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 A Healthy Weight for Your Height?
A healthy weight depends on your height, age, sex, and body composition — not a single number that fits everyone. According to NHS guidelines, a healthy weight falls within a BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9 for most adults, though lower thresholds apply for people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean heritage. Our free BMI calculator above helps you find where you sit within the healthy weight range for your specific height. Individual circumstances vary significantly, and your GP can provide personalised guidance on what healthy weight means for your health.
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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.
NHS Healthy Weight Ranges and Average UK Data
Healthy weight range is calculated using your height and the NHS BMI categories. For example, at 5ft 8in (173cm), a healthy weight for an adult falls between approximately 55.4kg (8st 10lbs) and 74.5kg (11st 10lbs). At 5ft 5in (165cm), the range is roughly 48.7kg (7st 8lbs) to 65.2kg (10st 3lbs).
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average UK adult man weighs approximately 85.7kg (13st 7lbs) at a height of 175cm, whilst the average UK adult woman weighs around 71.6kg (11st 3lbs) at 162cm. However, averages do not equal healthy — the average UK BMI is approximately 27.4, which falls in the overweight category.
Ethnicity matters: For South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean adults, the NHS recommends lower BMI thresholds — a healthy weight range begins at BMI 18.5 but extends only to 22.9, not 24.9. This reflects higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at the same BMI in these populations.
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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 Body Weight
Muscle mass is the most important variable — muscle weighs more than fat. Two people at the same height and weight can have vastly different body compositions and health outcomes. This is why BMI has limitations and should be considered alongside waist circumference (over 94cm for men or 80cm for women signals increased health risk).
Frame size, age, and genetics also play significant roles. Larger-framed individuals may have a naturally higher healthy weight than small-framed adults at the same height. Muscle mass naturally declines with age, and hormonal changes across the lifespan affect weight distribution. Your GP or a registered dietitian can assess your individual ideal weight rather than relying on a calculator alone.
- 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 NHS definition of a healthy weight?
The NHS defines healthy weight using BMI (body mass index) — a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy for most adults. For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the healthy range is 18.5 to 22.9. You can check your BMI instantly using our free BMI calculator above.
What's the difference between healthy weight and ideal weight?
Healthy weight is a BMI-based range recommended by the NHS for general health. Ideal weight is more personal — it depends on your muscle mass, frame size, age, and individual health goals. Two people with the same healthy weight can have different ideal weights based on their body composition and circumstances.
Is the average UK weight the same as a healthy weight?
No. The average UK adult is overweight or obese by NHS standards. Average doesn't mean healthy — it simply reflects population trends. The average UK man weighs 85.7kg (13st 7lbs) with a BMI of 27.9, which is in the overweight category, not the healthy range.
How do I calculate my healthy weight range for my height?
Use our free BMI calculator on this page — enter your height and current weight to see exactly where you fall. You can also use a weight converter to explore what different BMI ranges mean in stone, kilograms, and pounds for your specific height.
Do ethnicity and age affect what counts as a healthy weight?
Yes. Age affects muscle loss and metabolism, while ethnicity affects health risk at the same BMI. NHS guidance recommends lower BMI thresholds (up to 22.9 instead of 24.9) for South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and Black Caribbean adults. Your GP can provide ethnicity and age-specific 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.