The best glp-1 comparison chart weight loss data comes from four sources, and they answer different questions. Best overall: the GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator, because it turns population trial averages into a personalized week-by-week number. Best for maximum FDA-approved loss: the SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide chart (Zepbound/Mounjaro), at 20.9% average loss over 72 weeks. Best for cardiovascular data: the STEP-1/SELECT semaglutide chart (Wegovy/Ozempic). Best for the highest reported number: the retatrutide Phase 2 chart, at 24.2% average loss in 48 weeks — but it's still investigational in 2026.
- Best overall glp-1 comparison chart weight loss tool in 2026 is a personalized calculator, not a static trial chart.
- SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide data shows 20.9% average loss at 72 weeks, the highest FDA-approved figure.
- STEP-1 semaglutide data shows 14.9% average loss at 68 weeks; the SELECT trial adds cardiovascular outcome data.
- Retatrutide's Phase 2 chart shows 24.2% average loss at 48 weeks but remains investigational in 2026.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda) charts show roughly 8% average loss at 56 weeks, the longest safety track record.
Why this matters
Most "GLP-1 comparison chart" results online show a static bar graph pulled from one trial. That's fine for a headline, useless for planning your own timeline, because trial averages hide the spread between the fastest and slowest responders. The GLP-1 weight loss calculator fixes that by mapping your starting weight and chosen drug against the actual dose-response curves published in STEP-1, SURMOUNT-1, and SELECT.
A chart built from one trial tells you what happened to the average participant. A chart built from several trials, cross-checked against your own numbers, tells you what's plausible for you in 2026. That distinction is the entire reason this comparison exists.
What makes the best GLP-1 comparison chart
- Trial size and duration — hundreds of participants tracked for at least 48 weeks, not a 12-week pilot
- FDA approval status — clearly labeled as approved, off-label, or investigational as of 2026
- Outcome scope — weight change alone versus weight change plus cardiovascular or metabolic data
- Dose transparency — shows the titration schedule, not just the endpoint number
- Personalization capacity — can the chart be adjusted to an individual's starting weight and drug, or is it fixed to the trial population
- Citation quality — tied to a named trial and PMID, not a paraphrase of someone else's summary
GLP-1 comparison charts at a glance
| Chart | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator | Personalized week-by-week projection | Adjusts trial averages to your own inputs | Projects an estimate, not a guarantee |
| SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide chart | Maximum FDA-approved average loss | 20.9% mean loss at 72 weeks, highest dose arm | Higher GI side-effect rate at top doses |
| STEP-1/SELECT semaglutide chart | Cardiovascular outcome data | Links weight change to a 20% MACE reduction | Average loss trails tirzepatide and retatrutide |
| Retatrutide Phase 2 chart | Highest reported average loss | 24.2% mean loss at 48 weeks, triple-agonist mechanism | Not FDA-approved as of 2026 |
| SCALE liraglutide chart | Daily-dosing history | Longest post-approval safety record, approved since 2014 | Lowest average loss among the charts compared |
1. GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator: best comparison chart for personalized week-by-week projection
The calculator takes your starting weight, chosen medication, and dose, then projects a week-by-week trajectory against the published curves from STEP-1, SURMOUNT-1, and SELECT. It's free and it doesn't require an account.
GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator pros:
- Personalizes trial averages instead of showing one flat number
- Covers Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and retatrutide in one tool
- Updates its reference data as new trial results publish
GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator cons:
- A projection, not a diagnosis — individual results vary
- Doesn't replace a provider's titration plan or lab monitoring
Best for: anyone who wants their own likely curve instead of a population average. Verdict: use it before your next appointment.
2. SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide chart (Zepbound/Mounjaro): best comparison chart for maximum FDA-approved weight loss
SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022, PMID 35658024) tracked tirzepatide dosing over 72 weeks in adults with obesity, and the highest dose arm reported a mean loss of 20.9%. That's the largest average loss among FDA-approved GLP-1/GIP options tracked into 2026 prescribing guidance.
SURMOUNT-1 chart pros:
- Highest average loss of any FDA-approved option in this comparison
- Clear dose-response data across three tirzepatide dose levels
- Still the reference trial cited in current prescribing conversations
SURMOUNT-1 chart cons:
- Higher-dose arms carry more nausea and GI side effects
- No cardiovascular outcome data attached to this trial
Best for: patients and providers benchmarking the ceiling on approved weight loss. Verdict: use as your benchmark number.
3. STEP-1/SELECT semaglutide chart (Wegovy/Ozempic): best comparison chart for cardiovascular outcome data
STEP-1 (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021, PMID 33567185) tracked semaglutide 2.4mg over 68 weeks and reported a 14.9% mean loss. The SELECT trial (Lincoff et al., NEJM 2023, PMID 37952131) went further, linking semaglutide to a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease. If you're tracking how much weight loss to expect month by month on Ozempic, this is the chart that trajectory is built from.
