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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What's a Normal Weight For Women in the UK?
A normal or healthy weight for women in the UK is defined by a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, according to NHS guidelines. However, your ideal body weight depends on your height, age, and individual body composition — there's no single "correct" weight that applies to all women. This guide explains how to calculate your healthy weight range using the BMI framework and what factors influence whether a weight is healthy for you specifically.
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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 Range For Women By Height
The healthy weight range for women varies significantly by height. Using the NHS BMI framework, a healthy weight is achieved when your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. For example:
- At 5ft 2in (158cm): healthy weight range is approximately 47–62 kg (7st 5lbs – 9st 10lbs)
- At 5ft 4in (163cm): healthy weight range is approximately 49–66 kg (7st 10lbs – 10st 5lbs)
- At 5ft 6in (168cm): healthy weight range is approximately 52–70 kg (8st 2lbs – 11st 0lbs)
- At 5ft 8in (173cm): healthy weight range is approximately 55–74 kg (8st 10lbs – 11st 10lbs)
These ranges are calculated using the formula: healthy BMI × height² = weight in kg. Your actual ideal body weight within this range depends on factors including muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic rate. Use our free BMI calculator above to find your personal healthy weight range based on your exact height.
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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 BMI To Understand Your Healthy Weight
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it's important to understand its limitations. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat — a muscular woman may have a higher BMI than expected whilst remaining very healthy. BMI also doesn't account for where fat is stored; waist circumference is equally important. For this reason, the NHS recommends considering BMI alongside other health measures like waist measurement and overall fitness level.
For women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds (18.5–22.9 for healthy weight), as these groups face higher health risks at lower BMI levels. Always discuss your personal healthy weight with your GP, who can assess your individual health context.
- 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 the average UK weight for women?
The average UK adult woman weighs approximately 71.6 kg (11st 3lbs), according to Office for National Statistics data. However, "average" is not the same as "healthy" — the NHS defines healthy weight by BMI (18.5–24.9), not by average population weight.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range?
Calculate your healthy weight range using the formula: BMI 18.5 × your height in metres squared = lower bound; BMI 24.9 × your height in metres squared = upper bound. Alternatively, use our free BMI calculator on this page to find your range instantly based on your height.
Is 70kg a normal weight for women?
Whether 70kg is healthy depends on your height. At 5ft 8in, 70kg gives a BMI of 25.2 (slightly overweight). At 5ft 10in, 70kg gives a BMI of 22.8 (healthy weight). Use the weight converter and BMI calculator on this page to check your personal BMI.
Does healthy weight differ for different ethnicities?
Yes. The NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds for women of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage — a healthy weight range of BMI 18.5–22.9 rather than the standard 18.5–24.9. This reflects higher health risks at lower BMI levels in these populations.
What factors affect whether a weight is "healthy" for me?
Beyond BMI, factors include muscle mass (muscle weighs more than fat), bone density, age, fitness level, medical history, and waist circumference. A woman with high muscle mass may weigh more than her BMI suggests. Always discuss your personal healthy weight with your GP for personalised guidance.
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.