Editorial Policy

Our standards

• Accurate: every health figure, threshold and formula is checked against a primary source before publishing.
• UK-first: we prioritise NHS, NICE, RCPCH, NHS England statistics and other UK sources, then international bodies such as the WHO and EFSA, then peer-reviewed research.
• Clear: we write in plain English, aiming for a reading age of around 11 to 13, and explain medical terms.
• Balanced: we explain the limits of each measure (for example, that BMI cannot tell fat from muscle).
• Safe: we never tell readers to stop or change treatment, and we flag when to seek urgent help.

How a page is made

1. Research: we identify the relevant guidance and data – for example NICE NG246 for adult BMI, NICE NG136 for blood pressure, or UK-WHO references for child growth.
2. Writing: a member of the editorial team drafts the page and the calculator logic.
3. Checking: a second team member checks every number, formula, unit conversion and link against the sources, and tests the calculator with known examples.
4. Publishing: sources are listed at the bottom of every page, with a “last reviewed” date.
5. Review: pages are reviewed at least every 6 months, and sooner when guidance changes.

Calculators

Calculators use published formulas and reference data only. We test each tool against worked examples from the original sources (for instance, the published QRISK3 code, and UK-WHO centile values). Each tool page explains the method in a “How this tool works” section.

Corrections

If you think something on our site is wrong or out of date, email info@bmicalculatornhs.net with the page address and what needs checking. We aim to reply within 2 working days and to correct confirmed errors promptly, updating the “last reviewed” date.

Advertising and independence

We are funded by advertising. Ads are clearly separate from our content, and advertisers cannot influence what we write. We are not affiliated with the NHS or any healthcare provider.

Use of AI and automation

We may use software tools, including AI-assisted drafting, to help organise information and build calculators. All published content is checked by a person against primary sources before it goes live.