Healthy Weight Calculator
There's no single perfect weight, but there is a healthy range for your height. This calculator shows that range from BMI, adjusted for ethnicity if relevant, alongside the classic ideal-weight formulas so you can see how they compare.
The healthy range
The most evidence-based answer is the weight range that puts you in the healthy BMI band (18.5–24.9), or the lower ethnicity-adjusted band where it applies.1 This is a range on purpose: anywhere within it is healthy, and where you sit depends on your build and muscle.
The classic formulas
The Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi formulas were created decades ago, originally to help calculate medication doses, and estimate a single 'ideal' weight from your height and sex. They're shown for comparison, but they tend to give one narrow figure and don't account for build or muscle, so treat them as a rough midpoint rather than a target.
Why muscle matters
These are weight targets, not fat targets. A muscular person can sit above the 'ideal' weight and be lean and healthy. If in doubt, your body-fat percentage and waist-to-height ratio tell you more than any goal weight.
Common questions
Why is the answer a range, not one number?
Because health isn't a single point. Any weight within the healthy BMI range is fine, and your best spot within it depends on your muscle and build. Chasing one exact number causes more stress than it's worth.
Which formula is most accurate?
None is clearly best, they're old estimates. The healthy BMI range is more evidence-based. Use the formulas only as a rough cross-check.
Should muscular people follow this?
Not strictly. Muscle is dense, so athletes often exceed their 'ideal' weight while carrying little fat. If you train hard, judge by body fat and waist, not the scale target.
Want the full plan, not just a number?
Lean28 turns these numbers into a 28-day meal and workout plan, free.
Build my free planSources
- WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategies. Lancet. 2004;363(9403):157-163. Source
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overweight and obesity management. NICE guideline NG246. Published January 2025. Source
This calculator is general information, not medical advice, and its results are estimates for healthy adults. Speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, or manage a medical condition.
