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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BMI Chart for Women in the UK: Understanding Your Category
A BMI chart for women in the UK shows where your weight falls according to NHS guidelines. Your BMI (body mass index) is calculated from your height and weight, and helps indicate whether you're in a healthy weight range. This guide explains the NHS BMI categories for adult women, how to find your BMI, and what your result means for your health. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal BMI instantly, or read on to understand the categories and how the NHS BMI formula works.
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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 for Adult Women in the UK
The NHS BMI categories for adult women are the same as for men, based on the standard BMI formula used across the UK health system. According to NHS guidelines, here are the healthy BMI range and weight categories:
- Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25.0 to 29.9
- Obese (Class I): BMI 30.0 to 34.9
- Obese (Class II): BMI 35.0 to 39.9
- Severely obese (Class III): BMI 40.0 and above
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
The BMI formula is: weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². For example, a woman who is 1.65m tall and weighs 65kg has a BMI of 65 ÷ (1.65)² = 23.9, which falls in the healthy weight range. Your GP can provide personalised guidance on what your BMI means for your individual health, as BMI is a screening tool rather than a definitive measure of health.
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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.
Important Limitations of BMI Charts for Women
While BMI charts are useful, they have important BMI limitations to understand. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat — athletes or women with higher muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat. BMI also doesn't account for where fat is stored; waist circumference is equally important. Additionally, the NHS recommends adjusted BMI thresholds for women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, as these groups face higher health risks at lower BMI levels. Combine BMI with other measures like waist-to-hip ratio and your overall fitness level for a complete health picture. Use the weight converter on this page to check your weight in stone and kg, and discuss your results with your GP.
- 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 BMI range is healthy for UK women?
According to NHS guidelines, a healthy BMI for women is 18.5 to 24.9. This range indicates a healthy weight relative to height. However, BMI is just one screening tool — your GP can provide personalised advice about what's healthy for you based on your individual health, fitness level, and medical history.
How do I calculate my BMI as a woman?
Use the BMI formula: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (weight ÷ height²). For example, if you weigh 70kg and are 1.68m tall, your BMI is 70 ÷ (1.68)² = 24.8. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your BMI instantly without a UK pharmacy calculation.
Do women have different BMI categories than men?
No — the NHS BMI categories are the same for all adults regardless of sex. However, women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage should use lower adjusted thresholds (healthy range 18.5 to 22.9) as recommended by the NHS, because these groups face higher health risks at the same BMI as other populations.
What should I do if my BMI is in the overweight category?
If your BMI falls in the overweight range (25.0 to 29.9), consider speaking to your GP about healthy lifestyle changes. The NHS recommends a sustainable weight loss rate of 0.5 to 1kg per week through a balanced diet and increased physical activity. Your GP can offer support and may refer you to local weight management programmes.
Are there other measures I should use alongside BMI?
Yes — waist circumference is important. The NHS recommends that women aim for a waist circumference below 80cm (31.5 inches) for health, with increased risk above 88cm (34.5 inches). BMI also doesn't account for muscle mass or fitness — combining BMI with these other measures gives a more complete picture of your health.
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.