Devine (1974)
Primary70.5kg
Scenario
Ideal Weight Formulas Compared — Devine, Hamwi, Robinson, Miller
Compare the four major ideal body weight formulas: Devine (1974), Hamwi (1964), Robinson (1983), and Miller (1983). Understand the differences, the original purposes, and when to use each formula.
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Your Details
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Formula Comparison Results
Hamwi (1964)
72kg
Robinson (1983)
68.9kg
Miller (1985)
68.7kg
Formula Results Comparison
Result Range
63.7 kg77 kg
Devine
Hamwi
Robinson
Miller
Key Insight
For a male at 175 cm with medium frame, the four formulas give results from 68.7 kg to 72 kg. Devine (1974) is the most commonly referenced in medical literature, while the newer formulas (Robinson, Miller) tend to give more conservative estimates. These are reference ranges, not targets — individual healthy weights vary based on muscle mass, bone density, and body composition.
Scenario guide
Scenario guide
The Devine formula (1974)
The Devine formula is the most widely cited ideal body weight (IBW) equation in clinical medicine. Published by B.J. Devine in 1974, it was developed specifically for estimating IBW for drug dosing purposes, particularly in pharmacology. The formula is: Males: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 106 lb + 6 lb per inch over 5 feet). Females: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 100 lb + 5 lb per inch over 5 feet). For a 5'10" man, Devine yields 73.8 kg (162.6 lb). For a 5'6" woman, it yields 54.6 kg (120.4 lb). Its clinical dominance stems from decades of use in pharmaceutical dosing calculations, where it has been validated for drugs like theophylline and aminoglycosides.
The Hamwi formula (1964)
Published by George J. Hamwi in 1964, this was the first ideal weight formula to provide distinct equations for both men and women, making it a landmark in nutritional assessment. The formula is: Males: 48 kg + 2.7 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 106 lb + 5 lb per inch over 5 feet). Females: 45.5 kg + 2.2 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 100 lb + 4.5 lb per inch over 5 feet). Hamwi was originally designed for clinical nutrition settings, particularly for assessing malnutrition and setting caloric targets. It is still widely used in dietetics and is considered slightly more conservative than Devine for taller men.
The Robinson formula (1983)
Developed by D.B. Robinson in 1983, this formula was created as a revision of the Devine equation based on more recent anthropometric data and statistical analysis. The formula is: Males: 52 kg + 1.9 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 108 lb + 4.4 lb per inch over 5 feet). Females: 57 kg + 1.7 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 120 lb + 3.5 lb per inch over 5 feet, for 5'0" base). The Robinson formula generally produces higher IBW values for shorter individuals and lower IBW values for taller individuals compared to Devine, because of its different base weight and per-inch increment. It is less commonly used in clinical practice but appears in some body composition assessments.
The Miller formula (1983)
Also published in 1983 by D.R. Miller, this formula was developed alongside the Robinson equation as part of a broader effort to improve IBW estimation. The formula is: Males: 56.2 kg + 1.41 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 124 lb + 3.5 lb per inch over 5 feet). Females: 53.1 kg + 1.36 kg per inch over 5 feet (or 117 lb + 3 lb per inch over 5 feet). The Miller formula generally produces higher overall IBW values than Devine or Hamwi, reflecting a more generous estimation that may be more appropriate for populations with higher average body mass. It is sometimes used in nutritional research settings.
Side-by-side comparison and when to use each
For a 5'10" (70-inch) man: Devine = 73.8 kg (162.6 lb), Hamwi = 71.6 kg (157.8 lb), Robinson = 73.7 kg (162.5 lb), Miller = 76.0 kg (167.6 lb). For a 5'6" (66-inch) woman: Devine = 54.6 kg (120.4 lb), Hamwi = 53.1 kg (117.0 lb), Robinson = 59.9 kg (132.1 lb), Miller = 61.3 kg (135.2 lb). When to use each: Devine for drug dosing and general clinical reference. Hamwi for nutritional assessment and dietetics. Robinson or Miller for broader anthropometric surveys where a more inclusive weight range is preferred. For general consumer use, averaging multiple formulas provides a more robust estimate than relying on any single equation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All four formulas are estimates with inherent limitations. Devine is the clinical standard for drug dosing, while Robinson and Miller (1983) were revised based on newer anthropometric data. Averaging multiple formulas often yields a more robust estimate than relying on any single equation.
For men, Devine uses 106 lb + 6 lb per inch over 5 feet, while Hamwi uses 106 lb + 5 lb per inch over 5 feet. Devine yields slightly higher IBW for taller men due to the larger per-inch increment.
Each formula was developed for a specific purpose at a different time using different population data. Devine (1974) was for drug dosing, Hamwi (1964) for nutrition, and Robinson/Miller (1983) were revisions based on updated anthropometric data.
You can use them as a starting reference, but they are estimates based on population averages and do not account for individual body composition, bone density, or frame size. They should not be used as rigid weight targets.
For drug dosing, use Devine (162.6 lb). For nutrition, Hamwi (157.8 lb) or Miller (167.6 lb). Robinson (162.5 lb) is similar to Devine. For general reference, averaging the four yields approximately 162.6 lb.
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