The ideal weight calculator is a user-friendly tool designed to assess whether your current weight aligns with the ideal range based on sex and height. To effectively use the calculator, follow these steps:
  1. Select units of measurement: Choose your preferred units of measurement (metric or imperial) before entering values. This choice will impact how the calculator interprets your inputs throughout the process.
  2. Sex selection: Indicate your sex. Note that your sex input will be autosaved, eliminating the need to re-enter this information during subsequent visits.
  3. Height input: Enter your height in your preferred unit of measurement. Ensure that your input falls within a range of at least 153 cm (5 ft) tall and 2.72 m (8.9 ft), as calculations are only accurate for heights within this specified range. As with sex selection, your height input will be autosaved, allowing you to resume your assessment if you return to the calculator seamlessly.
  4. Weight input: Enter your current weight. Keep in mind that the minimum weight input is 15 kg (33 lb), and the maximum is 635 kg (1,400 lb). These limits ensure the accuracy of the calculations for a reasonable range of weight values.
  5. Target BMI: If you have a specific BMI goal, you can set it by unchecking the option use the default value of target BMI. By default, the calculator uses the BMI value of 22.
  6. Results: After entering the information, the tool will calculate your ideal weight values according to different formulas. Choose the formula from the dropdown list.
It will also generate a graph at the end of the calculator to help you visualize the results better. Additionally, the tool will present the minimum and maximum values for a healthy weight based on BMI.

For example, suppose you're a male standing at 183 cm (6 ft) tall and weighing 80 kg (176 lb). If you input these values into the calculator, it will determine that your ideal weight varies according to different formulas:
  • Peterson formula: 74 kg (163 lb);
  • Miller formula: 73 kg (161 lb);
  • Robinson formula: 75 kg (165 lb);
  • Devine formula: 78 kg (172 lb);
  • Hamwi formula: 81 kg (178 lb);
  • Broca: 83 kg (183 lb); and
  • Lorentz formula: 75 kg (165 lb).
Additionally, you'll find that for your weight to fall within the healthy BMI range, it should be a minimum of 62 kg (137 lb) and a maximum of 83 kg (183 lb). Note that if you decide to use advanced mode to set a target BMI (for example, 25), your ideal weight, as per Peterson's formula, would change, adjusting from the initial 74 kg (163 lb) to 84 kg (185 lb). If you're curious about the inner workings of the calculator and the mathematics behind it, keep reading!