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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Women's BMI Chart โ Understanding Your Healthy Weight Range
A women's BMI chart shows you where your weight falls across NHS health categories โ from underweight through to severe obesity. This guide explains what your BMI means, how to find your position on the chart, and why context matters beyond the numbers alone. Use our free BMI calculator above to check your personal BMI instantly and see where you sit on the standard NHS scale.
10,000+ calculations today ยท NHS-aligned thresholds ยท 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/mยฒ).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure โ it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution โ 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 โ 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 BMI Categories and Ranges for Women
According to NHS guidelines, women (and men) fall into five main BMI categories. A healthy BMI range is 18.5 to 24.9 โ this is where health risk is lowest. A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 falls into the overweight category, while 30.0 to 34.9 is obese (Class I). Higher ranges โ 35.0 to 39.9 and 40.0 and above โ represent more severe obesity classifications. These thresholds apply to most women, though the BMI formula is the same for all adults: weight in kg divided by height in metres squared.
- Healthy weight: BMI 18.5โ24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25.0โ29.9
- Obese (Class I): BMI 30.0โ34.9
- Obese (Class II): BMI 35.0โ39.9
- Severely obese: BMI 40.0+
If you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends lower thresholds โ healthy weight starts at BMI 18.5โ22.9, and overweight begins at 23.0. This is because these groups face higher cardiovascular and diabetes risk at lower BMI levels.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care โ 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 โ 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 โ completely free.
Why BMI Alone Isn't the Complete Picture
While the BMI chart is a useful screening tool, it has important limitations. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat โ an athletic woman with high muscle mass may have a higher BMI but very low body fat. It also doesn't account for where fat is stored; waist circumference is equally important. The NHS recommends measuring your waist: over 80cm (31.5 inches) indicates increased health risk, over 88cm (34.5 inches) indicates high risk.
Your GP can provide personalised advice about what your BMI and other measurements mean for your individual health. Factors like age, family history, fitness level, and existing health conditions all matter. Use our free weight converter to check your weight in different units, and consider discussing your results with your healthcare provider for context tailored to you.
- 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 โ 5mg โ 7.5mg โ 10mg โ 12.5mg โ 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15โ17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg โ 0.5mg โ 1mg โ 1.7mg โ 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 | 15โ22.5% | 12โ17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20โ32 weeks | 16โ20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | ยฃ150โยฃ250/month | ยฃ150โยฃ300/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 โ 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 a healthy BMI for women?
A healthy BMI for most women is 18.5 to 24.9. If you're of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage, the NHS recommends a slightly lower healthy range: 18.5 to 22.9. These thresholds reflect research showing different health risk profiles across ethnic groups at the same BMI.
How do I calculate my BMI from a chart?
Find your height in centimetres on the left side of a BMI chart, then move across to your weight in kilograms. Where they meet shows your BMI number and category. Alternatively, use our free BMI calculator above โ enter your height and weight, and it instantly shows your BMI and NHS category, which is faster and more accurate than reading a chart.
What does a BMI of 25 mean?
A BMI of 25 puts you in the overweight category according to NHS guidelines. This doesn't mean you're unhealthy โ it's a screening threshold. Your GP can assess your individual risk by looking at waist circumference, fitness, medical history, and family factors. Many people live healthily at this BMI; individual circumstances vary.
Is the BMI chart different for women and men?
No โ the BMI formula and category thresholds are the same for women and men. However, women typically have higher natural body fat percentages than men, so the visual appearance at the same BMI may differ. Individual factors like age, muscle mass, and ethnicity matter more than gender when assessing health risk.
What should I do if my BMI is above the healthy range?
A first step is to discuss your results with your GP, who can assess your overall health and suggest next steps if needed. The NHS recommends gradual weight loss of 0.5โ1 kg per week through a balanced diet and increased physical activity. Your GP may refer you to weight management services or discuss other support options depending on your health profile and circumstances.
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.