Where these formulas come from
Devine, Robinson, Miller and Hamwi each published their formula decades apart, mostly to help clinicians quickly estimate a reference weight — originally for drug dosing — without a detailed body composition assessment. They've stuck around because they're simple, not because any one of them is uniquely correct for every body type.
A worked example
For a man at 175 cm, the four formulas give 70.5 kg (Devine), 68.9 kg (Robinson), 68.7 kg (Miller) and 72.0 kg (Hamwi) — a spread of about 3.3 kg, averaging to roughly 70.0 kg. That spread is the point: any single formula is a rough estimate, not a precise target.
Frequently asked questions
Why four different formulas instead of one answer?
Each formula was developed by different researchers at different times, using different reference populations, which is why they don't land on exactly the same number. Showing all four — and the average — gives a more honest picture than presenting one as definitively correct.
Which formula is most commonly used today?
Devine's formula (1974) is the most widely used in clinical settings, partly because it's also the basis for many medical drug-dosing calculations. That doesn't make it automatically the most accurate for everyone, just the most common reference point.
Why does the calculator only ask for height and sex?
These formulas were all originally designed for quick clinical estimates using minimal information. They don't account for frame size, muscle mass or body composition, which is exactly why the result should be treated as a general reference rather than a precise personal target.
What if my actual healthy weight (from a BMI check) looks different from this?
That's expected and not a contradiction — BMI uses a range across your whole height, while these formulas output a single point estimate from older clinical research. Use both together, alongside how you actually feel and perform, rather than chasing either number exactly.
This calculator provides general estimates only and is not medical advice. A doctor can account for frame size, muscle mass and overall health in a way a formula based on height alone cannot.