Blood Sugar Converter
Convert blood sugar levels between mg/dL and mmol/L. View normal, prediabetic, and diabetic ranges with color-coded classifications.
Medical Unit Converter Calculator
Convert common lab values between conventional (US) and SI (international) units. Covers glucose, cholesterol, hemoglobin, creatinine, and 20+ lab tests.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This converter provides mathematical unit conversions. Reference ranges are approximate and may vary by laboratory. Always interpret results in consultation with your healthcare provider using your lab's specific reference ranges.
mg/dL
Glucose (fasting)
100.00 mg/dL
=
5.60 mmol/L
Input⧉
100.00 mg/dL
Normal: 70–100 mg/dL
Converted⧉
5.60 mmol/L
Normal: 3.9–5.6 mmol/L
Common Lab Test Conversions
| Test | Conv. Unit | SI Unit | Factor | Conv. Range | SI Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose (fasting) | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.05551 | 70–100 | 3.9–5.6 |
| Total Cholesterol | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.02586 | <200 | <5.2 |
| LDL Cholesterol | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.02586 | <100 | <2.6 |
| HDL Cholesterol | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.02586 | >40 (M), >50 (F) | >1.0 (M), >1.3 (F) |
| Triglycerides | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.01129 | <150 | <1.7 |
| Creatinine | mg/dL | µmol/L | 88.4 | 0.7–1.3 | 62–115 |
| BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.357 | 7–20 | 2.5–7.1 |
| Urea | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.1665 | 15–43 | 2.5–7.1 |
| Hemoglobin | g/dL | g/L | 10 | 12–17 | 120–170 |
| Hematocrit | % | L/L | 0.01 | 36–48 | 0.36–0.48 |
| Calcium (total) | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.25 | 8.5–10.5 | 2.1–2.6 |
| Magnesium | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.4114 | 1.7–2.2 | 0.7–0.9 |
| Phosphorus | mg/dL | mmol/L | 0.3229 | 2.5–4.5 | 0.8–1.5 |
| Sodium | mEq/L | mmol/L | 1 | 136–145 | 136–145 |
| Potassium | mEq/L | mmol/L | 1 | 3.5–5.0 | 3.5–5.0 |
| Chloride | mEq/L | mmol/L | 1 | 98–106 | 98–106 |
| Bicarbonate (CO₂) | mEq/L | mmol/L | 1 | 22–28 | 22–28 |
| Uric Acid | mg/dL | µmol/L | 59.48 | 3.5–7.2 | 208–428 |
| Albumin | g/dL | g/L | 10 | 3.5–5.0 | 35–50 |
| Bilirubin (total) | mg/dL | µmol/L | 17.1 | 0.1–1.2 | 2–21 |
| Iron | µg/dL | µmol/L | 0.1791 | 60–170 | 11–30 |
| TSH | µIU/mL | mIU/L | 1 | 0.4–4.0 | 0.4–4.0 |
| HbA1c (NGSP→IFCC) | % | mmol/mol | special | <5.7 | <39 |
Planning notes, formulas, and examples
About the Medical Unit Converter Calculator
The Medical Unit Converter translates laboratory values between conventional (US) units and SI (Système International) units used in most other countries. If you've had blood work done abroad, received results from an international laboratory, or are reading medical literature, you'll encounter different unit systems for the same test. A glucose of 100 mg/dL (US) equals 5.6 mmol/L (SI) — the same reading, expressed differently.
This converter covers 20+ commonly ordered lab tests including glucose, cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), hemoglobin, creatinine, urea/BUN, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium), liver enzymes, thyroid function tests, and more. Each conversion uses the standard molecular weight and conversion factor recognized by clinical laboratories worldwide.
The tool also displays typical reference ranges in both unit systems so you can compare reports more easily. It is best used as a translation aid between reporting systems, not as a substitute for clinical interpretation.
When This Page Helps
Different countries use different unit systems for laboratory results. The US primarily uses conventional units (mg/dL, g/dL), while most of the world uses SI units (mmol/L, g/L). Medical literature, international guidelines, and health apps may report values in either system. This converter eliminates confusion and reduces the risk of misinterpreting lab results when comparing across systems.
How to Use the Inputs
- Select the lab test from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the value you want to convert.
- Choose the direction: conventional to SI, or SI to conventional.
- View the converted value immediately.
- Use the reference ranges as general context and compare them with the range printed on the actual lab report.
- Repeat for additional lab values as needed.
