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's the Ideal Weight for Women in the UK?
There's no single "ideal" weight for women — it depends on your height, age, and body composition. However, the NHS defines a healthy weight range based on BMI (Body Mass Index), which for most adults falls between 18.5 and 24.9. This guide explains how to find your personal healthy weight range using the BMI framework and UK measurements. Use our free BMI calculator above to determine where your current weight sits and what range might be healthy for your height.
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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.
Healthy Weight Range for Women: BMI-Based Approach
The NHS healthy weight framework uses BMI to define healthy weight ranges. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy for most adult women. To find your specific healthy weight range, you multiply your height in metres by itself, then divide your weight in kilograms by that number.
For example, if you're 1.65m tall (5ft 5in), your healthy weight range is approximately 50kg to 67kg (7st 12lbs to 10st 7lbs). For a woman 1.73m tall (5ft 8in), the healthy range is roughly 55kg to 74kg (8st 9lbs to 11st 8lbs).
Important context: BMI has limitations — it doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, and doesn't account for where fat is stored. The NHS also recommends measuring waist circumference alongside BMI. A waist measurement over 80cm (31.5 inches) indicates increased health risk, even within a healthy BMI range.
For women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds: a healthy BMI is 18.5 to 22.9, with overweight starting at 23.0.
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.
Using the BMI Calculator to Find Your Ideal Weight Range
Rather than chasing a single number, use our free BMI calculator on this page to explore your healthy weight range for your height. Enter your height and different weights to see where they fall on the BMI scale — this shows you the range rather than an impossible "ideal."
A practical approach: aim for a weight that puts you in the healthy BMI range (18.5–24.9) for your height, feels sustainable to maintain, and supports your energy and wellbeing. Small changes matter — even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can bring significant health benefits including improved blood pressure, better blood sugar control, and reduced joint strain.
Remember that average UK weight for women is around 71.6kg (11st 3lbs), but this is an average, not a target. Your ideal weight is the one that's healthy for your individual height and brings you wellbeing.
- 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 considered an ideal weight for a woman?
There's no single ideal weight — it depends on your height, age, and body composition. The NHS uses BMI to define healthy weight: 18.5–24.9 is healthy for most women. Use the BMI calculator on this page to find your personal healthy range based on your height. For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Caribbean women, the healthy range is lower: 18.5–22.9.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range for my height?
Multiply your height in metres by itself, then divide your weight in kg by that number to get your BMI. A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is healthy. Alternatively, use our free BMI calculator above — enter your height and it will show you the exact weight range that falls into the healthy category.
Is BMI the only way to assess if my weight is healthy?
No. BMI is useful but has limitations — it doesn't distinguish muscle from fat. The NHS recommends also measuring your waist circumference: over 80cm indicates increased health risk. Body composition, fitness level, and how you feel matter too. Discuss your personal health with your GP.
What's the average weight for UK women?
The average UK adult woman weighs approximately 71.6kg (11st 3lbs) and is about 161.6cm (5ft 3.5in) tall. However, average doesn't mean ideal — your healthy weight depends on your individual height, age, and body composition, not population averages.
Can I use an ideal weight calculator instead of BMI?
Ideal weight calculators (like the Devine or Robinson formulas) provide estimates but aren't perfect — they give a single number rather than a range. The NHS BMI approach is more flexible and accounts for individual variation. Use our weight converter and BMI calculator together for the most complete picture of your healthy weight range.
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.