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
Height and Weight — What's Healthy in the UK?
Your height and weight together determine your BMI and help your GP assess your overall health risk. In the UK, we use stone and kilograms to measure weight, and centimetres or feet and inches for height. Understanding how these measurements relate to each other — and to NHS health guidance — is the first step toward managing your weight effectively. This guide explains UK standards, healthy ranges, and how to use your personal measurements to take action.
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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.
UK Health Standards for Height and Weight
The NHS uses BMI (Body Mass Index) as the primary screening tool to assess whether your height and weight combination suggests a healthy weight. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. According to NHS guidance, a healthy BMI for most UK adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. However, for adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds, as these groups face higher health risks at the same BMI levels — a healthy range starts at 18.5 but tops out at 22.9.
Your height and weight matter together because taller individuals naturally weigh more without necessarily being less healthy. This is why BMI accounts for both measurements. The average UK adult man stands at approximately 175.3 cm (5ft 9in) and weighs around 85.7 kg (13st 7lbs), with an average BMI of 27.9. The average UK adult woman is approximately 161.6 cm (5ft 3.5in) and weighs around 71.6 kg (11st 3lbs), also with an average BMI of 27.4. These averages show that most UK adults currently fall into the overweight category, highlighting the importance of weight management guidance from the NHS.
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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 Your Height and Weight for Health Planning
Once you know your height and weight measurements, use our free BMI calculator above to instantly see where you fall on the NHS health scale. This gives you a clear starting point for any conversations with your GP about health and weight management. You can also use our weight converter to switch between kg, stone, and pounds — helpful if you need to compare your measurements across different UK resources or health services. If weight loss is a goal, our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help you explore realistic projections based on current evidence. Remember that BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis — your waist measurement and overall fitness also matter. Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your specific height and weight mean for your individual health risks and opportunities.
- 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 healthy weight range for my height in the UK?
Use the BMI calculator on this page with your height and weight to find your healthy range instantly. According to NHS guidance, a BMI of 18.5–24.9 is healthy for most UK adults. Your GP can also calculate a personalised healthy weight range for you based on your individual health profile and medical history.
How do I convert my height and weight between UK and metric measurements?
Use our free weight converter to switch between kilograms, stone, and pounds instantly. For height, 1 inch equals 2.54 cm — so 5ft 9in equals approximately 175 cm. The conversion tools on this page handle the maths for you.
Why is my height important when calculating healthy weight?
Height and weight together determine your BMI, which screens for health risks. Taller people naturally weigh more — a person who is 6ft tall will weigh more than someone 5ft tall at the same healthy BMI. This is why height must be included in any meaningful weight assessment.
Does the NHS guidance on healthy weight differ for different ethnic groups?
Yes. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage — a healthy range of 18.5–22.9 rather than 18.5–24.9. This reflects higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at the same BMI in these populations.
What should I do if my height and weight suggest I'm overweight?
Start by speaking to your GP, who can assess your individual health context and discuss weight management options with you. The NHS offers free resources including weight loss programmes, behaviour change support, and in some cases prescription medication. Your GP can refer you to specialist services if appropriate.
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.