The Ideal Weight Calculator calculates ideal body weight (IBW) ranges using height, gender, and age. Many experts have long sought to utilize a formula to determine the IBW. Currently, multiple popular formulae exist, and our Ideal Weight Calculator allows you to compare their results side by side.
Most people have attempted to lose weight or know someone who has. This is largely due to our notion of an "ideal" body weight, frequently influenced by what we see promoted in numerous media outlets such as social media, television, movies, and publications. Although ideal body weight (IBW) is occasionally based on perceived visual appeal, it was originally developed to estimate dosages for medical purposes, and the methods used to compute it have nothing to do with how a person perceives a specific weight. It has since been discovered that the metabolism of certain medications is more dependent on IBW than on total body weight. IBW is now commonly utilized in sports, as many classify persons depending on their body weight.
IBW could be a better measurement. It ignores the percentages of body fat and muscle in a person's body. This means highly fit and healthy athletes may be classified as overweight based on their IBW. This is why IBW should be viewed as an imperfect measure rather than a weight that a person should strive for; it is possible to be over or under your "IBW" while remaining completely healthy.
How much a person should weigh is a complex science. It is very dependent on each person. So yet, no measurement, whether IBW, body mass index (BMI), or any other, can conclusively determine how much a person should weigh to be healthy. They are merely guidelines, and it is more important to follow healthy lifestyle habits such as frequent exercise, eating a variety of unprocessed foods, getting enough sleep, and so on than to aim for a specific weight based on a broad formula.
That being stated, several factors can influence the appropriate weight; the important ones are listed below. Other determinants include health status, fat distribution, progeny, etc.
In principle, age should not significantly predict an IBW beyond 14-15 for females and 16-17 for boys, when most people cease growing. Human males and females are anticipated to lose 1.5 and 2 inches of height, respectively, by the age of 70. It is vital to note that their lean muscle mass declines as people age, making it easier to gain additional body fat. This is a natural process, but it is possible to mitigate the consequences of aging by practicing healthy habits such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep.
Females tend to weigh less than males while having more body fat. This is because the male body has more muscle mass, and muscle weighs more than fat. Not only that, but women typically have poorer bone density. Last but not least, men tend to be taller than women.
Taller people have more muscular mass and body fat, which means they weigh more. A male of similar height to a girl should weigh approximately 10-20% more.
Another element to consider while determining appropriate weight is body frame size. Body frame sizes are normally classified as small, medium, or large-boned. It is calculated by comparing a person's wrist circumference to height, as shown below.
Height under 5'2".
Small-boned means a wrist size of less than 5.5 inches.
Medium boned = wrist size of 5.5" to 5.75"
Large-boned individuals have a wrist size of more than 5.75" and stand between 5'2" and 5'5" tall.
Small boned means wrist size less than 6 inches.
Medium-boned wrist sizes range from 6" to 6.25".
A wrist size of more than 6.25" indicates a large bone structure.
Height exceeds 5'5"
Small boned means a wrist size less than 6.25".
Medium-boned wrist sizes range from 6.25" to 6.5".
Large boned = wrist size greater than 6.5"
For Men:
Height exceeds 5'5"
Small-boned wrists range from 5.5" to 6.5".
Medium-boned wrists range from 6.5" to 7.5", whereas large-boned wrists exceed 7.5".
A person with large bones will naturally weigh more than someone with little bones, even at the same height, making body frame size a factor influencing metrics such as IBW and BMI.
Formulas for determining the ideal weight
IBW formulas were designed primarily to aid with medicine dose estimations. The calculations follow the same format: a base weight given a height of 5 feet, with a predetermined weight increment added per inch above the height of 5 feet. To estimate your optimum weight using the Devine method, a 5'10" male would add (2.3 × 10) kg to 50 kg, resulting in 73 kg or around 161 lbs.
The formulas' values fluctuate depending on the scientists' research and discoveries. The Devine formula is the most commonly used formula for measuring IBW.
Male: 48.0 kg + 2.7 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Female: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Invented for medicinal dosage purposes.
Male: 50.0 kg + 2.3 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Female: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Like the Hamwi Formula, it was designed to serve as a foundation for medical dosages depending on weight and height. Over time, the formula became a universal indicator of IBW.
Male: 52 kg + 1.9 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Female: 49 kg plus 1.7 kg for inches above 5 feet.
Modification of the Devine Formula.
Male: 56.2 kg plus 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet.
Female: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kilogram/inch over 5 feet.
Modification of the Devine Formula.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 25 for both men and women. Based on the BMI range, it is feasible to determine a healthy weight for any height.
BMI is a typical parameter for calculating IBW. It is commonly used in the medical industry to indicate potential health problems rapidly. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues are more likely to occur when a person's BMI is greater. It is an indicator used by doctors to warn their patients about potential health problems, particularly if their BMI rises noticeably over time, and it is presently the official metric for categorizing people into different stages of obesity.
All of the formulas shown above are for adults aged 18 and over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following BMI charts for children and teenagers. The CDC recommends that children maintain a BMI between the 5th and 85th percentile for their age.
CDC BMI chart for boys aged 2 to 20.
CDC BMI chart for females aged 2 to 20.
Limitations of Our IBW Calculator
There are limitations to all formulas and procedures. Because the formulas are intended to be as applicable to as many people as possible, they cannot be completely exact for each individual. The algorithms solely consider height and gender, with no regard for physical disabilities, those at the extremes of the spectrum, exercise levels, or muscle mass to body fat ratios, also known as body composition. Our Ideal Weight Calculator is designed to be used as a general guideline based on popular formulas, and its results are not intended to represent strict values that a person must meet to be considered "ideal weight."