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 Height and Why It Matters for Your Health
Height is the measurement of how tall you are, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. In the UK, we measure height in feet and inches or centimetres. It's one of the two essential measurements — along with weight — used to calculate your BMI and determine healthy weight ranges according to NHS guidance. Understanding your height is crucial for assessing your personal health status and whether you fall within a healthy weight bracket for your frame.
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.
How Height Affects Your BMI and Healthy Weight Range
Height is fundamental to calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is the standard screening tool used by the NHS to assess whether your weight is healthy for your size. The BMI formula divides your weight by your height squared, meaning taller people can carry more weight while remaining in a healthy BMI range. For example, a weight of 70kg may be healthy for someone 1.75m tall but overweight for someone 1.60m tall. Your height determines your entire healthy weight range — an adult who is 1.73m (5ft 8in) should ideally weigh between approximately 55kg and 75kg to maintain a healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. Even small height differences significantly affect these ranges. Use our free BMI calculator above to determine your personal healthy weight range based on your exact height.
- Taller individuals have higher healthy weight ranges
- Height is permanent and does not change with age (in adults)
- Accurate height measurement is essential for reliable BMI calculations
- NHS guidance uses both height and weight to assess health status
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.
How to Measure Your Height Accurately
Accurate height measurement is important for getting reliable BMI and health assessments. Stand barefoot against a flat wall with your heels touching the wall, shoulders relaxed, and your eyes looking straight ahead. Ask someone to mark the wall at the top of your head and measure from the floor to that mark using a measuring tape. Record your height in both centimetres and feet/inches for UK health calculations. If you're unsure of your exact height, your GP surgery can measure you accurately during a routine appointment. Height can vary slightly throughout the day — you may be up to 1–2cm taller in the morning before gravity compresses your spine. For health assessments, measure yourself in the morning for consistency. Convert your height easily using our free weight converter tool to switch between metric and imperial measurements.
- 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.
How does height affect your BMI?
Height is squared in the BMI calculation, making it a major factor. Two people of the same weight can have very different BMI values if their heights differ. A taller person with the same weight will have a lower BMI than a shorter person. That's why BMI alone is always personalised to individual height.
What's the average height for UK adults?
According to UK health data, the average adult man is approximately 175cm (5ft 9in) tall, and the average adult woman is approximately 162cm (5ft 4in) tall. These are averages — heights vary widely across the population. Individual height doesn't determine health; your BMI and weight management are what matter for health outcomes.
Does height change as you get older?
In adults, height is generally stable. However, people may lose a small amount of height as they age due to spinal compression and age-related changes. This loss is usually minimal (less than 1–2cm over many decades) unless you have osteoporosis or other bone health conditions. Consult your GP if you notice significant height loss.
Can I measure my height at home accurately?
Yes. Stand barefoot against a wall with heels, shoulders, and head touching the wall. Have someone mark the wall at the top of your head, then measure from the floor to the mark. Measure in the morning for consistency, as height varies throughout the day. For medical purposes, your GP surgery can provide a professional measurement.
Why is height important for weight management?
Height determines your healthy weight range — it's essential for calculating BMI, assessing whether you're at a healthy weight, and personalising weight loss goals. Taller individuals can safely weigh more than shorter individuals while remaining healthy. Your GP can explain what healthy weight means for your specific height and health profile.
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.