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
What Is the Average Weight for Adults in the UK?
The average weight for UK adults is approximately 85.7 kg (13 stone 7 lbs) for men and 71.6 kg (11 stone 3 lbs) for women, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. However, average weight and ideal body weight are not the same thing. Your healthy weight range depends on your height, age, and overall health — not just population averages. Use our free BMI calculator above to discover your personal healthy weight range based on NHS guidelines.
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.
Average Weight by Height and Gender
Men (average height 5ft 9in / 175.3 cm): approximately 85.7 kg
Women (average height 5ft 3.5in / 161.6 cm): approximately 71.6 kg
These ONS averages mask significant variation. A healthier reference is the healthy weight range for your specific height, calculated using BMI thresholds. For example, at 5ft 8in (173 cm), the healthy weight range is approximately 55–74 kg (8st 10lbs to 11st 10lbs). At 5ft 10in (178 cm), it's 57–80 kg (9st 0lbs to 12st 8lbs).
Our free weight converter makes it easy to check your weight in both metric and imperial measurements, and the BMI calculator instantly shows whether your weight falls within the NHS healthy range for your height.
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
Ideal weight isn't one-size-fits-all. Key factors include muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat, so athletes may have a higher BMI but lower body fat), frame size (bone density varies between individuals), age (metabolism slows with age), and ethnicity (the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults due to higher health risk at lower weights). Pregnancy, medical conditions, and medications also affect healthy weight ranges. Your GP can provide personalised guidance about what healthy weight means for you specifically.
- 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 difference between average weight and healthy weight?
Average weight is the mean weight of a population group — for UK adults, around 85.7 kg for men and 71.6 kg for women. Healthy weight is your personal ideal range based on your height, age, and health status, calculated using BMI (18.5–24.9) or waist circumference. These are very different. Most UK adults are overweight or obese, so average doesn't equal healthy.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range?
Use the NHS BMI formula or our free BMI calculator on this page. For a specific height, multiply height (in metres squared) by 18.5 for the lower bound and 24.9 for the upper bound. For example, at 1.73m, the healthy range is 55–74 kg. Your GP can also advise based on your individual health profile.
Does healthy weight differ by ethnicity?
Yes. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults: healthy BMI is 18.5–22.9 instead of 18.5–24.9. This is because these groups have higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels. Ask your GP if adjusted thresholds apply to you.
Why does the average UK adult weigh more than the healthy range suggests?
According to NHS data, around 63% of UK adults are overweight or obese (BMI ≥25). This means the population average has shifted upward due to widespread excess weight, not because higher weights are healthy. The healthy weight range is based on health outcomes, not population averages.
What if my weight is higher than the healthy range?
Even a modest weight loss of 5–10% of your body weight can improve blood pressure, blood sugar control, and overall health. The NHS recommends losing 0.5–1 kg per week. Start with our BMI calculator to understand your current range, use the weight converter to track in your preferred units, and consider consulting your GP about sustainable approaches. ```
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.