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 a Healthy Weight For Your Height?
Finding a healthy weight for your height is one of the best ways to understand your personal health risk. In the UK, the NHS uses BMI (body mass index) to assess whether your weight is healthy for your height, with different thresholds depending on your ethnic background. Rather than aiming for a single "ideal" weight, health professionals focus on healthy weight ranges — and even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can have meaningful health benefits. Use our free BMI calculator above to find where your current weight sits, and discover what a healthy weight range looks like for your specific height.
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.
Understanding Healthy Weight Ranges
The NHS defines healthy weight as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 for most adults. However, this isn't a one-size-fits-all number — your ideal weight depends on several factors:
- Height: Taller people have a naturally higher healthy weight range than shorter people
- Age: Muscle mass changes with age, affecting healthy weight
- Ethnicity: For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults, the NHS recommends a lower healthy BMI range of 18.5–22.9, as these groups face higher health risks at the same weight
- Body composition: Muscle weighs more than fat, so athletes may have a higher BMI while being very healthy
To find your personalised healthy weight range for your height, use the free weight converter and BMI calculator on this page. Simply enter your height, and the calculator will show you the weight range that corresponds to a healthy BMI.
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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.
How to Calculate Your Ideal Weight Range
The formula for calculating a healthy weight range is straightforward. Multiply your height in metres by itself, then multiply by 18.5 and 24.9. For example, if you're 1.73 metres tall (5ft 8in), your healthy weight range is:
- Lower bound: 18.5 × (1.73)² = 55.4 kg (8st 10lbs)
- Upper bound: 24.9 × (1.73)² = 74.5 kg (11st 10lbs)
This means a healthy weight at that height is between 55 kg and 75 kg. However, remember that BMI has limitations — it doesn't account for muscle mass. Your GP can provide personalised health advice for your specific situation, and our BMI calculator above offers gradual improvement for your height.
- 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 a healthy weight for someone who is 5ft 6in tall?
For someone who is 5ft 6in (168cm), a healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 corresponds to approximately 52–70 kg (8st 2lbs to 11st). Use our free BMI calculator and weight converter above to see your exact healthy weight range based on your height.
Does healthy weight for height change with age?
Whilst BMI categories remain the same across ages, healthy weight can be affected by changes in muscle mass. As we age, muscle naturally decreases, which can affect body composition even at the same weight. Always consult your GP for personalised health advice.
Why do different ethnic backgrounds have different healthy weight ranges?
Research shows that people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage have higher health risks at lower BMI levels. The NHS recommends a healthy BMI of 18.5–22.9 for these groups instead of 18.5–24.9, reflecting their increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Is healthy weight for height the same as ideal weight?
Healthy weight and ideal weight are related but not identical. Healthy weight is based on BMI and health risk. Ideal weight may also account for body composition, muscle mass, and personal fitness goals. Your GP can help determine what's ideal for your individual health.
Can I lose weight to reach a healthy range for my height?
Yes. Losing even 5–10% of your body weight can improve health outcomes including blood pressure, blood sugar control, and joint health. The NHS recommends losing 0.5–1 kg per week for sustainable results. Track your progress with our free progress tracker, and always consult your GP before starting any weight management programme.
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.