Blood Sugar Converter

Understanding Blood Glucose Units

Blood glucose levels are measured in two different units around the world. In the United States, the standard is milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). In many other countries, including the UK and Canada, the standard is millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This converter provides a quick and accurate way to switch between the two, which is essential for individuals with diabetes, healthcare providers, and researchers.

The Conversion Formula Explained

The conversion is based on the molecular weight of glucose.

• To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L, you divide by 18.018.
• To convert from mmol/L to mg/dL, you multiply by 18.018.

How to Use the Calculator

This is a real-time converter. Simply type a value into either the mg/dL field or the mmol/L field, and the other field will update automatically with the converted value.

Real-World Example

• A person in the US measures their blood sugar and gets a reading of 120 mg/dL.
  • The calculator will show the equivalent value of 6.7 mmol/L.
• A person in Canada gets a reading of 5.5 mmol/L.
  • The calculator will show the equivalent value of 99 mg/dL.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What are normal blood sugar levels? For a person without diabetes, a normal fasting blood sugar level is typically below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Levels after eating may rise but should generally be below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after a meal.
• Why are there two different units? It's simply a difference in measurement conventions between countries, similar to using Fahrenheit versus Celsius for temperature. Both measure the same thing—the concentration of glucose in the blood.
• Is one unit better than the other? No, neither is inherently better. They are just different scales. It is important to know which unit your healthcare provider and glucose meter use.