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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Height and Healthy Weight — Your BMI-Based Guide
Your healthy weight depends on your height, age, and body composition — not a single number. In the UK, we use BMI (body mass index) as a screening tool to determine whether a weight falls within a healthy range for a given height. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 according to NHS guidelines. However, ethnicity matters: adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage have different risk profiles and may have lower healthy weight thresholds. This guide explains how height and healthy weight connect, and how to find your personal healthy weight range using the BMI framework.
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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.
Healthy Weight Range by Height — BMI Framework
Your healthy weight range depends directly on your height. Using the BMI formula (weight in kg ÷ height in metres squared), we can calculate the weight range that gives a BMI of 18.5–24.9 for any height. For example:
- 5ft 6in (168cm): healthy weight range is approximately 51–69 kg (8st 0lbs–10st 11lbs)
- 5ft 8in (173cm): healthy weight range is approximately 55–75 kg (8st 10lbs–11st 10lbs)
- 5ft 10in (178cm): healthy weight range is approximately 59–80 kg (9st 4lbs–12st 8lbs)
- 6ft (183cm): healthy weight range is approximately 64–86 kg (10st 1lbs–13st 8lbs)
These ranges assume an adult with a typical body composition. The NHS recommends using your BMI calculator to find your exact personal range, as individual factors like muscle mass and body composition also matter. Remember, a healthy BMI alone does not assures good health — waist circumference is equally important.
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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 the BMI Calculator to Find Your Healthy Weight
Rather than memorising height-to-weight tables, use our free BMI calculator on this page to instantly discover your personal healthy weight range. Simply enter your height in feet and inches (or centimetres) and your current weight in stone, pounds, or kilograms. The calculator will show you where you fall on the BMI scale and your ideal weight band for your height.
If you're outside the healthy range, the calculator also indicates how much weight loss or gain would move you into the healthy BMI zone. This personalised approach is much more useful than generic averages, as it accounts for your unique height. You can also use our free weight converter to switch between kg, stone, and pounds — helpful if you're comparing your weight to health resources that use different units.
- 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 average UK weight for my height?
Average UK weight varies by height and sex. For example, the average UK woman is approximately 161.6 cm (5ft 3in) and weighs about 71.6 kg (11st 3lbs), with an average BMI of 27.4. The average UK man is 175.3 cm (5ft 9in) and weighs about 85.7 kg (13st 7lbs), with an average BMI of 27.9. However, average does not mean healthy — both figures fall into the overweight BMI category. Use the BMI calculator to find the healthy weight range for your specific height.
How much should I weigh if I'm 5ft 8in tall?
If you're 5ft 8in (173 cm), a healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) corresponds to a weight of approximately 55–75 kg (8st 10lbs–11st 10lbs). However, this assumes average body composition. Factors like age, sex, and muscle mass affect where within this range is healthiest for you. Your GP can give personalised guidance, and our BMI calculator above can show your exact healthy range in seconds.
Does healthy weight differ by ethnicity?
Yes. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage because these groups have higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI levels. For these populations, a healthy BMI range is 18.5–22.9 instead of the standard 18.5–24.9. If you're in one of these groups, ask your GP about your personal healthy weight range.
Is BMI the only measure of healthy weight?
No. BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations — it does not distinguish between muscle and fat, does not account for where fat is stored, and may be less accurate in elderly adults or during pregnancy. Waist circumference is equally important: men should aim for under 94 cm (37 inches), and women under 80 cm (31.5 inches). Discuss your overall health with your GP, not just BMI.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range?
Use our free BMI calculator on this page — it does the maths instantly. Alternatively, multiply your height in metres by itself, then multiply by 18.5 for the lower healthy weight, and by 24.9 for the upper healthy weight. For example, at 1.73m: lower = 18.5 × (1.73)² = 55.4 kg; upper = 24.9 × (1.73)² = 74.5 kg. The calculator is much faster and shows results in both kg and stone.
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.