Formula used
SI Value = Conventional Value × Conversion Factor
Conventional Value = SI Value / Conversion Factor
Common Conversion Factors:
• Glucose: 1 mg/dL = 0.0555 mmol/L (factor: 0.0555)
• Total Cholesterol: 1 mg/dL = 0.0259 mmol/L
• Triglycerides: 1 mg/dL = 0.0113 mmol/L
• Creatinine: 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L
• BUN: 1 mg/dL = 0.357 mmol/L
• Hemoglobin: 1 g/dL = 10 g/L
• Calcium: 1 mg/dL = 0.25 mmol/L
• Sodium/Potassium: mEq/L = mmol/L (1:1)Example Calculation
Result: 7.0 mmol/L
Glucose at 126 mg/dL is converted by multiplying by the factor 0.05551: 126 × 0.05551 = 6.99 ≈ 7.0 mmol/L. This value is above the fasting glucose threshold of 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) used to diagnose diabetes. The result and interpretation are identical regardless of which unit system is used.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always confirm which unit system your lab report uses before interpreting results. The difference between 5.6 mg/dL and 5.6 mmol/L is enormous for glucose.
- Electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) are reported in mEq/L in the US and mmol/L internationally — for monovalent ions, these values are identical.
- Reference ranges vary slightly between laboratories due to different assay methods. Always compare your result against the specific lab's own reference range first.
- For lipid panels, remember that cholesterol and triglycerides use DIFFERENT conversion factors despite both being measured in mg/dL.
- When reading international medical guidelines (especially European), expect SI units. Many US-authored guidelines now include both systems.
History of Laboratory Units
Clinical chemistry initially reported results in mass units because weighing was the primary analytical technique. As molecular biology advanced, the mole-based SI system was proposed for medical use in 1967 by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry. Most countries adopted SI units by the 1980s, but the US, UK (partially), and a few others retained conventional units. The dual-system reality creates an ongoing risk of unit-related errors in international medicine.
Point-of-Care Testing
Home glucose meters in the US display mg/dL, while those sold in Europe display mmol/L. Travelers with diabetes must be aware of this difference. Some meters can switch between units in settings. If using a meter purchased abroad, verify the unit before adjusting insulin doses. An accidental interpretation of 7.0 mmol/L (normal) as 7.0 mg/dL (impossible, would mean near-zero glucose) could be dangerous.
Unit Standardization Efforts
The World Health Organization and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry continue to advocate for universal SI unit adoption. The American Medical Association has encouraged the transition, but surveys show most US physicians prefer conventional units. Electronic health records increasingly support dual-unit display, which may eventually facilitate a gradual transition.
Sources & Methodology
Last updated:
Methodology
This page converts between conventional and SI laboratory units using analyte-specific standard conversion factors, or for tests such as HbA1c, the accepted equation linking the two reporting systems. It keeps the converted value beside a general reference range so international reports and guidelines are easier to compare.
It is a translation aid, not a stand-alone interpretation tool. The clinical meaning of a lab value still depends on the assay, the laboratory's reference interval, and the patient context.
Sources
- Clinical Laboratory SI Unit Conversion References (IFCC / clinical chemistry references) — Basis for standard laboratory conversion factors between conventional and SI units.
- Use of SI Units and Conventional Units in Clinical Practice (clinical laboratory reporting references) — Background context for dual-unit reporting and interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The US adopted mass-based reporting (mg/dL) early in clinical chemistry history. Most other countries later adopted SI units (mmol/L), which report molar concentrations reflecting the number of molecules rather than mass. SI units are considered more scientifically rigorous because they allow direct comparison of molar ratios between different substances. The US has been slow to transition due to the enormous cost of retraining and updating systems.
Reference ranges may vary slightly between labs even within the same country due to differences in equipment, reagents, and testing methodologies. The numeric thresholds for disease diagnosis (e.g., fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or ≥ 7.0 mmol/L for diabetes) are standardized internationally but are expressed in different units. Always use the reference range printed on YOUR lab report.
Conversion factors depend on molecular weight. Cholesterol has a molecular weight of ~386.65 g/mol, giving a factor of 0.02586. Triglycerides are a mixture of molecules with an average molecular weight of ~885 g/mol, giving a factor of 0.01129. Since the molecular weights differ, the conversion factors are different even though both are measured in mg/dL in conventional units.
mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter) measures the charge contributed by ions in solution. For monovalent ions like sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and chloride (Cl⁻), 1 mEq = 1 mmol. For divalent ions like calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺), 1 mmol = 2 mEq because each ion carries two charges. This is why calcium conversion between US and international units requires careful attention.
Yes. The IFCC (international) reports HbA1c in mmol/mol, while the US uses the NGSP percentage. The conversion is: IFCC mmol/mol = (NGSP % − 2.15) × 10.929. For example, an HbA1c of 7.0% = 53 mmol/mol. Both represent the same level of glycemic control.
The conversion factors used are standard clinical chemistry factors recognized by international laboratory organizations. The arithmetic conversion is straightforward, but the meaning of the result still depends on the original assay, the lab's reference range, and the clinical context.
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