Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Robinson Formula)

Calculate your ideal body weight using the Robinson formula (1983). A refined clinical IBW equation that gives slightly higher estimates than Devine for most heights.

Optional
lbs
Robinson Ideal Body Weight
157 lbs
Range: 141–172 lbs
Robinson IBW
157 lbs
1983 formula
Healthy Range
141–172 lbs
±10%
vs. Actual
+23 lbs
Above IBW

Formula Comparison

Devine
161 lbs
1974
Robinson
157 lbs
1983
Miller
155 lbs
1983
Hamwi
165 lbs
1964
■ Red line = actual weight

IBW is a clinical reference, not a personal target. It does not account for body composition, frame size, or fitness level. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Robinson Formula)

The Robinson formula is a historical ideal body weight equation that is still reproduced in clinical references. It uses a higher base weight and a smaller per-inch increment than Devine, so the comparison depends on height.

The formula is best read as one reference estimate rather than a universal target or a direct measure of health.

When This Page Helps

Robinson is one of several historical IBW equations. It can be helpful when comparing reference weights, but it should not be treated as more accurate simply because it is more recent than some alternatives.

How to Use the Inputs

  1. Select your sex.
  2. Enter your height in feet/inches or centimeters.
  3. Optionally enter actual weight for comparison.
  4. View your Robinson IBW and healthy range.
  5. Compare with Devine, Miller, and Hamwi estimates.
Formula used
Men: IBW = 52.0 + 1.9 × (height in inches − 60) Women: IBW = 49.0 + 1.7 × (height in inches − 60) Result in kg. Healthy range: IBW ± 10%

Example Calculation

Result: IBW: 71.0 kg (156 lbs) | Range: 63.9–78.1 kg

For a male at 5'10" (70 inches): IBW = 52.0 + 1.9 × (70 − 60) = 52.0 + 19.0 = 71.0 kg (156 lbs). This is 2 kg less than Devine's 73.0 kg because Robinson's per-inch increment (1.9 kg) is lower than Devine's (2.3 kg).

Tips & Best Practices

  • Robinson and Devine can rank differently depending on height, which is why comparing formulas is often more informative than choosing one.
  • A small range around any IBW estimate is a convention, not a precise clinical boundary.
  • For dosing or nutrition, confirm which formula your organization uses instead of assuming one standard applies everywhere.

Robinson vs. Devine at Different Heights

Robinson and Devine can differ by a few kilograms depending on height. That is expected, because the equations were developed from different historical assumptions.

Using IBW in Practice

When comparing multiple IBW formulas, the useful output is the range rather than a single "correct" value. If the formulas diverge significantly, that is a cue to interpret the estimate cautiously.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated:

Methodology

This calculator applies the Robinson ideal-body-weight equation and shows it as a historical reference estimate. The page compares Robinson with nearby formulas so the user can see how historical equations vary, rather than implying that one exact weight can be derived from height alone.

Because Robinson is a simple historical equation, the result should be read as a rough reference, not as a validated health target.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Robinson is commonly reproduced as a historical ideal-body-weight equation with a higher base and smaller height increment than Devine. That makes it useful for comparison, but not for identifying one correct weight.

More in this topic

Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Devine Formula)

Calculate your ideal body weight using the Devine formula — the most commonly used IBW calculation in clinical medicine for drug dosing, nutrition planning, and tidal volume estimation.

Ideal Body Weight Calculator (Miller Formula)

Calculate your ideal body weight using the Miller formula (1983). Gives the highest IBW estimates among the four major formulas — a more generous reference weight for your height.