Worked examples, in Body Composition
Ideal Weight Examples
A single target weight ignores most of the variables that actually determine health: muscle mass, bone density, body fat distribution, activity level, and metabolic history. These examples show how different individuals arrive at very different 'ideal' numbers using the same formula — and what that means in practice.
4 examples. Published Mar 12, 2026. Updated Mar 27, 2026. By AI Fit Hub.
Worked examples
See the inputs and outcome together
Each scenario keeps the starting point, the outcome, and the actual lesson in one place so the page reads like a decision notebook, not a data dump.
- 1
Average-height male
A 178 cm man with a medium frame checks the classic ideal-weight formulas.
The four formulas land between 70 and 75 kg, with Devine at 73.2 kg and Robinson at 71.1 kg.
Sex
Male
Height Cm
178
There is no single ideal weight, only a band of roughly five kilograms across the formulas. Treat the range as a starting reference, not a goal weight, since none of these equations knows your muscle mass.
- 2
Tall male
A 193 cm man, the height of a tall basketball guard, with a medium frame.
The estimates climb to roughly 79 to 91 kg, with Devine at 86.8 kg.
Sex
Male
Height Cm
193
The formula spread widens to about 12 kg at this height, which exposes their weakness for very tall people. The equations were built around average frames and grow less reliable toward the extremes.
- 3
Average-height female
A 165 cm woman with a medium frame runs the same check.
The estimates fall between 56 and 60 kg, with Robinson at 57.4 kg.
Sex
Female
Height Cm
165
The female formulas use a lower base weight per centimetre of height. Selecting the correct sex is the most important input here, since the male and female versions differ by several kilograms at the same height.
- 4
Shorter male
A 168 cm man with a medium frame.
The four formulas cluster tightly between 64 and 65 kg, with Devine at 64.1 kg.
Sex
Male
Height Cm
168
Near average height the formulas agree closely, which is where they are most trustworthy. The closer your height is to the middle of the range the more confidence the estimate deserves.
Patterns
Run the numbers next
- Body Composition Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method.
- Body Composition FFMI Calculator
Calculate Fat-Free Mass Index to gauge muscularity and compare against natural benchmarks.
Questions people ask next
What is the ideal weight for a 178 cm man?
Using the classic ideal-weight formulas, a 178 cm man with a medium frame lands between roughly 70 and 75 kg, with Devine at 73.2 kg and Robinson at 71.1 kg. There is no single number, only a band of about five kilograms across the formulas. Treat it as a starting reference rather than a fixed goal, since none of these equations accounts for your muscle mass.
Why do ideal weight formulas disagree more for very tall people?
The equations were built around average frames and grow less reliable toward the extremes. For a 193 cm man the estimates spread to roughly 79 to 91 kg, about a 12 kg gap, compared with a tight 64-65 kg cluster for a 168 cm man. The closer your height is to the middle of the range, the more confidence the estimate deserves.
How much does ideal weight differ between men and women at the same height?
The female formulas use a lower base weight per centimetre of height, so the male and female versions differ by several kilograms at the same height. A 165 cm woman lands between 56 and 60 kg, with Robinson at 57.4 kg. Selecting the correct sex is the most important input for an accurate estimate.
Is there one true ideal weight number?
No. Ideal weight is rarely a single number; it is a healthy range defined by individual factors like age, sex, activity level, and body composition. BMI is a useful screening tool but should be interpreted alongside body fat percentage and muscle mass, especially for athletes or older adults. The formulas produce a band, not a precise target.
Sources
- Adult BMI Categories , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- What Are the Healthy Body Fat Percentage Ranges? , American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Keep the topic connected
- Formula Ideal Weight Formula (Devine 1974)
Ideal weight formula from the Devine 1974 equation: men 50 + 2.3 kg per inch over 60, women 45.5 + 2.3, plus Robinson, Miller and Hamwi variants.
- Learn What Is Body Fat Percentage? Definition & How It's Measured
Learn what body fat percentage means, how it's calculated, the methods used to measure it (DEXA, BIA, calipers), and why it beats weight or BMI for health.