What Is the Devine Ideal Body Weight Formula?
The Devine formula, introduced by Dr. B.J. Devine in 1974, estimates a person's ideal body weight (IBW) based on height and gender. Originally created to standardize medication dosing, it has become one of the most widely used IBW estimates in clinical and fitness settings. This tool is universal and uses metric output (kilograms) with an automatic pounds conversion.
How to Use This Calculator
Select your gender, then enter your height in feet and inches. The calculator converts your height to total inches, subtracts 60 inches (5 feet), and applies the Devine equation. The result shows your ideal body weight in both kilograms and pounds.
The Formula Explained
For men, $$\text{IBW (kg)} = 50.0 + 2.3 \times \left( 12 \times \text{Feet} + \text{Inches} - 60 \right)$$ For women, $$\text{IBW (kg)} = 45.5 + 2.3 \times \left( 12 \times \text{Feet} + \text{Inches} - 60 \right)$$ Heights at or below 5 feet use the base weight only (no negative adjustment).
Worked Example
A man who is 5 feet 10 inches tall is 10 inches over 5 feet. His $$\text{IBW} = 50 + 2.3 \times 10 = 50 + 23 = \mathbf{73 \text{ kg}}$$ which is about 160.9 pounds.
FAQ
Is the Devine formula accurate for everyone? It is an estimate and does not account for body composition, muscle mass, or frame size. Athletes and very muscular people may exceed it while still being healthy.
What if I am shorter than 5 feet? The formula uses only the base weight (50 kg for men, 45.5 kg for women) since there are no inches over 5 feet to add.
Should I use this for medical dosing? Clinicians do use Devine IBW for some drug calculations, but always rely on professional medical judgment rather than a general calculator.
