Each formula sets a baseline weight at 5 feet of height and adds a fixed amount per inch above it, by sex. Devine (men): 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch. Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi use their own baselines and increments; we average all four and show the spread.
Hamwi (1964); Devine (1974); Robinson et al. (1983); Miller et al. (1983).
These formulas predate modern body-composition science and use only height and sex. Treat the range as the honest answer, not any single figure.
Athletes and muscular builds (weight will read high), children and teens, pregnant women, and people with amputations or significant oedema.
Frequently asked questions
Not a single number. The four classic formulas were built for clinical estimates — like drug dosing — not for defining health. That's why we show all four and their spread: your healthy weight is a range, not a target.
Each was published in a different decade from different data, using its own baseline weight at 5 feet and its own increment per inch. Devine (1974) is the most widely used in medicine; Miller tends to give the lowest figure. The gap between them is normal.
For a single reference, Devine is the common clinical choice. But rather than pick one, treat the range as your answer — any weight within it is reasonable for your height and sex.
No. They use only height and sex, so they can't tell a muscular build from a slight one. If you lift or have a large frame, expect your healthy weight to sit above these estimates — check body fat for a better picture.
Yes. Each formula uses a lower baseline weight for women at 5 feet and, in most cases, a smaller increment per additional inch of height.