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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How Can You Measure Your Height Accurately?
Measuring your height accurately is one of the simplest yet most important health measurements you can take at home. Whether you're tracking your BMI, monitoring your health, or preparing for a GP appointment, knowing your exact height is essential. This UK health guide walks you through the correct method for measuring your height, explains why it matters, and shows you how to use your measurement with our free BMI calculator to understand your overall health status.
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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.
Step-by-Step UK Method for Measuring Height
Follow this simple process to measure your height accurately at home:
- Find a level floor and flat wall. Avoid carpeted areas — use a hard surface like tile or wood. The wall must be perfectly vertical and unobstructed.
- Remove your shoes. Measure in bare feet or thin socks only. Thick soles or heels add unwanted height.
- Stand with heels against the wall. Keep your heels, bottom, shoulders, and the back of your head all touching the wall. Look straight ahead — not up or down.
- Mark the top of your head. Have someone else mark where the top of your head aligns with the wall using a pencil or tape. Alternatively, balance a book flat on your head and mark where it meets the wall.
- Measure from floor to mark. Use a measuring tape or metre stick. Record the measurement in centimetres (cm). If you prefer inches, note that 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
Repeat the measurement 2–3 times to confirm accuracy. Record your height to the nearest 0.5 cm for best results with NHS health guidance and BMI calculations.
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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.
Why Height Matters for Your Health
Your height is a critical input for BMI calculations — the NHS standard for assessing healthy weight ranges. Small errors in height measurement can significantly affect your BMI category and health recommendations. Height also affects calorie requirements, medication dosing, and screening thresholds for certain health conditions. Recording your height accurately at home allows you to use our free BMI calculator to check whether you fall within a healthy weight range for your age and build. This empowers you to make informed decisions about weight management and identify when to seek GP advice about your health status.
- 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 difference between measuring height at home versus at a GP surgery?
NHS GP surgeries use calibrated stadiometers (wall-mounted height measures) for clinical accuracy. Home measurements using a tape measure are reliable if done carefully following the method above. Small variations (±0.5 cm) are normal and don't significantly affect BMI calculations. If you need height for a medical assessment, ask your GP to measure you at your next appointment.
Should I measure my height in centimetres or feet and inches?
The NHS uses centimetres (cm) for all official health measurements. However, the UK commonly uses feet and inches in everyday life. Record your height in cm for BMI calculator use, then convert to feet and inches if preferred. Our free weight converter also handles height conversions between these units.
How often should I remeasure my height?
Adult height is essentially fixed from late teens onwards. Most people measure once and note it as a baseline. However, some shrinkage occurs naturally with age — remeasuring every 5–10 years in older age is sensible. If you notice significant height loss (>2 cm), discuss this with your GP as it can indicate bone health issues.
Does my height change throughout the day?
Yes, slightly. You're typically taller in the morning (by up to 1 cm) due to spinal fluid and disc hydration. This is normal and doesn't affect your BMI calculation. Measure at a consistent time if tracking changes, though this variation is clinically insignificant for health assessments.
What should I do if I measure different heights on different days?
Small variations (0–0.5 cm) are normal due to posture, timing, and measurement technique. If you see larger differences (>0.5 cm), recheck your technique — ensure the wall is truly vertical, you're standing fully upright, and the mark is level. Use the average of 2–3 measurements as your official height for BMI and health calculations.
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.