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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Female BMI Chart UK — What the NHS Says
A BMI chart for women in the UK helps you understand where your weight falls on the NHS health scale. Unlike generic charts, UK BMI guidance takes into account ethnicity, age, and individual health factors. This guide shows you the NHS BMI categories, how to interpret your results, and what they mean for your health. Whether you're checking your current weight or tracking progress, understanding the female BMI chart is an important first step in managing your wellbeing.
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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 for Women
The NHS BMI chart divides women into five main categories based on BMI score. According to NHS guidelines, a healthy BMI for most women falls between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI below 18.5 is classified as underweight, while a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight. Obesity is classified in three tiers: Class I (BMI 30.0–34.9), Class II (BMI 35.0–39.9), and Class III or severe obesity (BMI 40.0 and above).
Important: If you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds. For these groups, a healthy BMI range is 18.5 to 22.9, and overweight begins at 23.0. This is because these populations face higher health risks at lower BMI levels.
Calculate your personal BMI using our free BMI calculator above to see where you fall on the chart. Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your BMI means for your individual health profile, taking into account your medical history and other risk factors.
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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.
When to Seek NHS Support for Weight Management
The NHS recommends considering weight management support if your BMI is 25 or above, or if you have a BMI of 23–24.9 with weight-related health conditions. Weight-related conditions include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, or sleep apnoea.
Start by speaking to your GP, who can assess your individual situation and may refer you to a specialist weight management service (sometimes called tier 3 services). The NHS weight management pathway includes lifestyle support, behaviour change programmes, and in some cases, prescription medication. Your GP can also help you set realistic weight loss goals and monitor your progress 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 is the healthy BMI range for UK women according to the NHS?
For most UK women, a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 according to NHS guidelines. However, if you are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends a lower range of 18.5 to 22.9. Your GP can advise you on what's healthy for your individual circumstances.
Why does the NHS BMI chart differ for certain ethnic backgrounds?
Research shows that people of South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage have higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels compared to white European populations. The NHS adjusted its thresholds for these groups to better reflect their health risk profiles and ensure earlier intervention when needed.
What BMI limitations should I know about as a woman?
BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat — if you're very muscular, your BMI may be higher even with low body fat. BMI also doesn't account for where fat is stored (waist circumference matters), hormonal changes, or bone density. Use the BMI chart as a screening tool alongside other health measures, not as a complete health picture.
At what BMI should I contact my GP about weight management?
Contact your GP if your BMI is 25 or above, or if you have a BMI of 23–24.9 with weight-related health conditions like hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Your GP can assess your overall health, discuss weight management options, and refer you to NHS support services if appropriate.
How can I track my BMI progress over time?
Use our free BMI calculator above to check your BMI regularly (monthly or quarterly works well). You can also use our free progress tracker to log your weight changes alongside other health metrics. Keep records to share with your GP — this helps identify trends and adjust your approach if needed.
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.