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
What Is The Ideal Weight For A Woman?
There's no single "ideal" weight for all women — it depends on your height, age, muscle mass, and overall health. The NHS defines healthy weight using BMI (body mass index), with a healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9 for most adults. For UK women, this typically translates to a weight range rather than a single target number. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal healthy weight range based on your height, and our weight converter to switch between kg and stone measurements.
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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 Ranges By Height For UK Women
The NHS healthy weight range for women depends on height. Here are approximate healthy weight ranges (BMI 18.5–24.9) for common UK heights:
- 5ft (152cm): 47–60kg (7st 5lbs–9st 5lbs)
- 5ft 3in (160cm): 50–64kg (7st 12lbs–10st 1lb)
- 5ft 5in (165cm): 53–67kg (8st 5lbs–10st 7lbs)
- 5ft 7in (170cm): 56–71kg (8st 12lbs–11st 2lbs)
- 5ft 9in (175cm): 59–75kg (9st 4lbs–11st 11lbs)
- 5ft 11in (180cm): 63–80kg (9st 13lbs–12st 8lbs)
These are healthy weight ranges according to NHS guidelines. Your GP can help determine what's healthy for your individual circumstances. For adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends slightly lower thresholds due to higher health risks at the same BMI level.
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.
Factors That Affect Your Ideal Weight
Ideal weight isn't one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence what's healthy for you personally:
- Muscle mass: Muscle weighs more than fat. Active women or those with strength training may weigh more at a healthy body composition.
- Frame size: Larger frames naturally carry more weight healthily than smaller frames.
- Age: Metabolism changes with age; older women may naturally carry slightly more weight.
- Ethnicity: Different ethnic groups have different health risks at the same BMI, so NHS thresholds vary.
- Health conditions: Conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, or medications can affect healthy weight.
BMI has limitations. It doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, so it's useful as a screening tool but shouldn't be your only health marker. Waist circumference also matters — the NHS recommends women keep waist circumference under 80cm (31.5in) for health.
- 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 average weight for a UK woman?
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average UK adult woman weighs approximately 71.6kg (11st 3lbs) and is around 161.6cm (5ft 3.5in) tall. This gives an average BMI of about 27.4, which falls in the overweight category. However, average doesn't mean healthy — the NHS healthy weight range is lower.
Is there a difference between ideal weight and healthy weight?
"Ideal" weight is often personal preference or aesthetic, while "healthy weight" is based on medical evidence and health outcomes. MyWeightCheck focuses on healthy weight ranges backed by NHS guidelines and BMI science. Your healthy weight range is more important than hitting a single "ideal" number.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range?
Use our free BMI calculator above — enter your height and it will show your healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9). Alternatively, use the formula: multiply your height in metres squared by 18.5 (lower bound) and 24.9 (upper bound). For example, at 1.70m tall, healthy weight is 53–71kg.
Should I aim for the lower or upper end of the healthy weight range?
The entire healthy weight range (BMI 18.5–24.9) is genuinely healthy. Where you sit in that range depends on your muscle mass, frame size, and how you feel. Some women are healthiest at the lower end, others at the upper end. Your GP can advise on what's right for you personally.
Does my ideal weight change as I age?
Healthy weight ranges (BMI categories) remain the same throughout adulthood, but your body composition naturally changes with age. After 30, most people lose muscle gradually, which can affect metabolism. Staying active and maintaining muscle mass becomes more important with age for long-term health. ```
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.