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
BMI Chart for Men — What the NHS Recommends
A BMI chart for men shows how your weight compares to your height using NHS-approved categories. Understanding your BMI is a useful first step in assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range according to NHS guidelines. This guide explains the NHS BMI categories, how to interpret your results, and what to do next. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal BMI instantly, and refer to this chart to understand what it means for your health.
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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.
NHS BMI Categories and What They Mean
The NHS defines BMI categories for adults as follows: a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight; 18.5 to 24.9 is a healthy weight; 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight; 30.0 to 34.9 is obese (Class I); 35.0 to 39.9 is obese (Class II); and 40.0 and above is severely obese (Class III). Your BMI is calculated using the simple BMI formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. For example, a man weighing 85kg and 1.75m tall would have a BMI of approximately 27.8, falling into the overweight category. However, it's important to recognise that BMI limitations exist — the BMI formula does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat, so very muscular men may have a higher BMI without excess body fat. The NHS emphasises that BMI is a useful screening tool but should not be used in isolation to assess health risk.
Weight 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.
NHS Weight Management Support and Next Steps
If your BMI falls outside the healthy range, the NHS recommends discussing this with your GP, who can assess your individual health context and offer support. The NHS weight management pathway includes tier 1 support (self-help and community programmes), tier 2 (primary care interventions), tier 3 (specialist weight management services), and tier 4 (bariatric surgery for severe obesity). Your GP may refer you to a weight management programme, which typically combines dietary advice, physical activity support, and behavioural strategies. For men with a healthy BMI range between 18.5 and 24.9, maintaining this through balanced diet and regular exercise is the NHS recommendation. Track your progress using our free progress tracker, and remember that sustainable weight changes happen gradually — the NHS recommends aiming for 0.5 to 1kg loss per week.
- 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 is a good BMI for men according to the NHS?
The NHS defines a healthy BMI range for men as 18.5 to 24.9. This range applies to most adult men regardless of ethnic background, though some ethnic groups (South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean men) face higher health risks and may benefit from aiming for the lower end of this range.
How do I calculate my BMI using the BMI formula?
The BMI formula is weight (kg) divided by height (metres) squared. For example, if you weigh 80kg and are 1.78m tall, your BMI is 80 ÷ (1.78 × 1.78) = 25.3. Our free BMI calculator on this page does this automatically for you.
What does BMI range mean if I'm very muscular?
BMI limitations are important to recognise — the formula cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. A muscular man may have a higher BMI without excess body fat. Your GP can help assess whether your weight is a health concern by considering waist circumference, fitness level, and medical history alongside BMI.
When should I contact my GP about my BMI?
Contact your GP if your BMI is below 18.5 (underweight) or 30 and above (obese), or if you have concerns about your weight and health. Your GP can assess whether the NHS weight management pathway is appropriate for you.
What is the overweight BMI threshold according to NHS guidelines?
The NHS defines overweight as a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9. Men in this range may benefit from lifestyle changes including increased physical activity and dietary adjustments. Your GP can advise whether further support is needed.
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.