Have a question? This Ideal Body Weight Calculator is used widely throughout the world of sports and for the general population’s health statistics.
These Ideal Body Weight Statistics will be based on the height, sex, and age of the individual, and like BMI, there may be some variances that aren’t accounted for.
We will also have some of the other formulas in the program so that you can look at and compare them closely.
We will focus more on a range of healthy body weights, as this is a little more accurate and easier to stay within, instead of worrying about some exact number.
To use the calculator below, enter your gender, age, and height.
What Should I Weigh?
Ideal Body Weight is a suggestion, and it generally works for the average person in the population and leads to the most optimal health.
You can be outside the ideal body weight range that I provided and still be healthy, but that would assume that it is lean body mass or other reasons for being outside of the range.
Ideal Body Weight may sometimes be based on what people think the best body looks like and not on actual health. The truth is ideal weights were introduced for estimations of medical dosages, and it does not relate to appearances.
Ideal body weight is used clinically, as we said, but it is also viable in sports for any sport based on competitors’ bodyweight categories.
What Issues Exist For Ideal Body Weight Calculation?
This is not a perfect science, as these calculators do not consider the percentages of body fat and muscle within a person’s body. This is also the biggest drawback of Body Mass Index (BMI).
When it comes to highly fit people with a lot of muscle mass, such as bodybuilders and powerlifters, they often appear overweight or maybe even obese.
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Does this mean that they are unhealthy? No, not by any means at all. It just shows the flaws in the calculation.
As a calculator, it is still applicable to the general population to a great degree for healthy weight ranges.
These calculators should be utilized for weight loss tips for goals to shoot for and a way to kickstart healthy life changes, such as regularly exercising, eating unprocessed foods, getting sufficient sleep, and more.
Let’s look at the different factors we use in the calculator to find an ideal body weight.
Factors Determining Ideal Body Weight?
The major factors that play a role in the calculator and general health are age, gender, height, and body frame size.
With age, we only see this as a major factor after the age of 17 for boys and 15 for girls, as this is when the two genders stop growing.
There will be other ways to determine an ideal body weight range for those younger than these two mentioned ages.
One thing to consider for age is that as we reach around 70, we have likely lost 1 – 2 inches of height and some of our lean body mass and accumulated more body fat.
This is all a natural process that comes with aging, but it plays a role in influencing our ideal body weight metrics.
Gender is important, as both genders will have different bodily proportions that play a role in where a certain weight is held.
Men also have more muscle within the body, and muscle is more valuable than body fat. They also tend to be a lot taller than women, on average. This is why there is a different formula depending on your gender.
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Height is important for body composition, as the taller someone is, the more body mass and fat they will have. They will essentially weigh more than if they were shorter.
On average, if a woman and a man were the same height, the man would weigh 10 – 20% more.
And the last factor is the size of someone’s body frame, which is found through the measurements we have in the calculator. Typically, you will fall into small, medium, and large categories.
These factors are in the calculator as they play a major role in IBW.
What Formula Is Used In The Ideal Weight Calculator?
All ideal weight calculations were created for the most optimal drug dosages in a medical setting.
The gold standard for these formulas is known as the Devine Formula. This looks like this:
- Male: 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Female: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
There is also the Hamwi Formula:
- Male: 48.0 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Female: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet
The Miler Formula:
- Male: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Female: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet
Or the Robinson Formula:
- Male: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet
- Female: 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet
These are the ideal body weight formulas used in medical settings and the ones we provide on this calculator page.
We should always note that these formulas only consider height, gender, and small measurements like waist circumference. There are no other considerations for physical handicaps, obesity, body type, physical activity levels, or health risks and conditions.
So, you can use this calculator as a good determiner of where your current weight should be but try to consider other factors.
We hope this page has helped you with your health and fitness goals.
Make sure to check out our other health and fitness calculators on PTPioneer.
FAQs for Ideal body weight
How accurate is the formula for ideal weight?
The formula for ideal weight, such as the Body Mass Index (BMI) or other height-weight charts, provides a general guideline but may not be highly accurate for everyone. These formulas do not account for factors like muscle mass, bone density, and overall body composition. Therefore, while useful for general assessments, they should be complemented with other health indicators for a more accurate evaluation.
How can you reach your ideal weight?
• Combine a balanced diet rich in nutrients with regular physical activity.
• Include both cardio and strength training exercises in your routine.
• Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.
• Maintain a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
• Consult with a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized guidance and support.
What if you are under your ideal weight?
• Consult a Healthcare Provider: Seek professional advice to rule out any underlying health issues.
• Increase Caloric Intake: Consume more nutrient-dense, calorie-rich foods like nuts, avocados, and whole grains.
• Balanced Diet: Ensure your diet includes a mix of proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.
• Strength Training: Engage in strength training exercises to build muscle mass.
• Regular Meals: Eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day to maintain a steady intake of calories.
• Monitor Progress: Keep track of your weight and adjust your diet and exercise plan as needed.•
How do you calculate excess body weight?
1. Find Ideal Body Weight (IBW):
Men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Measure Current Weight.
2. Calculate Excess Body Weight:
Excess Body Weight = Current Weight – Ideal Body Weight
Example: A 5’6″ (66 inches) woman weighing 80 kg:
IBW = 59.3 kg
Excess Body Weight = 80 kg – 59.3 kg = 20.7 kg
Tyler Read
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