Ideal Weight by Height UK – Calculator & Clinical Guide
Finding your ideal weight by height in the UK involves understanding two complementary approaches: the NHS healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m², centred around a BMI of 21.7–22.0) and classic medical equations like the Devine, Robinson, and Hamwi formulas. Use our interactive calculator below to find your personalised target range in stones, pounds, and kilograms.
NHS Healthy Weight Span: 8st 10lb – 11st 10lb (55.4 – 74.5 kg)
Clinical Formula Comparison
- Devine Formula (1974) 10 st 10 lb (68.4 kg)
- Robinson Formula (1983) 10 st 7 lb (66.8 kg)
- Miller Formula (1983) 10 st 5 lb (65.6 kg)
- Hamwi Formula (1964) 10 st 13 lb (70.0 kg)
UK Ideal Weight by Height Reference Charts
The table below illustrates the contrast between the broad NHS healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), the statistical NHS midpoint (BMI ~22.0), and traditional gender-specific clinical formulas.
| Height (Imperial) | Height (cm) | NHS Healthy Range (BMI 18.5–24.9) | NHS Midpoint (BMI 22.0) | Devine Formula | Robinson Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 152 cm | 6 st 11 lb – 9 st 2 lb | 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) | 7 st 12 lb (50.0 kg) | 8 st 3 lb (52.0 kg) |
| 5 ft 2 in | 157 cm | 7 st 3 lb – 9 st 11 lb | 8 st 9 lb (54.2 kg) | 8 st 8 lb (54.6 kg) | 8 st 13 lb (55.8 kg) |
| 5 ft 4 in | 163 cm | 7 st 12 lb – 10 st 7 lb | 9 st 3 lb (58.4 kg) | 9 st 5 lb (59.2 kg) | 9 st 9 lb (60.6 kg) |
| 5 ft 6 in | 168 cm | 8 st 4 lb – 11 st 1 lb | 9 st 12 lb (62.1 kg) | 10 st 1 lb (63.8 kg) | 10 st 3 lb (64.8 kg) |
| 5 ft 8 in | 173 cm | 8 st 10 lb – 11 st 10 lb | 10 st 6 lb (65.8 kg) | 10 st 11 lb (68.4 kg) | 10 st 7 lb (66.8 kg) |
| 5 ft 10 in | 178 cm | 9 st 4 lb – 12 st 5 lb | 10 st 13 lb (69.7 kg) | 11 st 7 lb (73.0 kg) | 11 st 6 lb (72.6 kg) |
| 6 ft 0 in | 183 cm | 9 st 13 lb – 13 st 3 lb | 11 st 7 lb (73.7 kg) | 12 st 3 lb (77.6 kg) | 12 st 3 lb (77.4 kg) |
| 6 ft 2 in | 188 cm | 10 st 5 lb – 13 st 13 lb | 12 st 3 lb (77.8 kg) | 12 st 13 lb (82.2 kg) | 13 st 0 lb (82.2 kg) |
| 6 ft 4 in | 193 cm | 10 st 13 lb – 14 st 10 lb | 12 st 13 lb (82.0 kg) | 13 st 9 lb (86.8 kg) | 13 st 11 lb (87.0 kg) |
Looking for a complete span of healthy weights across all UK heights? Check our dedicated Healthy Weight Range by Height reference table, or explore our Healthy BMI Weight Guide.
Clinical Formulas vs The NHS Range: What Is the Difference?
When people ask, "What is my ideal weight for my height?", they are often surprised to discover that medicine provides several different mathematical answers depending on whether the context is clinical pharmacology or population health screening.
1. The NHS Healthy Weight Range
The NHS avoids prescribing a single rigid weight number. Instead, UK primary care defines an ideal weight range spanning Body Mass Index values from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m².
✓ Accounts for natural bone density, age, and individual variation (~2 to 3 stones breadth).
2. The Devine Formula (1974)
Originally engineered by Dr. Ben J. Devine to calculate drug clearances (such as theophylline and digoxin). It assigns 50 kg (men) or 45.5 kg (women) at 5 feet, plus 2.3 kg per additional inch.
✓ The most widely referenced single-figure ideal body weight (IBW) standard in hospitals.
3. The Robinson Formula (1983)
A clinical revision of Devine's formula based on empirical Metropolitan Life insurance data. It uses higher baseline weights (52 kg men, 49 kg women) and lower per-inch gradients.
✓ Often considered more realistic for shorter and average-height UK adults.
Why NHS Clinicians Prefer a Weight Range
Human anatomy cannot be reduced to a single decimal point. A 5ft 8in man with a broad skeletal frame and muscular athletic conditioning may be completely healthy at 11st 6lb (BMI 24.3), whereas an individual with a delicate bone structure might be optimally energised at 9st 4lb (BMI 19.8). Both reside safely within the NHS healthy boundaries.
How Skeletal Frame Size Affects Your Ideal Weight
Your skeletal framework—the width and density of your skeleton—accounts for roughly 15% of your total body mass. Understanding your frame size helps determine whether your natural ideal weight sits towards the lower, middle, or upper portion of the NHS healthy weight chart.
