Ideal Body Weight (IBW)
Calculate ideal body weight using the Devine formula (1974), the clinical standard for drug dosing and nutritional assessment.
Results
What is it?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW) estimates a clinically "ideal" weight based on height and sex using the Devine formula (1974). It is the standard reference weight for tidal-volume ventilator settings, aminoglycoside dosing, and many other clinical protocols.
How to use
Enter your height (cm or in) and select your biological sex. Males: IBW = 50 + 2.3 × (height_in − 60). Females: IBW = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height_in − 60).
Example scenario
A male standing 5'10" (70 in) has IBW = 50 + 2.3 × (70 − 60) = 73 kg. Lung-protective ventilation at 6–8 mL/kg IBW targets 438–584 mL tidal volume.
Pro tip
The Devine formula was originally designed for drug dosing, not as a health target. For patients under 5 ft (60 in), the formula produces negative adjustments — consider alternative formulas such as the Broca index.