Ideal Weight Calculator for Women
What should you weigh for your height? There’s no single perfect number, but there is a healthy range. This free ideal weight calculator for women shows that range, plus the results of the four best-known ideal weight formulas, so you can see where you stand.
Enter your height, and optionally your current weight, in US or metric units.
Ideal Weight Calculator for Women
See the healthy weight range for your height, plus the results of the four most-used ideal weight formulas.
There is no single “perfect” weight. Formulas were designed for medical dosing, not as body goals. The healthy range (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) is the most widely used guide.
Healthy Weight by Height (Quick Look)
For the full chart with every height, see our height and weight chart for women.
The healthy range is based on a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. The formula range shows the lowest and highest results of the four ideal weight formulas.
| Height | Healthy range (lb) | Formula range (lb) | Height (cm) | Healthy range (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10” | 89 to 119 | 90 to 111 | 147 | 40 to 54 |
| 4’11” | 92 to 123 | 95 to 114 | 150 | 42 to 56 |
| 5’0″ | 95 to 127 | 100 to 117 | 152 | 43 to 58 |
| 5’1″ | 98 to 132 | 105 to 120 | 155 | 44 to 60 |
| 5’2″ | 101 to 136 | 110 to 123 | 157 | 46 to 62 |
| 5’3″ | 104 to 141 | 115 to 126 | 160 | 47 to 64 |
| 5’4″ | 108 to 145 | 120 to 129 | 163 | 49 to 66 |
| 5’5″ | 111 to 150 | 125 to 132 | 165 | 50 to 68 |
| 5’6″ | 115 to 154 | 129 to 135 | 168 | 52 to 70 |
| 5’7″ | 118 to 159 | 134 to 138 | 170 | 54 to 72 |
| 5’8″ | 122 to 164 | 138 to 141 | 173 | 55 to 74 |
| 5’9″ | 125 to 169 | 142 to 146 | 175 | 57 to 76 |
| 5’10” | 129 to 174 | 146 to 151 | 178 | 58 to 79 |
| 5’11” | 133 to 179 | 149 to 156 | 180 | 60 to 81 |
| 6’0″ | 136 to 184 | 153 to 161 | 183 | 62 to 83 |
How the Ideal Weight Formulas Work
All four formulas start with a base weight for a woman who is 5 feet tall and add a set amount for each inch above that.
| Formula | For women |
|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Robinson (1983) | 49 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Miller (1983) | 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 ft |
| Hamwi (1964) | 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 ft (often written as 100 lb + 5 lb per inch) |
These formulas were created to help doctors dose medicines, not to set body goals. They don’t consider age, muscle or body frame. That’s why we show the healthy BMI range first: it’s wider and based on health research. Not sure if you have a small, medium or large frame? Use our body frame size calculator. Body fat tells you more than weight alone. Check the body fat percentage chart for women.
Does Ideal Weight Change With Age?
For adult women, the healthy BMI range is the same at every age. But after 40:
- Muscle naturally declines, so the same weight can mean more body fat. Strength training helps.
- Weight often moves to the waist during menopause. A waist over 35 inches (88 cm) is linked with higher health risk.
- After 65, being a little above the range may be less risky than being underweight, which is linked with bone loss and frailty.
What Matters More Than the Number
- Waist size: check it alongside your weight.
- Strength and fitness: a strong body at a slightly higher weight is often healthier than a lighter, inactive one.
- Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol: these tell you more about health risk than weight alone. Track them with our blood pressure log and A1C calculator.
- Habits you can keep: a weight you can maintain with enjoyable habits beats a “perfect” number you can’t keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal weight for a 5’4″ woman?
The healthy range is about 108 to 145 pounds. The four ideal weight formulas give about 120 to 129 pounds.
What is the ideal weight for a 5’6″ woman?
The healthy range is about 115 to 154 pounds. The formulas give about 129 to 135 pounds.
Which ideal weight formula is most accurate?
None is perfect. They were designed for medical dosing. The healthy BMI range is the most widely used guide for health.
Should older women weigh more?
The healthy range doesn’t change with age, but for women over 65, being slightly above it may be less risky than being underweight. Ask your doctor what range suits you.
Does this calculator save my information?
No. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Related Tools
- BMI Calculator for Women
- Calorie Calculator for Women Over 40
- Body Fat Calculator for Women
- Walking Calorie Calculator
- All free tools
This calculator is for general information only and is not medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.
Sources
- CDC: Adult BMI Categories — https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/adult-calculator/bmi-categories.html
- NHLBI: Classification of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference — https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_dis
- MedlinePlus: Body Mass Index — https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007196.htm
- Pai MP, Paloucek FP. The origin of the “ideal” body weight equations. Ann Pharmacother. 2000 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10981254/