Estimate your ideal body weight with this calculator. Enter your height, sex, and current weight to get formula-based reference estimates (including the Devine IBW formula, commonly used in clinical contexts).

Adjusted Body Weight (ABW) & Ideal Body Weight (IBW) Calculator

Enter required values to calculate Ideal and Adjusted Body Weight

Note: Ideal Body Weight output uses the same unit as “Actual Weight”.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides formula-based IBW/ABW estimates for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use it to self-diagnose, set extreme weight targets, or adjust medication doses; consult a clinician/pharmacist for individualized guidance (and note these formulas are not validated for children or teens).

How This Ideal Weight Calculator Estimates Weight

This calculator gives you two reference values: ideal body weight (IBW), which is estimated from height and sex using the Devine equation, and adjusted body weight (ABW), which moves part of the distance between actual weight and IBW. These numbers are useful as reference points, but they are not a diagnosis and they do not define your personal healthiest weight by themselves.

Output What it tells you Best use Main limitation
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) A height- and sex-based estimate. Quick comparison point and a reference used in some clinical calculations. Does not directly measure body fat, muscle, or overall health.
Adjusted Body Weight (ABW) An estimate between IBW and actual weight. Useful in some clinical or nutrition calculations when actual weight may overstate needs. Still an estimate; it is not a body-composition test.

Formulas Used

The Devine IBW formula is traditionally written in kilograms. This calculator can accept different input units, but the underlying estimate follows the same logic.

Formula Expression
Men 
IBW_{men} = 50 + 2.3 \times (H_{in} - 60)
Women 
IBW_{women} = 45.5 + 2.3 \times (H_{in} - 60)
Adjusted Body Weight 
ABW = IBW + 0.4 \times (AW - IBW)

Here, Hin is height in inches and AW is actual weight. If you only want IBW, height and sex drive the estimate. Actual weight is needed for the adjusted-body-weight result.

How to Read Your Result

If you are using… Use it this way
IBW Treat it as a benchmark, not a required goal weight.
ABW Use it only as an estimate; it should not replace professional guidance for medication dosing or treatment decisions.
Health assessment Combine scale weight with BMI, waist circumference, and your broader health picture.
Fitness goals Remember that muscular people can weigh more than IBW without having poor body composition.

Example

For a male who is 5 ft 10 in and weighs 220 lb:

IBW = 50 + 2.3 \times (70 - 60) = 73 \text{ kg} \approx 161 \text{ lb}
ABW = 73 + 0.4 \times (99.8 - 73) = 83.7 \text{ kg} \approx 184.6 \text{ lb}

Notice that the adjusted value sits between the ideal estimate and the actual weight.

When Ideal Weight Can Be Misleading

Situation Why interpretation gets harder
High muscle mass Scale weight may be above IBW even when body composition is favorable.
Higher belly fat Waist size can add risk information that a single weight number misses.
Children and teens These adult IBW/ABW formulas are not validated for them.
Pregnancy, edema, ascites, amputations, critical illness Formula-based estimates may not reflect true body composition or clinical needs.

FAQ

Is ideal weight the same as healthy weight?
No. Ideal weight is a formula-based estimate. Healthy weight is better judged with additional context such as BMI, waist circumference, lifestyle, and medical history.

Why does the calculator ask for my current weight?
Your current weight is needed to calculate adjusted body weight. The ideal body weight estimate itself is based on height and sex.

Should I try to match my IBW exactly?
Not necessarily. Use it as a reference number, then interpret it alongside body composition, waist size, performance goals, and clinician guidance when medical decisions are involved.