There are two units of measurement for blood glucose level. In the U.S., blood glucose level is noted in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl, which is a unit used in medicine to measure the concentration of substances in the blood. Other areas of the world, specifically Europe, use the Systeme International unit of millimoles per liter, or mmol/L, to express blood concentrations. To convert from one unit to another requires only a simple mathematical conversion.
Step 1
Get your blood glucose tested by your health-care professional, or use a home monitoring device.
Step 2
Multiply your blood glucose value in mmol/L by 18, since 1 mmol/L equals 18 mg/dl. For example, if your value is 5 mmol/L, multiply 5 by 18 to give you a blood glucose value of 90 mg/dl.
Step 3
Round the mg/dl value to the nearest whole number, if needed. For example, if your value is 35.5 mg/dl, simply state the value as 35 mg/dl.
Step 4
If you want to check your work or do the reverse conversion, divide your mg/dl result by 18 to give mmol/l.
Tips and Warnings
- Once you have converted your blood glucose value, compare it to charts listing glucose ranges. According to the American Diabetes Association, a normal non-diabetic person should have a glucose level of around 80 to 125 mg/dl, which equates to 4.5 to 7.0 mmol/L. Food and exercise affects your blood sugar, so values will be different depending on the time of day and your recent activity. Before meals, the ideal adult level for diabetics is 70 to 130 mg/dL, or 5 to 7.2 mmol/L, and after meals, the level is less than 180 mg/dL, or 10 mmol/L.
- Consult your doctor or health-care professional if you feel the need for further assessments or to review the meaning of your result.
Things You'll Need
- Calculator
