How the formulas work
Each formula starts from a base weight for a person 5 feet (60 inches) tall and then adds a fixed amount for every inch above that height. The base and the per-inch increment differ between men and women, and between the three formulas, which is why they produce slightly different targets.
Devine, Robinson and Hamwi were all developed decades ago, largely for clinical purposes such as drug dosing, and they depend on height and sex alone.
Comparing the three results
The bar chart lines up the Devine, Robinson and Hamwi estimates so you can see how closely they agree. In practice they usually land within a couple of kilograms of one another.
Devine is shown as the primary value because it is the most widely used clinically, but treating the spread between the three as a sensible range is more realistic than fixating on a single figure.
What these numbers leave out
A height-only target cannot capture the things that actually make two people of the same height weigh different healthy amounts:
- Frame size and bone structure, which the formulas ignore entirely.
- Muscle mass — an athletic build will sit above these figures while still being healthy.
- Age and body composition, neither of which is an input.
- Use the result as a ballpark, not a goal weight to chase precisely.
Health disclaimer
These formulas give rough reference weights and are not a personalised health target or medical advice. A healthy weight depends on far more than height. Speak with a doctor or registered dietitian before setting a weight goal, particularly if you have a medical condition.
Formula
Devine — male: 50 + 2.3·(heightIn − 60); female: 45.5 + 2.3·(heightIn − 60)Frequently asked questions
- Which formula should I use?
- They give similar numbers. Devine is the most widely used clinically; Robinson and Hamwi are alternatives offered here for comparison.