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 — NHS Guidelines and Healthy Ranges
A BMI chart for women helps you understand where your weight sits within NHS health categories. Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated from your height and weight, and the NHS uses specific BMI ranges to assess whether you're in a healthy weight bracket. This guide explains the NHS BMI categories, what your BMI means, and when to seek support from your GP. Remember that BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or where fat is stored on your body.
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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 for Women
The NHS BMI categories are the same for all adults, regardless of sex. Here's the breakdown:
- Below 18.5: Underweight — you may need to gain weight for optimal health
- 18.5 to 24.9: Healthy weight — this is the target range the NHS recommends
- 25.0 to 29.9: Overweight — increased health risks, lifestyle changes recommended
- 30.0 to 34.9: Obese (Class I) — higher risk of weight-related conditions
- 35.0 to 39.9: Obese (Class II) — significantly increased health risks
- 40.0 and above: Severely obese (Class III) — very high health risks, medical support important
If you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at lower BMI levels. For these populations, a healthy BMI starts at 18.5 but reduces to 22.9 at the upper end, with overweight starting at 23.0.
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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.
NHS Weight Management Pathway and When to Seek Help
If your BMI falls outside the healthy range, the NHS offers support through a structured weight management pathway. Tier 1 includes self-help resources, digital tools (like the free BMI calculator on this page), and community programmes. Tier 2 involves your GP, who can discuss lifestyle changes and behaviour support. Tier 3 provides specialist multidisciplinary weight management services, where prescription medications may be considered alongside diet and exercise. Tier 4 covers bariatric surgery for severe obesity with serious health complications. Contact your GP to discuss which tier is appropriate for you — there's no judgment, and support is available at every stage of your weight health journey.
- 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.
How do I calculate my BMI using the NHS formula?
BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared (BMI = kg ÷ m²). For example, if you weigh 70kg and are 1.65m tall, your BMI is 70 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 25.7. Use our free BMI calculator on this page to work this out instantly — no need to do the maths yourself.
Is BMI different for women than for men?
No, the BMI formula and NHS categories are identical for women and men. However, women typically have a higher body fat percentage at the same BMI than men due to biological differences. BMI also doesn't account for muscle mass, so athletes of any gender may have high BMI despite low body fat. Your GP can assess your individual health beyond BMI alone.
What's the healthy BMI range according to the NHS?
The NHS defines healthy weight as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for most adults. For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the upper limit is 22.9 instead of 24.9. A BMI calculator can instantly show where you fall — try the one on this page.
What should I do if my BMI chart shows I'm overweight?
Start with small, sustainable lifestyle changes: increase physical activity, reduce calorie intake slightly, and eat more whole foods. Your GP can discuss personalised support, which may include referral to a structured weight management programme. The NHS Weight Loss Plan and local community programmes offer free guidance to help you move toward a healthier BMI range.
Are there limitations to using a BMI chart?
Yes. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular or athletic women may have high BMI despite being fit. It also doesn't account for where fat is stored (waist measurement matters for health). Age, bone density, and medical conditions all affect what BMI means for you personally — discuss your individual situation with your GP rather than relying solely on BMI.
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.