Semaglutide chart pros:
- Only chart here pairing weight data with a measured cardiovascular benefit
- Longest real-world prescribing history among the newer-generation GLP-1s
- Well-documented titration schedule from 0.25mg up to 2.4mg
Semaglutide chart cons:
- Average loss (14.9%) trails both tirzepatide and retatrutide
- SELECT's population already had cardiovascular disease, so results don't generalize to every patient
Best for: patients weighing cardiovascular risk alongside the weight number. Verdict: use for risk-adjusted decisions.
4. Retatrutide Phase 2 chart: best comparison chart for the highest reported average loss
Retatrutide is a triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist. The Phase 2 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023, PMID 37366315) reported up to 24.2% mean loss at 48 weeks in the highest dose group — the largest number in this comparison, reached faster than any FDA-approved option.
Retatrutide chart pros:
- Highest average loss of any chart in this comparison
- Triple-receptor mechanism explains the larger effect over a shorter window
Retatrutide chart cons:
- Not FDA-approved as of 2026
- Phase 3 data and long-term safety profile are still pending
- Final dosing for market use isn't settled
Best for: readers tracking what's coming next, not a current prescribing decision. Verdict: wait for Phase 3 results and FDA review.
5. SCALE liraglutide chart (Saxenda): best comparison chart for daily-dosing history
The SCALE trial (Pi-Sunyer et al., NEJM 2015, PMID 26132939) tracked daily liraglutide injections over 56 weeks. Average loss came in around 8%, the lowest of the charts compared here, but liraglutide carries the longest post-approval safety record of any GLP-1 on this list.
Liraglutide chart pros:
- Longest safety track record — approved since 2014
- Daily dosing allows finer titration for patients who don't tolerate weekly injections
Liraglutide chart cons:
- Lowest average loss among the charts compared
- Daily injection burden versus the weekly schedules of newer options
Best for: patients who need a daily-dose option or have a documented intolerance to weekly injections. Verdict: hold as a fallback option.
See your own projection number
Enter your weight and drug to get a personalized week-by-week estimate.
How this list was ranked
Each chart was scored against the criteria above: trial size, duration, FDA status as of 2026, outcome scope, and citation quality. The calculator ranks first because it's the only entry that adjusts for an individual rather than reporting a fixed population average. The clinical trial charts rank by what they measure — approved maximum loss, cardiovascular data, investigational ceiling, or safety history — not by which one produced the biggest headline number.
Which GLP-1 comparison chart should you choose?
If you want a number that applies to you, start with the GLP-1 Weight Loss Calculator. If you're comparing what's currently approved, the SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide chart sets the ceiling at 20.9%. If cardiovascular risk factors into your decision, the STEP-1/SELECT semaglutide chart is the only one with that data attached. Retatrutide's chart is worth watching through 2026, not acting on yet, and liraglutide's chart is the fallback for anyone who needs daily dosing over weekly injections. Individual results vary in every case — talk to a healthcare provider before choosing a medication or dose.
FAQ
What is the best GLP-1 comparison chart for weight loss in 2026?
A personalized calculator that maps your starting weight and drug against trial data is the best single chart, because it adjusts the STEP-1, SURMOUNT-1, and SELECT averages to you instead of showing a fixed population number.
Is tirzepatide more effective than semaglutide for weight loss?
On average, yes. SURMOUNT-1 reported 20.9% mean loss at 72 weeks for tirzepatide versus 14.9% at 68 weeks for semaglutide in STEP-1. Individual results still vary by dose and adherence.
How much weight do you lose on Ozempic by month?
Semaglutide's weight loss builds gradually through the titration schedule and continues through roughly 68 weeks based on STEP-1 data. A month-by-month breakdown is easier to see against your own starting weight than against the trial average alone.
Is retatrutide FDA-approved in 2026?
No. Retatrutide remains investigational as of 2026, with Phase 2 data showing up to 24.2% mean loss at 48 weeks. Phase 3 results and FDA review are still pending.
What is the SELECT trial and why does it matter for weight loss charts?
SELECT is a semaglutide cardiovascular outcomes trial that reported a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease. It adds a health outcome beyond the weight number to the semaglutide chart.
How accurate is a GLP-1 weight loss calculator compared to trial averages?
A calculator built on trial data reflects the same dose-response curves published in STEP-1, SURMOUNT-1, and SELECT, adjusted to your inputs. It's a projection, not a guarantee, since individual response varies.
Which GLP-1 drug has the lowest average weight loss?
Liraglutide (Saxenda), tracked in the SCALE trial, reported the lowest average loss among the drugs compared here at roughly 8% over 56 weeks.
Do GLP-1 comparison charts account for individual differences?
Static trial charts show population averages, not individual variation. A calculator that takes your own starting weight and drug choice comes closer to an individual estimate, though results still vary person to person.
One last thing
Retatrutide's Phase 2 chart shows 24.2% average loss at 48 weeks — a bigger number than tirzepatide's 20.9% at 72 weeks, reached in roughly two-thirds the time. That's the number worth watching through 2026 Phase 3 readouts, not the number to act on yet, since it isn't FDA-approved and long-term safety data isn't in.