Measuring Frame Size via Wrist Circumference
The most reliable self-assessment method is measuring the circumference of your wrist at the narrowest point (just distal to the styloid process of the ulna and radius):
- Women (Under 5ft 2in): Small (< 14.0 cm), Medium (14.0–14.6 cm), Large (> 14.6 cm).
- Women (5ft 2in to 5ft 5in): Small (< 15.2 cm), Medium (15.2–15.9 cm), Large (> 15.9 cm).
- Women (Over 5ft 5in): Small (< 15.9 cm), Medium (15.9–16.5 cm), Large (> 16.5 cm).
- Men (Over 5ft 5in): Small (14.0–16.5 cm), Medium (16.5–19.0 cm), Large (> 19.0 cm).
The Quick Thumb-and-Finger Test
Wrap the thumb and middle finger of your dominant hand around your opposite wrist:
- Small Frame: Thumb and finger overlap comfortably. Your ideal target typically falls in the lower 30% of the NHS range (BMI 18.5–20.5).
- Medium Frame: Thumb and finger just touch tip-to-tip. Your target aligns with the central midpoint (BMI 21.0–23.0).
- Large Frame: Thumb and finger do not touch. Your target aligns with the upper tier of the healthy span (BMI 23.0–24.9).
NICE Ethnic Thresholds (Guideline PH46)
For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or African-Caribbean family background, NICE advises that health risks accelerate at lower thresholds. The upper boundary for a healthy weight is defined at BMI 22.9 kg/m² (rather than 24.9), making the ideal weight target approximately 1 to 1.5 stones lower than standard European tables.
Ideal Weight by Age: Does Your Target Change Over Time?
A common question is whether your ideal weight by age and height shifts as you grow older. While official NHS clinical categories remain consistent across adulthood (18 to 65+), physiological aging introduces important nuances:
Younger Adults (18–35)
Peak bone density and lean muscle mass mean that younger adults usually thrive near the median BMI of 21.5 to 22.5 kg/m². Establishing strong cardiovascular habits and strength training preserves basal metabolic rate into later decades.
Middle Age (36–64)
Gradual age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) often masks abdominal visceral fat accumulation. Monitoring waist-to-height ratio (< 0.5) is critical during these years, even if scale weight remains stable.
Older Adults (65+)
Clinical epidemiology demonstrates the "Obesity Paradox in Geriatrics": older adults carrying a slightly higher BMI (23.0 to 27.0 kg/m²) exhibit lower mortality, superior fracture protection, and greater reserves during acute illnesses.
To observe how weight shifts impact real-time 2D silhouettes across different body types, visit our interactive Height Weight Visualizer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ideal Weight
Clear answers to common questions about weight-for-height recommendations in the UK.
In UK clinical practice, the NHS does not prescribe a single rigid number. Instead, your ideal weight is defined as any weight falling within the healthy Body Mass Index range of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². The statistical midpoint of this band is approximately BMI 21.7 to 22.0 kg/m², which corresponds to 10st 6lb (66.2 kg) for an adult standing 5ft 8in tall.
The Devine formula assigns a baseline weight at 5 feet tall (50 kg for men, 45.5 kg for women) and adds 2.3 kg for every inch over 5 feet. The Robinson formula refines this with higher initial baselines (52 kg for men, 49 kg for women) and slightly lower increments per inch to better reflect empirical population data.
While official NHS BMI categories remain constant for adults aged 18 to 65, geriatric epidemiological studies indicate that adults aged 65 and over benefit from a slightly higher BMI (around 23 to 27 kg/m²). This provides nutritional reserves during acute illness and reduces osteoporosis fracture risks.
Your bone structure accounts for up to 15% of total body mass. Individuals with smaller bone frames (measured via narrow wrist circumference) naturally thrive towards the lower end of the NHS healthy range (BMI 18.5–20.5), whereas those with broad, heavy skeletal frames sit healthily in the upper tier (BMI 23.0–24.9) without excess adipose tissue.
NICE guideline CG189 recommends monitoring your waist-to-height ratio (which should remain under 0.5). Visceral adipose tissue stored deep around internal organs elevates cardiovascular and Type 2 diabetes risks even if your total scale weight appears ideal according to standard height charts.
Authoritative UK Clinical Sources:
- National Health Service (NHS): Managing your weight and healthy BMI categories (NHS.uk Health A to Z).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Obesity: identification, assessment and management (Clinical Guideline CG189).
- NICE Guideline PH46: BMI: preventing ill health and premature death in black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups.
- Devine BJ (1974): Gentamicin therapy. Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 8:650–655.
- Robinson JD, et al. (1983): Determination of ideal body weight for drug dosage regimens. Am J Hosp Pharm, 40(6):1016–1019.
Medical & Educational Disclaimer
This tool and its associated reference tables are provided strictly for educational and general health screening purposes based on publicly available UK NHS and NICE clinical guidance. It is not an official service of NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Ideal weight calculations are mathematical approximations and do not constitute an individualized medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified GP, registered dietitian, or healthcare professional before embarking on significant dietary restrictions or intense physical training regimens.