Skip to content

HbA1c Converter: mmol/mol, % and Average Glucose

Type any one of the three. Get the other two, and the band it falls in.

Quick reference table

HbA1cAverage glucose (mg/dL)Average glucose (mmol/L)Category
5%975.4Normal range
5.7%1176.5Prediabetes range
6%1257Prediabetes range
6.5%1407.8Diabetes range
7%1548.6Diabetes range
8%18310.2Diabetes range
9%21211.7Diabetes range
10%24013.3Diabetes range

Conversion uses the ADAG study formula adopted by the American Diabetes Association.

Hemoglobin A1c is reported two ways. The United States uses a percentage; the UK, Ireland, most of Europe, Australia and India use mmol/mol. They are the same measurement in different units: 42 mmol/mol is 6.0%, 48 mmol/mol is 6.5%, and 53 mmol/mol is 7.0%. Both convert to an average blood sugar over the last two to three months.

The common conversions

HbA1c in percent (US) and mmol/mol (UK and much of the world), with the average blood sugar each one reflects.

HbA1c %mmol/molAvg glucoseMeaning
5.03197 mg/dL · 5.4 mmol/LNormal
5.537111 mg/dL · 6.2 mmol/LNormal
5.739117 mg/dL · 6.5 mmol/LPrediabetes begins
6.042126 mg/dL · 7.0 mmol/LPrediabetes
6.446137 mg/dL · 7.6 mmol/LTop of prediabetes
6.548140 mg/dL · 7.8 mmol/LDiabetes threshold
7.053154 mg/dL · 8.6 mmol/LCommon treatment target
8.064183 mg/dL · 10.2 mmol/LAbove target
9.075212 mg/dL · 11.8 mmol/LWell above target
10.086240 mg/dL · 13.4 mmol/LNeeds prompt attention
Look up any value, 4.5 to 12.0 percent
HbA1c %mmol/molAvg glucose mg/dLAvg glucose mmol/LRange
4.526824.6Normal
4.627854.7Normal
4.728884.9Normal
4.829915.1Normal
4.930945.2Normal
5.031975.4Normal
5.1321005.6Normal
5.2331035.7Normal
5.3341055.8Normal
5.4361086.0Normal
5.5371116.2Normal
5.6381146.3Normal
5.7391176.5Prediabetes
5.8401206.7Prediabetes
5.9411236.8Prediabetes
6.0421256.9Prediabetes
6.1431287.1Prediabetes
6.2441317.3Prediabetes
6.3451347.4Prediabetes
6.4461377.6Prediabetes
6.5481407.8Diabetes range
6.6491437.9Diabetes range
6.7501468.1Diabetes range
6.8511488.2Diabetes range
6.9521518.4Diabetes range
7.0531548.6Diabetes range
7.1541578.7Diabetes range
7.2551608.9Diabetes range
7.3561639.1Diabetes range
7.4571669.2Diabetes range
7.5581699.4Diabetes range
7.6601719.5Diabetes range
7.7611749.7Diabetes range
7.8621779.8Diabetes range
7.96318010.0Diabetes range
8.06418310.2Diabetes range
8.16518610.3Diabetes range
8.26618910.5Diabetes range
8.36719210.7Diabetes range
8.46819410.8Diabetes range
8.56919710.9Diabetes range
8.67020011.1Diabetes range
8.77220311.3Diabetes range
8.87320611.4Diabetes range
8.97420911.6Diabetes range
9.07521211.8Diabetes range
9.17621411.9Diabetes range
9.27721712.1Diabetes range
9.37822012.2Diabetes range
9.47922312.4Diabetes range
9.58022612.6Diabetes range
9.68122912.7Diabetes range
9.78323212.9Diabetes range
9.88423513.1Diabetes range
9.98523713.2Diabetes range
10.08624013.3Diabetes range
10.18724313.5Diabetes range
10.28824613.7Diabetes range
10.38924913.8Diabetes range
10.49025214.0Diabetes range
10.59125514.2Diabetes range
10.69225814.3Diabetes range
10.79326014.4Diabetes range
10.89526314.6Diabetes range
10.99626614.8Diabetes range
11.09726914.9Diabetes range
11.19827215.1Diabetes range
11.29927515.3Diabetes range
11.310027815.4Diabetes range
11.410128015.6Diabetes range
11.510228315.7Diabetes range
11.610328615.9Diabetes range
11.710428916.1Diabetes range
11.810529216.2Diabetes range
11.910729516.4Diabetes range
12.010829816.6Diabetes range

mmol/mol from the IFCC formula, average glucose from the ADAG study. Ranges use the American Diabetes Association thresholds: under 5.7 normal, 5.7 to 6.4 prediabetes, 6.5 and above diabetes.

Targets are personal: a fit 45 year old and a frail 85 year old are given different goals.

If you are buying a meter

Any major-brand glucose meter is accurate enough for home tracking. The real cost is the strips, so compare strip prices before choosing the meter.

Buying through this link supports the free library with a small commission. It never changes a pick.

Keep going, free

Common questions

What does HbA1c actually measure?
HbA1c measures how much sugar has attached to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells, which is called glycated hemoglobin. Because red blood cells live about three months, the result reflects your average blood sugar over roughly the past three months. That makes it a bigger picture number than any single finger-prick reading.
What A1c level means prediabetes or diabetes?
An A1c from 5.7 to 6.4 percent falls in the prediabetes range, and 6.5 percent or higher on two tests is used to diagnose diabetes. Below 5.7 percent is considered normal. One result in the higher ranges does not settle it on its own, so confirm what your number means with your own doctor.
Why is my A1c different from my meter readings?
Your meter shows your blood sugar at one moment, while A1c averages every hour of the past three months, including nights and the hours after meals you never test. Conditions that affect red blood cells, such as anemia or kidney disease, can also push A1c up or down. If the two seem far apart, ask your doctor to help sort out which is telling the truer story.
How often should I have my A1c tested?
People with stable, well-controlled diabetes are usually tested twice a year. If your treatment has changed or your sugars are above target, every three months is common. People with prediabetes are often checked once a year, but your own doctor will set the right schedule for you.