Devine Formula (Ideal Body Weight)
The standard medical equation used in clinical pharmacokinetics to calculate Ideal Body Weight from height.
Clinical & Bioenergetic Overview
Introduced by Dr. Ben J. Devine in 1974 for calculating renal creatinine clearance and drug dosages (e.g., aminoglycosides and theophylline), the Devine formula has become the most widely accepted clinical metric for calculating Ideal Body Weight (IBW).
Mathematical Formula & Calculation
Real-World Worked Example
A 5 foot 10 inch (70 inches) male: Height over 5 ft = 10 inches. IBW = 50.0 + (2.3 × 10) = 73.0 kg (160.9 lbs).
Why It Matters for Dieting
Provides an objective baseline for clinicians and individuals establishing realistic long-term body composition targets.
Frequent Mistakes
Assuming anyone above their Devine IBW is overweight. Muscular individuals routinely exceed IBW while maintaining healthy low body fat levels.
Calculate Ideal Body Weight
Compare Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi models in our IBW suite.