Lorentz Ideal Body Weight Calculator
How to use this page
- Fill in the fields in the form above — the result recomputes at once, with no page reload.
- Under the result you will find the interpretation scale, if the calculator has one: it says which range your value fell into.
- The formula we use is shown lower on this page — you can check the arithmetic yourself.
- To compute the same for another game or variant, change it in the select field — prices and pools update automatically.
What this page does not do: It does not point to numbers to play and does not predict a draw — every draw is independent of the previous ones.
Further reading
Formula
men: H − 100 − (H − 150) / 4 women: H − 100 − (H − 150) / 2.5 The Lorentz formula is a refinement of the older Broca formula. The basis for the correction was the observation that simply subtracting one hundred from height overestimates ideal weight for tall people, because the body does not grow in width at the same rate it grows in height. A correction was thus introduced that subtracts part of the height surplus above 150 cm. For men the formula reads: height − 100 − (height − 150) / 4, while for women the divisor is 2.5, giving a sharper correction. For example, a man 185 cm tall will get 185 − 100 − (185 − 150) / 4 = 85 − 8.75 = 76.3 kg, while Broca would give 76.5 kg — the difference grows with height.
The idea behind the adjustment was to bring the result closer to reality for people whose height deviates from average. The sharper correction for women reflects the smaller average share of muscle mass. It's worth remembering, though, that Lorentz shares all the other limitations with Broca: it does not account for age, bone structure, wrist circumference, or training level. Someone with an athletic build will get an underestimated result, while a person with a slight frame — an overestimated one.
How should this number be used? As an approximate reference point. Ideal weight is not a target weight — it is a statistical value around which a healthy population of a given height is distributed. A deviation of a few kilograms means nothing. If, though your weight differs from the ideal by ten kilograms or more, it's worth also checking your BMI and waist circumference, and for large discrepancies, consult the result with a doctor who can assess body composition and health status.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Lorentz formula differ from the Broca formula?
Lorentz additionally subtracts part of the height surplus above 150 cm, which Broca does not do. This makes the result lower and more realistic for tall people. For a man measuring 195 cm, Broca gives 85.5 kg, while Lorentz gives 83.8 kg.
How is ideal body weight calculated for a woman using the Lorentz formula?
The formula for women reads: height − 100 − (height − 150) / 2. A woman 168 cm tall will get 168 − 100 − 9 = 59 kg. The divisor of 2 instead of 4 makes the correction stronger than for men.
Is ideal body weight the same as perfect weight?
No. Ideal body weight is a statistical value calculated from the formula, around which a healthy population of a given height is distributed. A deviation of a few kilograms falls within normal range and requires no action.
See also
BMI Calculator
Calculate your BMI based on body weight and height. See which range you fall into, learn the WHO scale, and fi
Broca Formula Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal body weight using the Broca formula based on height and sex. Learn the history of this 18
Harris-Benedict BMR Calculator
Calculate your basal metabolic rate using the Harris-Benedict equation. Enter weight, height, age and gender t