |
| 6'2" (74 in) | 179–219 lbs | — |
Note: The "medium frame" values represent the Devine formula's base calculation. The range shows ±10% for small and large frame adjustments.
Where the Devine Numbers Came From
Dr. Devine published his formula in 1974, but the underlying data came from American life insurance company mortality tables compiled in the 1950s. These tables associated certain weight ranges with lower mortality rates for policyholders. Devine converted these mortality-based weight ranges into simple height-weight formulas.
The key limitation here is that the original data was from the 1950s — over 70 years ago. The population has changed significantly since then in terms of average height, body composition, lifestyle, and longevity. The formulas also do not account for age, activity level, muscle mass, or body fat distribution — all factors that significantly influence what constitutes a healthy weight for an individual.
Alternatives to the Devine Formula
Several other ideal weight calculation methods exist, each with different approaches and limitations:
BMI-Based Ideal Weight: Calculate the weight range that falls within the CDC's "normal" BMI category (18.5–24.9) for your height. For a 5'10" man, this works out to roughly 129–174 pounds. This range is wider than the Devine formula and better reflects population-level healthy weight ranges, but still does not account for individual body composition.
Hamwi Formula (1964): Similar to Devine but with slightly different base weights: 106 lbs + 6 lbs/inch for men, 100 lbs + 5 lbs/inch for women (same as Devine for women, but different for men over 5'5").
Healthy BMI Range: Instead of a single "ideal" number, calculate the range of weights that correspond to a healthy BMI (18.5–24.9) for your height and sex. This approach is preferred by most modern public health authorities because it is based on contemporary population data.
Our Ideal Body Weight Calculator uses the Devine formula as a base and also provides a healthy BMI range for comparison, giving you a more complete picture.
Why "Ideal Weight" Is a Misleading Concept
The biggest problem with ideal weight formulas is the implication that there is one specific number at which everyone of your height and sex should weigh. In reality, healthy body weight varies tremendously based on:
Body Composition: A 5'10" bodybuilder weighing 200 pounds with 12% body fat has a very different health profile than a 5'10" sedentary person weighing 200 pounds with 30% body fat. The Devine formula treats them identically.
Age: Muscle mass naturally declines with age, meaning older adults may have higher body fat percentages at the same weight as younger adults. A "perfect" Devine weight at age 60 might represent significantly more body fat than at age 30.
Activity Level: Athletes and physically active individuals naturally have higher lean mass and may weigh more than the Devine formula suggests. This is not a health concern — it is a reflection of their body composition.
Genetics and Body Frame: People have different skeletal structures and muscle fiber distributions that influence their natural healthy weight range. The ±10% frame adjustment is a crude attempt to account for this, but it is far from precise.
Finding Your Personal Weight Target
Instead of chasing a single "ideal" number, consider these more personalized approaches to determining a healthy weight target:
BMI Range: Calculate the weight range for your height that falls within the CDC's normal BMI range (18.5–24.9). This gives you a 10–15 pound range rather than a single number. Combined with waist circumference and body fat percentage, this creates a more realistic target.
Body Fat Percentage Target: Aim for a body fat percentage within the ACE's fitness category (14–17% for men, 21–24% for women). Then calculate the weight that corresponds to that body fat percentage using your lean body mass. Use our Body Fat Calculator and Lean Body Mass Calculator for this.
Performance-Based Weight: For athletes, the ideal weight is one where you perform your best — tested through race times, training performance, and how you feel. This approach is more practical for active individuals than any formula.
Maintenance Weight: Track your weight over 2–4 weeks while maintaining consistent calorie intake and activity. The average of your daily weigh-ins is your current maintenance weight. From there, you can set a target based on whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain.