Ideal Body Weight (Devine)

Estimate an adult's ideal body weight using the Devine formula—widely referenced in clinical settings for calculating medication dosages, ventilation settings, and nutrition plans.

Enter adult height in centimeters.
Use 50 kg for males or 45.5 kg for females.

Informational only. Always consult a healthcare professional for individualized targets and medical decisions.

Examples

  • Male 170 cm using base 50 ⇒ 66.2 kg ideal body weight
  • Female 160 cm using base 45.5 ⇒ 52.7 kg ideal body weight
  • Male 180 cm using base 50 ⇒ 75.2 kg ideal body weight

FAQ

Why does the formula use different base constants?

The base accounts for sex-related body composition differences. Choose 50 kg for males and 45.5 kg for females before adding height adjustments.

Does the Devine formula work for children or very muscular adults?

No. It was created for average-build adults. Pediatric, athletic, or geriatric populations may require specialized assessments.

How can I convert the result to pounds?

Multiply the kilogram result by 2.20462 to express the estimate in pounds.

Additional Information

  • The Devine formula was introduced in 1974 to help clinicians estimate dosing weight for medications such as gentamicin.
  • For heights below 152 cm, the formula subtracts 0.9 kg per centimeter from the base constant.
  • Other ideal weight formulas exist (Robinson, Miller, Hamwi). Compare several methods for a fuller assessment.

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