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 Women — NHS Guidelines Explained
An NHS BMI chart for women helps you understand whether your weight falls within a healthy range for your height. The NHS uses standardised BMI categories to assess health risk, though it's important to know that BMI is a screening tool only and has limitations. This guide explains how to read an NHS BMI chart, what your BMI category means, and how to use our free BMI calculator to find your personal BMI instantly.
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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 Ranges for Women
The NHS BMI chart divides women into five main categories based on BMI ranges. A healthy BMI for most women is between 18.5 and 24.9. An underweight BMI is below 18.5, overweight is 25.0 to 29.9, obese (Class I) is 30.0 to 34.9, obese (Class II) is 35.0 to 39.9, and severely obese (Class III) is 40.0 and above. However, if you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds—a healthy BMI for these groups starts at 18.5 but extends only to 22.9, with overweight starting at 23.0. To calculate your BMI, use the standard BMI formula: weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Our free BMI calculator above will compute this instantly and tell you which NHS category you fall into.
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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.
BMI Limitations and What Else Matters
While an NHS BMI chart is a useful screening tool, it has important limitations. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat—athletes or very muscular women may have a high BMI but low body fat. BMI also doesn't account for where fat is stored; abdominal fat carries higher health risks than fat stored elsewhere. Your waist circumference is equally important: the NHS recommends women keep it below 80cm (31.5 inches) for reduced risk, and below 88cm (34.5 inches) for acceptable risk. Age, bone density, and ethnicity also affect health risk at the same BMI. Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your BMI chart category means for your individual health and whether any action is needed.
- 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 healthy BMI for women according to the NHS?
The NHS defines a healthy BMI for most women as between 18.5 and 24.9. However, women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage have lower thresholds—18.5 to 22.9 is considered healthy for these groups because they have higher cardiovascular risk at the same BMI.
How do I calculate my BMI using the NHS formula?
Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. For example, a woman weighing 65kg and 1.65m tall calculates: 65 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 23.9 BMI. Use our free BMI calculator above to get your result instantly.
What BMI range means I am overweight according to NHS guidelines?
An overweight BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9 according to NHS charts. However, overweight does not mean unhealthy—many factors affect health risk. Waist circumference, fitness level, and medical history are also important. Speak to your GP for personalised guidance.
Does my BMI chart category mean I need to lose weight?
Not necessarily. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. Your GP considers your overall health, family history, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other factors when advising on weight. Even a BMI in the healthy range doesn't assures good health if other risk factors are present.
Why are BMI thresholds lower for some ethnic groups on NHS charts?
Research shows that South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean populations have higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease at the same BMI as White populations. The NHS adjusted thresholds to better reflect health risk for these groups.
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.