Body Composition
Robinson formula
A later revision with a higher base and a smaller increment. The base is 52 kg for men and 49 kg for women.
The Formula
IBW = base + 1.9 x (height in inches - 60)
A later revision with a higher base and a smaller increment. The base is 52 kg for men and 49 kg for women.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| base | Sex constant: 52 kg for men, 49 kg for women | kilograms | Higher than Devine's, which is part of why the two disagree. |
| increment | 1.9 kg added per inch above five feet | kilograms per inch | Smaller than Devine's 2.3 kg, so tall people diverge most. |
What Each Symbol Means
basekilograms
Sex constant: 52 kg for men, 49 kg for women
Higher than Devine's, which is part of why the two disagree.
incrementkilograms per inch
1.9 kg added per inch above five feet
Smaller than Devine's 2.3 kg, so tall people diverge most.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate ideal body weight page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Ideal Body Weight, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.