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 Height Weight Chart — How to Use It
A BMI height weight chart shows the relationship between your height and weight to determine whether you're in a healthy range according to NHS guidelines. This chart is a quick reference tool that helps you see at a glance what weight range is healthy for your specific height. However, BMI is just one part of assessing your overall health — your GP can provide personalised guidance based on your individual circumstances. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your exact BMI and see where you fall on the chart.
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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.
Understanding BMI Categories and Healthy Weight Ranges
The BMI formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (kg ÷ m²). The result places you into one of the BMI categories UK health services use:
- Below 18.5: Underweight
- 18.5–24.9: Healthy weight (the target range)
- 25.0–29.9: Overweight
- 30.0–34.9: Obese (Class I)
- 35.0–39.9: Obese (Class II)
- 40.0+: Severely obese (Class III)
For example, an adult who is 1.73m (5ft 8in) tall would have a healthy BMI range of approximately 55–74 kg (8st 8lbs–11st 8lbs). The exact BMI range UK applies to all adults, though NHS BMI guidance recommends lower thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage due to higher health risks at lower BMI levels. Try our weight converter to see your weight in different units.
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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 to Consider
While a BMI height weight chart is useful, BMI limitations are important to understand. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat — an athlete with significant muscle mass may have a high BMI but low body fat. It also ignores where fat is stored; waist circumference matters just as much. NHS BMI guidance recommends measuring waist circumference alongside BMI:
- Men: Over 94cm (37in) = increased risk; over 102cm (40in) = high risk
- Women: Over 80cm (31.5in) = increased risk; over 88cm (34.5in) = high risk
Your GP can assess your individual health picture using BMI, waist measurement, blood pressure, and blood tests together.
- 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 my height?
A healthy BMI is 18.5–24.9 for most UK adults. To find your healthy weight range, multiply 18.5 by your height (m²) for the lower bound and 24.9 by your height (m²) for the upper bound. For example, at 1.70m, your healthy range is approximately 53–72 kg. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your exact range instantly.
Why does BMI differ for people of South Asian or Black Caribbean heritage?
Research shows these groups develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease at lower BMI levels than European populations. The NHS recommends lower thresholds: healthy BMI is 18.5–22.9 (instead of 18.5–24.9) to better reflect their individual health risk. Your GP can discuss what's appropriate for you.
How do I read a BMI height weight chart?
Find your height on the left side and your weight along the bottom, then trace to where they meet. The colour or zone shows your BMI category. Most charts use green for healthy, yellow for overweight, and red for obese ranges. Our free BMI calculator gives you a precise result without needing to read a physical chart.
Is BMI accurate for athletes or very muscular people?
No — BMI counts all weight equally, so athletes with significant muscle may appear overweight or obese despite having low body fat. If you're very muscular, discuss your results with your GP. Body composition analysis (measuring actual fat percentage) is more accurate for athletic individuals.
What should I do if my BMI is outside the healthy range?
Talk to your GP, who can assess your overall health, blood pressure, and blood sugar. They can discuss whether weight change would benefit you and what approaches suit your circumstances. Even a 5–clinically studied weight loss can improve health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol.
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.