The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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Average Weight Calculator — What's Healthy for Your Height?
Finding your ideal body weight depends on your height, age, and individual factors — not just a single number. UK adults have an average weight of around 78 kg overall, but what matters more is whether your weight falls within a healthy range for your specific height. The NHS uses BMI (body mass index) to define healthy weight ranges, and these vary by ethnicity due to different health risk profiles. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal healthy weight range, or read on to discover the reference data and factors that affect your ideal weight for your height.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
Healthy Weight Range by Height — UK Data
Your ideal body weight depends primarily on your height. The NHS defines a healthy weight range using a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 for most adults. Here are approximate healthy weight ranges for common UK heights:
- 5ft 4in (163 cm): 47–64 kg (7st 5lb–10st 1lb)
- 5ft 6in (168 cm): 52–70 kg (8st 2lb–11st 0lb)
- 5ft 8in (173 cm): 55–75 kg (8st 9lb–11st 11lb)
- 5ft 10in (178 cm): 59–80 kg (9st 4lb–12st 8lb)
- 6ft (183 cm): 64–86 kg (10st 1lb–13st 7lb)
These ranges assume standard adult build. For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds — a healthy weight calculator should account for your ethnicity for more accurate guidance. Use our free weight converter above to switch between kg, stone, and pounds.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Factors That Affect Your Ideal Weight
Your ideal weight isn't one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence what a healthy weight means for you: Muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat, so athletic people may have higher BMI but lower body fat); Frame size (small, medium, or large bone structure adds 5–10% variation); Age (metabolism slows with age, affecting what's sustainable); Ethnicity (genetic differences in health risk); and Medical history (conditions like thyroid disease affect weight). BMI is useful but has limitations — it doesn't account for where fat is stored or muscle-to-fat ratio. Your GP can provide personalised advice on what a healthy weight means for your individual circumstances.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
What's the average weight for a UK adult?
According to recent ONS data, the average UK adult man weighs approximately 85.7 kg (13st 7lb) and the average UK adult woman weighs approximately 71.6 kg (11st 3lb). However, average weight is not the same as healthy weight — many UK adults are above the healthy weight range for their height.
How do I calculate my ideal weight for my height?
Use the BMI calculator on this page to find your healthy weight range based on your height. Alternatively, multiply your height in metres by itself, then multiply by 18.5 for the lower healthy bound and 24.9 for the upper bound. For example, at 1.73m, healthy weight is 55–74 kg (8st 10lb–11st 10lb).
Is BMI the best way to measure ideal weight?
BMI is a useful screening tool recognised by the NHS, but it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so very muscular people may have high BMI but low body fat. Waist circumference and body composition are also important health indicators — your GP can assess these alongside BMI.
Why do ideal weight ranges differ by ethnicity?
Research shows that people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage have higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels. The NHS therefore recommends lower healthy weight thresholds for these groups — typically BMI 18.5–22.9 instead of 18.5–24.9.
Should I try to reach the exact middle of my healthy weight range?
Not necessarily. Anywhere within your healthy weight range is appropriate for your height. Factors like your natural frame size, muscle mass, and what weight feels sustainable for your lifestyle all matter. Focus on reaching a weight that's healthy and maintainable for you personally, not a single "ideal" number.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.