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
Body Weighing Scale — Choosing and Using One for UK Health
A body weighing scale is one of the most practical tools for tracking your weight and monitoring your health journey. In the UK, accurate weight measurement is important for calculating BMI, understanding your healthy weight range, and assessing whether you're at risk from weight-related health conditions. Whether you're managing your weight for general health or working with a healthcare professional on a structured weight management plan, having a reliable scale and knowing how to use it correctly can make a real difference to your progress and motivation.
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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.
How to Choose an Accurate Body Weighing Scale
Not all body weighing scales are equal. Digital scales are generally more accurate than analogue dial scales, with most modern digital models accurate to within 0.1–0.5 kg. Look for scales with a clear LCD display, capacity of at least 150 kg, and preferably a non-slip surface for safety.
- Check the maximum weight capacity — ensure it matches or exceeds your current weight
- Test on a flat, hard surface — bathroom tiles or kitchen floors are ideal; carpet can give inaccurate readings
- Calibrate regularly — some scales have a calibration setting; check the a UK pharmacy
- Consider body composition scales — these also estimate body fat percentage, though accuracy varies
Smart scales that sync with phone apps can help you track trends over weeks and months, which can be more useful than obsessing over daily fluctuations. Remember that weight naturally varies by 1–2 kg throughout the day depending on hydration, meals, and hormonal factors.
Weight 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.
Using Your Scale Correctly and Tracking Progress
For consistent, reliable measurements, weigh yourself at the same time each day — ideally in the morning before eating or drinking, wearing minimal clothing. Stand still on the scale with your weight distributed evenly across both feet. Record your weight regularly to spot trends rather than focusing on single daily readings.
Once you know your weight, use our free BMI calculator above to understand where you sit on the UK health scale. Our weight converter can also help you switch between kilograms, stone, and pounds if you prefer tracking in different units. If you're working on weight loss alongside lifestyle changes or with a healthcare professional, our free progress tracker helps you log trends over time, which is far more valuable than obsessing over daily changes.
- 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 often should I weigh myself?
Weighing yourself once a week, on the same day and time, is generally ideal for tracking progress without fixating on daily fluctuations. Daily weighing can be demoralising due to natural water weight variations. However, some people find weekly or fortnightly weighing less stressful and equally effective for long-term weight management.
Why does my weight change so much from day to day?
Weight naturally fluctuates by 1–3 kg daily due to hydration levels, meal timing, hormones, exercise-induced inflammation, and digestive transit. These changes are normal and temporary. Focus on trends over weeks rather than daily numbers when assessing real progress.
Are smart body scales that measure body fat percentage accurate?
Smart scales using bioelectrical impedance (BIA) provide estimates of body fat percentage but are less accurate than methods like DEXA scans. They can show trends over time, which is useful, but the exact percentage may vary. They work best as a tracking tool, not for precise measurement.
Should I use my bathroom scale or a pharmacy scale?
Pharmacy scales are often larger and better calibrated, which can give more consistent readings if you're concerned about accuracy. However, a well-maintained home digital scale is generally reliable for tracking your own progress. The consistency matters more than absolute precision — use the same scale regularly.
What healthy weight range should I be aiming for on my scale?
Your healthy weight depends on your height, age, and individual health factors. Calculate your BMI using our free tool on this page — a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy by NHS guidelines. Your GP can give personalised advice based on your health history and weight-related conditions.
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.