Ideal Body Weight (IBW) Calculator (Devine / Miller Formulas)

Two classic formulas, from height alone

For a male at 70 inches (5'10") tall, the Devine formula estimates an ideal body weight of 73.0 kg (160.94 lb), while the Miller formula estimates 70.3 kg -- two different, both long-established formulas producing meaningfully different numbers from the exact same height input.

Both formulas share a similar structure: a base weight for 5 feet of height, plus a fixed amount added per inch over 5 feet -- they differ in their specific base weight and per-inch increment, which is why they diverge even though both are working from the identical underlying logic and the same height value.

Devine (73.0 kg) and Miller (70.3 kg) differing by about 2.7 kg on the same height is a useful reminder that 'ideal body weight' from any formula is a rough historical convention, not a precisely agreed-upon medical target -- the existence of multiple competing formulas that don't fully agree is itself evidence there's no single correct answer.

Where these formulas actually come from, and their real use

Adult formulas. Not a prescription BMI or dosing weight without a clinician. These formulas were originally developed decades ago, notably for use in medical dosing calculations (some medications are dosed based on ideal body weight rather than actual body weight) -- that clinical origin is different from a general wellness or fitness goal-weight context, which is worth keeping in mind about what these numbers were actually built to do.

Neither formula accounts for frame size, muscle mass, or body composition at all -- two people of the same height with very different builds (a bodybuilder versus a person with a slighter frame) get the identical 'ideal' weight from these formulas, which is a real limitation for anyone using this as a personal target rather than a dosing reference.

These are adult formulas developed and validated for adult populations -- they aren't appropriate for calculating a target weight for children or adolescents, who need growth-chart-based approaches instead.

Related body-composition and health tools

For an estimate that does account for body composition rather than height alone, the Lean Body Mass Calculator works from an actual measured or estimated body fat percentage instead.

For the standard weight-relative-to-height screening measure most people are familiar with, the BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator is the more commonly referenced (though similarly limited) alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)