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
Human Weight Scale — A Complete UK Health Guide
A human weight scale is a tool that measures your body weight using either mechanical or digital technology. In the UK, weight scales are essential for tracking health progress, calculating your BMI, and monitoring whether you fall within a healthy weight range according to NHS guidance. Whether you're managing your weight for health reasons or tracking progress with a weight management programme, understanding how to use a scale correctly and interpret the results is important. This guide explains everything you need to know about weight scales, measurement accuracy, and how weight fits into your overall health picture.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
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.
Types of Weight Scales and How They Work
Mechanical (dial) scales use a spring mechanism and are accurate within approximately 0.5 kg. They require no batteries and are durable, but readings can vary slightly depending on floor surface and scale position.
Digital scales use electronic sensors and typically display weight in kilograms, stone and pounds, or both — ideal for UK users. They're usually accurate within 0.1 kg and often include features like BMI calculation, though these are based on your height input.
Bioelectrical impedance scales estimate body composition by sending a small electrical current through your body. They measure weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass, but accuracy varies based on hydration levels and time of day.
Smart scales connect to apps and track progress over time. They're convenient for weight management and useful if you're following a structured weight loss plan or using a progress tracker to monitor your journey.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
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.
Getting Accurate Weight Measurements
For consistent results, weigh yourself at the same time each day — ideally in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom. Place your scale on a flat, hard surface, not on carpet or tile that may shift. Wear minimal clothing and no shoes.
Weight naturally fluctuates by 1–2 kg daily due to hydration, food intake, hormones, and sodium levels. For this reason, UK health advice recommends tracking weekly or monthly trends rather than focusing on individual daily readings. Use our free weight converter above to check how your weight compares across metric and imperial measurements, and try our free BMI calculator to see where you sit within the healthy weight range according to NHS guidance.
Digital scales are generally more accurate than mechanical scales and easier to read. If you're using your weight scale as part of a structured weight management programme — whether that's dietary changes, increased physical activity, or prescription medication — consistency matters more than precision. Record your measurements in a progress tracker to identify trends over weeks and months, which gives a much clearer picture of progress than daily weigh-ins.
- 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.
How accurate are human weight scales?
Digital scales are typically accurate within 0.1–0.5 kg, while mechanical scales are accurate within 0.5 kg. Accuracy depends on proper placement on a level surface and correct usage. For health tracking, consistency matters more than absolute precision — weekly trends are more meaningful than daily readings.
What's the best time to weigh yourself?
Weigh yourself in the morning before eating and after using the bathroom. This gives the most consistent reading because your weight is lowest after sleep and before food intake. Weigh at the same time each day to track accurate trends and avoid confusion from daily fluid and food fluctuations.
Can weight scales measure body fat?
Bioelectrical impedance scales estimate body fat percentage, but accuracy varies based on hydration, exercise, and time of day. These scales are useful for general tracking but less accurate than clinical measurements. Your GP can refer you for more precise body composition analysis if needed.
Should I weigh myself every day?
Daily weigh-ins can be discouraging because weight fluctuates naturally by 1–2 kg due to food, hydration, and hormones. NHS guidance recommends weighing weekly or monthly and tracking trends instead. Use a progress tracker to log weekly measurements and identify real progress over time.
How does weight relate to BMI and healthy weight?
Your weight alone doesn't tell the full health story. Use our free BMI calculator to see how your weight compares to your height — this gives context for whether you're in a healthy weight range according to NHS thresholds. A healthy BMI is 18.5–24.9 for most adults; lower thresholds apply for South Asian and Black African heritage.
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.