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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Healthy Weight Chart by Height and Age
Understanding your healthy weight range is an important part of managing your overall health. Your healthy weight depends primarily on your height, though age, muscle mass, and individual health factors also play a role. In the UK, the NHS uses BMI (body mass index) as the main screening tool to determine whether your weight falls within a healthy range for your height. This guide explains how height and weight interact, provides reference ranges, and helps you find where you stand using UK measurements in stone, pounds, and kilograms.
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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.
How Height Affects Your Healthy Weight Range
Your height is the primary factor determining your healthy weight range. The NHS defines a healthy BMI as 18.5 to 24.9 for most UK adults. To calculate your healthy weight range for your specific height, you can use this simple formula: healthy weight range = 18.5 × height (m)² to 24.9 × height (m)².
For example, an adult who is 5ft 8in (1.73m) tall would have a healthy weight range of approximately 55kg to 75kg (8st 10lbs to 11st 10lbs). For someone 5ft 4in (163cm), the range is roughly 49kg to 66kg (7st 10lbs to 10st 5lbs). For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds—a healthy BMI starts at 18.5 but extends only to 22.9, meaning your healthy weight range may be narrower. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your personal BMI instantly and discover your specific healthy weight range based on your height.
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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.
Does Age Affect Your Healthy Weight?
Age does not change the BMI formula itself, but it does affect body composition and health. As we age, we naturally lose muscle and gain fat—meaning your weight might stay the same but your body composition changes. This is why weight management becomes more important as we get older. For children and teenagers, age-adjusted growth charts are used instead of adult BMI categories; the NHS has specific centile-based standards for younger people.
For adults of any age, the NHS healthy weight guidance remains consistent: a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 (or 18.5–22.9 for certain ethnic backgrounds). However, older adults should discuss their individual weight target with their GP, as factors like bone density, medication, and existing health conditions may influence what's optimal for them personally.
- 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 weight range for someone 5ft 6in tall?
For an adult 5ft 6in (168cm) tall, the healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 translates to approximately 52kg to 70kg (8st 2lbs to 11st). This is based on NHS guidelines. Individual factors like muscle mass and health conditions mean your GP may advise a slightly different target. Use the weight converter on this page to see these ranges in your preferred units.
Does age change what counts as a healthy weight?
Age doesn't change the BMI formula, but body composition changes with age—you naturally lose muscle and gain fat. A consistent weight at age 25 and age 55 may reflect very different body compositions. For older adults, a GP should assess whether your individual weight target remains appropriate, considering medications and health conditions.
Why do men and women have different healthy weight ranges at the same height?
Men and women of the same height typically have different healthy weights because men usually have more muscle mass, which weighs more than fat. However, the BMI formula itself doesn't differentiate by sex—a BMI of 24 is healthy for both. Body composition analysis (not just BMI) gives a more complete picture of health.
How do I know if my weight is healthy for my height?
Calculate your BMI using your height and weight. Our free BMI calculator on this page instantly shows you whether your BMI falls into the healthy range (18.5–24.9 according to NHS guidelines). Your GP can also assess your individual health risk using waist circumference and other health markers beyond BMI alone.
Are the NHS healthy weight ranges the same for all ethnic backgrounds?
No. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at lower BMI levels. A healthy BMI for these populations is 18.5–22.9, compared to 18.5–24.9 for other adults. Your GP can advise on thresholds relevant to your background.
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.