Question 1

What is my ideal weight for my height?

Accepted Answer

A range, not a number: the weights mapping to BMI 18.5–24.9 at your height — this page computes yours. The four clinical formulas land at single points inside that band, and they disagree with each other by design history, not by your biology.

Question 2

Which ideal-weight formula is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

None is 'accurate' as a health target — Devine was built for drug dosing, Hamwi for bedside estimation. They're shown because they're widely quoted; the BMI band is the better-evidenced reference for population health.

Question 3

Is BMI reliable for me?

Accepted Answer

It's a screening tool with known blind spots: it can't distinguish muscle from fat, so muscular people often read 'above range' at healthy body-fat levels, and it under-flags low muscle mass in older adults. Waist measurements and body composition tell richer stories.

Question 4

How fast can I reach a healthy weight safely?

Accepted Answer

The conventional sustainable rate is 0.25–0.5 kg (0.5–1 lb) per week — a 250–500 kcal/day deficit. Our calorie-deficit calculator builds the targets with below-BMR warnings included.

Question 5

Does age change my ideal weight?

Accepted Answer

The BMI band is defined for adults generally, but evidence suggests slightly higher BMIs are not harmful — and may be protective — in older adults. After ~65, preserving muscle matters more than chasing the lower half of the range.

Question 6

Do I need to hit the middle of the range?

Accepted Answer

No. Anywhere inside the band carries similar population-level risk, and your healthiest weight within it depends on build, history, and what you can maintain while living well. The middle is a statistic, not a prescription.

Ideal Weight Calculator — Healthy Range for Your Height, 4 Formulas (2026)