Ideal Weight Chart for Men & Women " 2026 Guide
What is your ideal body weight? While BMI gives a quick health snapshot, ideal body weight (IBW) formulas go one step further by giving a specific target weight for your height and gender. This guide explains the most widely used IBW methods, provides a complete reference chart, and helps you understand where you stand.
Men: IBW = 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
Women: IBW = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet
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What is Ideal Body Weight?
Ideal Body Weight is a clinically derived estimate of how much a person of a given height should weigh for optimal health. It was originally developed for drug dosing calculations but has since become a general health reference tool. Remember: IBW is a guideline, not a rigid target. Body frame size, muscle mass, and ethnicity all affect what is truly "ideal" for you.
The Devine Formula (Most Widely Used)
Women: IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 — (height in inches 60)
Example " Man, 5'10" (70 inches):
IBW = 50 + 2.3 — (70 60) = 50 + 23 = 73 kg
Example " Woman, 5'5" (65 inches):
IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 — (65 60) = 45.5 + 11.5 = 57 kg
Ideal Weight Chart by Height (Men & Women)
| Height | Men IBW (kg) | Women IBW (kg) | Healthy BMI Range (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 50.0 | 45.5 | 43"57 |
| 5'3" (160 cm) | 56.9 | 52.4 | 47"63 |
| 5'5" (165 cm) | 61.5 | 57.0 | 51"68 |
| 5'7" (170 cm) | 66.1 | 61.6 | 55"74 |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 73.0 | 68.5 | 61"82 |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 77.6 | 73.1 | 65"87 |
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FAQs
Is ideal body weight the same as healthy weight?
Not exactly. IBW is a formula-based estimate while healthy weight is typically defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. They overlap but aren't identical. The ideal weight for an athlete with high muscle mass may technically be above IBW.
Is the ideal weight chart different for Indians vs Westerners?
Yes. Indians and other South Asians tend to have a higher body fat percentage at the same BMI compared to Caucasians. Some experts recommend lower BMI cutoffs (23 for overweight, 27.5 for obese) for South Asians.