Glucose mmol/L → mg/dL
Convert blood or plasma glucose from mmol/L to mg/dL
Sources last checked: 2026-10-13
Glucose mmol/L → mg/dL
Convert blood or plasma glucose from mmol/L to mg/dL
Converts units only. Capillary, venous plasma and whole-blood glucose differ; diagnostic thresholds refer to venous plasma.
What is the Glucose mmol/L → mg/dL?
Glucose is reported in mmol/L in most European countries and in mg/dL in Germany (in many settings), Austria, Turkey and the USA. The AMA Manual of Style SI table gives 0.0555 mmol/L per mg/dL, from glucose’s molar mass of 180.16 g/mol, so dividing by 0.0555 multiplies by about 18.
When to use it
- Interpreting glucose meters or CGM devices set to a different unit
- Reading literature or guidelines written in mg/dL
- Patients travelling between countries
When not to use it
- HbA1c — it has its own units (% or mmol/mol)
- Comparing capillary with venous plasma values without accounting for sample type
How it is calculated
Glucose (mg/dL) = glucose (mmol/L) ÷ 0.0555 (≈ × 18.0)
Clinical pearls and limitations
- Converts units only. Capillary, venous plasma and whole-blood glucose differ; diagnostic thresholds refer to venous plasma.
- Quick check: mmol/L × 18 ≈ mg/dL (5.5 → 99; 10 → 180).
- Plasma glucose runs about 11 % higher than whole-blood glucose; most modern meters are plasma-calibrated.
- Hypoglycaemia level 1 at 3.9 mmol/L corresponds to 70 mg/dL.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert blood sugar from mmol/L to mg/dL?
Divide by 0.0555, i.e. multiply by about 18. Example: 7.0 mmol/L = 126 mg/dL.
What is 5.5 mmol/L in mg/dL?
About 99 mg/dL.
Why 18 and not 18.016?
Both are fine. 18.016 follows from the molar mass; 1/0.0555 = 18.02; the difference is far below measurement error.
Evidence and guidelines
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<p><a href="https://medelix.ai/en/calculators/glucose-mmol-l-to-mg-dl">Glucose mmol/L → mg/dL calculator by Medelix</a></p>For healthcare professionals and medical students. These tools support, and do not replace, clinical judgement. Always check results against the original source and your local protocols.