Body Metrics
Ideal Weight Formulas Explained
Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi — where these formulas came from and which to use.
6 min read·Updated 25 June 2026
HG
HealthGood Editorial Team
Last updated 25 June 2026
Reviewed by HealthGood Editorial Standards Board
The classic ideal body weight (IBW) formulas were developed for medication dosing, not for cosmetic targets. They give a clinically reasonable weight for height — not a single magic number.
The four main formulas
- Devine (1974) — most widely used in clinical settings.
- Robinson (1983) — refinement of Devine.
- Miller (1983) — slightly different coefficients.
- Hamwi (1964) — the original rule-of-thumb formula.
Our calculator averages the four to smooth out individual formula quirks.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
Related guides
References
- World Health Organization — Body mass index (BMI). https://www.who.int
- NHS — Healthy weight and BMI. https://www.nhs.uk
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity. https://www.cdc.gov
- Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure. Am J Clin Nutr (1990).