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
How to Calculate Your Height in UK Measurements
Calculating your height accurately is essential for UK health assessments, whether you're checking your BMI, monitoring growth, or preparing for a medical appointment. In the UK, height is commonly measured in both centimetres (cm) and feet and inches, and understanding how to convert between these units is straightforward. Your height, combined with your weight, forms the basis of important health metrics like BMI, which NHS guidance uses to assess whether you're in a healthy weight range. Whether you need to convert your height for a health check or simply want to understand your measurements, this guide explains everything you need to know.
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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.
Height Measurement Standards in the UK
In the UK, height is officially measured in centimetres (cm) for clinical and NHS purposes, but many people still use feet and inches in everyday conversation. Understanding both measurements helps you communicate with healthcare professionals and use online health tools effectively. The standard conversion is straightforward: one centimetre equals approximately 0.3937 inches, and one inch equals 2.54 centimetres. Most UK adults range between 150–195 cm in height. For example, 173 cm converts to 5 feet 8 inches, which is close to the average height for UK adult men. When you calculate your height, ensure you're measuring barefoot, standing against a wall with your head level, as shoes and posture affect the reading. NHS health guidance and NICE recommendations for weight management rely on accurate height measurements because height directly influences your BMI calculation and determines your healthy weight range.
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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.
Using Height in Your Health Assessment
Your height is a critical input for calculating your BMI using NHS guidelines. To find your healthy weight range, you multiply your height (in metres, squared) by BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9. For example, someone who is 1.73 metres tall (173 cm or 5ft 8in) should aim for a weight between approximately 55–74 kg to fall within the healthy BMI range. Our free BMI calculator above uses your height automatically to assess your current BMI category and show you where you sit on the NHS weight spectrum. If you're tracking weight loss progress or considering weight management options, knowing your precise height ensures accurate monitoring. Recording your height once and using it consistently across health trackers, GP appointments, and fitness apps keeps your health data reliable and comparable over time.
- 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's the easiest way to convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide centimetres by 30.48 to get feet, or multiply cm by 0.3937 to get inches. For example, 173 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.68 feet, which is 5 feet 8 inches. Use our free weight converter and height tools on this site for instant conversions without a UK pharmacy calculation.
Why does height matter for weight management?
Height determines your healthy weight range and directly affects your BMI calculation. The same weight produces different BMI results at different heights. NHS weight management guidance uses height alongside weight to assess health risk, so accurate height measurement is essential for proper health screening.
Should I include shoes when measuring my height?
No, always measure barefoot. Shoes add height artificially and distort your true measurement. Stand against a wall with your head level, feet flat on the ground, and mark where the top of your head reaches. This gives the accurate baseline for health assessments and BMI calculations.
How often should I recalculate my height?
Height is relatively stable in adults but can decrease slightly with age due to spinal compression and posture changes. Measure once yearly to track any changes, especially as you get older. Use the same measurement method each time for consistency in your health records.
What if I'm between measurements—should I round up or down?
Use your most accurate measurement without rounding. If you measure 172.6 cm, enter 172.6 into BMI calculators rather than rounding to 173 cm. Precision matters for accurate health assessments. Our BMI calculator handles decimal measurements automatically for precise results.
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.