Ideal weight at 5 ft 6 in, male
Use the form for your own height. The example shows how the range is built for a man at 5 ft 6 in.
How it works
The three formulas differ only in their numbers. Each adds a set number of kilograms per inch above 60 inches to a base weight for your sex. The range runs from the lowest result to the highest. For a man at 5 ft 6 in the Devine base is 50 kg.
Worked example
Subtract 60 from the height. 5 ft 6 in gives 6 inches. Now use the male numbers. Devine: 50 + 2.3 × 6 = 63.8 kg. Robinson: 52 + 1.9 × 6 = 63.4 kg. Miller: 56.2 + 1.41 × 6 = 64.66 kg. In pounds that is 141 lb, 140 lb and 143 lb. The range is 140 to 143 lb.
Common questions
What if I am under 5 feet tall?
The formulas were written for heights of 5 feet and over. Below that the calculator uses the base weight. Treat the result as rough. For a man at 5 ft 6 in the formulas add 6 inches above the 60 inch base.
How does this compare with BMI?
A healthy BMI range also gives a weight range for your height. The two often overlap but they are not the same, because BMI ignores sex while these formulas use it. For a man at 5 ft 6 in a healthy BMI is 115 to 154 lb, against 140 to 143 lb here.
Which ideal weight formula is best?
None is better than the others. They were built for different purposes. Showing all three as a range is more honest than picking one. For a man at 5 ft 6 in the three results are 141 lb, 140 lb and 143 lb.
Why do the formulas give different answers?
Each uses its own base weight and its own amount per inch. The gap grows as height moves away from 5 feet. For a man at 5 ft 6 in the gap between the lowest and highest is 3 lb.
Do these formulas account for muscle or frame size?
No. They use only height and sex. Someone with a large frame or a lot of muscle can be healthy well above the range. For a man at 5 ft 6 in the range of 140 to 143 lb is a starting point, not a limit.