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
Free tracker included with every download this week
Average Weight for a 5'8" Female in the UK
The average weight for a 5'8" (173 cm) adult female in the UK is approximately 71.6 kg (11 stone 3 lbs). However, this is just an average — your ideal body weight depends on your individual health, muscle mass, and fitness level. According to NHS guidelines, a healthy weight range for this height falls between 18.5 and 24.9 BMI, which translates to approximately 55.4 kg (8 stone 10 lbs) to 74.5 kg (11 stone 10 lbs). Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal healthy weight range and understand where you currently sit relative to NHS health thresholds.
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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 BMI for 5'8" Females
At 5'8" (173 cm), the NHS healthy weight calculator defines the healthy weight range for adults as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. This translates to approximately 55.4 kg to 74.5 kg (8 stone 10 lbs to 11 stone 10 lbs) for this height.
It's important to note that the average UK weight and healthy weight are not the same. The average UK female weight sits at 71.6 kg, which falls within the healthy range — but individual factors matter significantly. Your ideal weight depends on:
- Muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat)
- Frame size and bone density
- Overall fitness level
- Personal health goals and any weight-related health conditions
For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends a slightly lower healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–22.9), which equates to approximately 55.4 kg to 67 kg for this height. This reflects higher health risks at elevated BMI in these populations.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
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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.
How to Check Your Personal Healthy Weight Status
Your weight alone doesn't tell the full picture. The BMI calculator on this page instantly calculates your BMI based on your height and current weight, then shows exactly where you sit relative to NHS categories. A BMI in the healthy range (18.5–24.9) is associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Beyond BMI, waist circumference also matters — the NHS recommends keeping your waist below 80 cm (31.5 inches) to reduce health risks. If you're working towards a weight goal, our free progress tracker lets you log your weight changes over time and visualise your journey. Remember that sustainable weight loss happens at approximately 0.5–1 kg per week alongside reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- 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 5'8" female in the UK?
The average weight for a 5'8" adult female in the UK is approximately 71.6 kg (11 stone 3 lbs) according to ONS data. However, this average is not the same as an ideal weight — healthy weight depends on individual factors like muscle mass, frame size, and fitness level.
What is the healthy weight range for a 5'8" female according to NHS guidelines?
According to NHS BMI guidelines, a healthy weight for a 5'8" female is approximately 55.4 kg to 74.5 kg (8 stone 10 lbs to 11 stone 10 lbs), corresponding to a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Use our free BMI calculator to find your personal target range.
How is healthy weight calculated for a specific height?
Healthy weight is calculated using BMI (weight in kg ÷ height in metres squared). The NHS healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 is converted to a weight range for your height. For 5'8", multiply 18.5 and 24.9 by your height in metres squared — our BMI calculator does this instantly.
Does average weight mean I should weigh that amount?
No. Average weight is just a statistical figure and doesn't reflect ideal health. Your ideal weight depends on muscle mass, bone density, fitness, and personal health conditions. A GP or health professional can advise on a healthy target weight for you individually.
What should I do if my weight is above the healthy range?
If your BMI is above 25, consider speaking with your GP about sustainable weight loss options. The NHS recommends losing 0.5–1 kg per week through reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Our free weight converter and BMI calculator help track where you are relative to healthy targets.
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.