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 Table by Height and Weight — How to Use It
A BMI table by height and weight shows you exactly where your measurements fall on the NHS scale. This quick reference guide uses UK measurements (stone, kg, and BMI categories) to help you understand whether your weight is in the healthy range for your height. Our free BMI calculator above makes this even easier — you can enter your exact measurements and get an gradual improvement, but this table gives you a visual overview of healthy weight ranges across different heights.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
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 Healthy Weight Ranges
The BMI formula is weight (kg) divided by height (metres) squared. The NHS BMI range system divides adults into four categories based on this calculation. A healthy BMI sits between 18.5 and 24.9 for most UK adults. An overweight BMI threshold starts at 25.0, obesity at 30.0, and severe obesity at 40.0.
For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS BMI thresholds are lower — a healthy BMI starts at 18.5 but extends only to 22.9, with overweight beginning at 23.0. This reflects the higher health risks these populations face at lower BMI levels.
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Healthy weight: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
- Obese (Class I): 30.0 to 34.9
- Obese (Class II): 35.0 to 39.9
- Severely obese (Class III): 40.0 and above
Clinically BackedWeight 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.
BMI Limitations and What Else Matters
While a BMI calculator is useful, BMI limitations are important to understand. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat — athletes or very muscular individuals may have a high BMI while having low body fat. It also ignores where fat is stored on the body, which matters for health risk.
The NHS recommends checking your waist circumference alongside BMI. For men, over 94 cm (37 inches) indicates increased risk; over 102 cm (40 inches) is high risk. For women, over 80 cm (31.5 inches) shows increased risk; over 88 cm (34.5 inches) is high risk. Your GP can discuss what your BMI and waist measurement mean for your individual health.
- 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 an adult in the UK?
According to NHS guidelines, a healthy BMI for most UK adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the healthy range is 18.5 to 22.9 due to higher cardiovascular risk at lower BMI levels. Use our free BMI calculator to check your personal healthy weight range based on your exact height.
How do I find my healthy weight from a BMI table?
Find your height on the left side of the table, then look across to see the weight range that falls in the healthy BMI category (18.5–24.9). For example, at 5ft 8in (173 cm), a healthy weight falls between approximately 55 kg (8st 8lbs) and 74 kg (11st 9lbs). Remember this varies based on frame size and muscle mass.
Why are BMI thresholds different for different ethnicities?
Research shows that South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean populations have higher risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease at lower BMI levels than white European populations. The NHS adjusted thresholds reflect this evidence, with healthy BMI extending only to 22.9 rather than 24.9 for these groups.
Is BMI the only measure of healthy weight?
No. BMI is a screening tool but has limitations — it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Waist circumference is equally important. The NHS recommends checking both BMI and waist measurement for a complete picture of health risk. Your GP can interpret these measures in the context of your individual health.
Can I use a BMI table if I'm very muscular or athletic?
BMI tables may not be accurate for very muscular individuals, as muscle weighs more than fat. If you're athletic or regularly strength-train, discuss your BMI result with your GP, who can assess your actual body composition and health risk more accurately than BMI alone.
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.