Glucose Unit Converter
Convert between different units of blood glucose measurement (mg/dL and mmol/L). This tool helps diabetics and healthcare professionals easily convert glucose values between the two most common measurement systems.
Conversion Result: 0 mmol/L
| Original Value | 0 |
|---|---|
| Converted Value | 0 |
| Conversion Formula | - |
About Glucose Unit Conversion
Blood glucose levels can be measured in two different units: milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and millimoles per liter (mmol/L). The United States typically uses mg/dL, while most other countries use mmol/L. Understanding how to convert between these units is important for diabetics, healthcare professionals, and anyone interpreting international medical literature.
Conversion Formulas
The conversion between mg/dL and mmol/L is based on the molecular weight of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), which is approximately 180.16 g/mol. The conversion formulas are:
| Conversion | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mg/dL to mmol/L | mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 18.0182 | 100 mg/dL = 5.55 mmol/L |
| mmol/L to mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.0182 | 5.5 mmol/L = 99.1 mg/dL |
Blood Glucose Level Ranges
Understanding blood glucose level ranges is important for diabetes management. Here are typical ranges for adults:
| Condition | mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Normal (fasting) | 70-99 | 3.9-5.5 |
| Prediabetes (fasting) | 100-125 | 5.6-6.9 |
| Diabetes (fasting) | 126+ | 7.0+ |
| Normal (2 hours after eating) | Below 140 | Below 7.8 |
| Diabetes (2 hours after eating) | 200+ | 11.1+ |
Why Unit Conversion Matters
Different countries use different measurement systems for blood glucose levels. The United States, Japan, and a few other countries use mg/dL, while most other countries (including Canada, the UK, Australia, and most of Europe) use mmol/L. When traveling internationally or reading medical research from other countries, being able to convert between these units is essential for proper diabetes management.
Accuracy of Conversion
The conversion factor of 18.0182 is derived from the molecular weight of glucose. While this provides a precise conversion, in practice, most people round to 18 for easier mental calculations (100 mg/dL ≈ 5.56 mmol/L). However, for medical purposes, using the precise conversion is recommended.