A1C Chart: Levels, Ranges & Conversion Table
Complete A1C reference table showing A1C percentages from 4% to 14% with estimated average glucose in mg/dL, mmol/L, IFCC values, and diagnostic categories.
| A1C (%) | eAG (mg/dL) | eAG (mmol/L) | IFCC (mmol/mol) | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0% | 68.1 | 3.8 | 20.2 | Normal |
| 4.5% | 82.5 | 4.6 | 25.7 | Normal |
| 5.0% | 96.8 | 5.4 | 31.1 | Normal |
| 5.5% | 111.2 | 6.2 | 36.6 | Normal |
| 6.0% | 125.5 | 7.0 | 42.1 | Prediabetes |
| 6.5% | 139.8 | 7.8 | 47.5 | Diabetes |
| 7.0% | 154.2 | 8.6 | 53.0 | Diabetes |
| 7.5% | 168.6 | 9.4 | 58.5 | Diabetes |
| 8.0% | 182.9 | 10.2 | 63.9 | Diabetes |
| 8.5% | 197.3 | 11.0 | 69.4 | Diabetes |
| 9.0% | 211.6 | 11.8 | 74.9 | Diabetes |
| 9.5% | 226.0 | 12.6 | 80.3 | Diabetes |
| 10.0% | 240.3 | 13.3 | 85.8 | Diabetes |
| 10.5% | 254.7 | 14.1 | 91.3 | Diabetes |
| 11.0% | 269.0 | 14.9 | 96.7 | Diabetes |
| 11.5% | 283.4 | 15.7 | 102.2 | Diabetes |
| 12.0% | 297.7 | 16.5 | 107.7 | Diabetes |
| 12.5% | 312.1 | 17.3 | 113.1 | Diabetes |
| 13.0% | 326.4 | 18.1 | 118.6 | Diabetes |
| 13.5% | 340.8 | 18.9 | 124.0 | Diabetes |
| 14.0% | 355.1 | 19.7 | 129.5 | Diabetes |
A1C Ranges at a Glance
Target A1C Levels
Different organizations recommend slightly different A1C targets for people with diabetes:
| Organization | Target A1C | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADA | < 7% | For most non-pregnant adults with diabetes |
| AACE | ≤ 6.5% | If achievable without significant hypoglycemia |
| ADA (elderly) | < 8% | For older adults with comorbidities |
| ISPAD (children) | < 7.5% | For children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes |
A1C Targets by Age Group
A1C targets may vary based on age and individual circumstances. Your healthcare provider can help determine the best target for you.
Children & Adolescents (< 18)
Target: < 7.5% (ISPAD). Avoid severe hypoglycemia while maintaining good control.
Adults (18–64)
Target: < 7% (ADA) or ≤ 6.5% (AACE). Individualize based on hypoglycemia risk.
Older Adults (65+)
Target: < 7.5–8% depending on health status. Less stringent targets for those with comorbidities.
Pregnant Women
Target: < 6% before conception, 6–6.5% during pregnancy. Tight control is essential.
How to Read the A1C Chart
The table above has five columns that each provide a different way to express your A1C result. The first column shows the A1C percentage, which is the value most commonly reported by labs in the United States. The second column displays the estimated average glucose (eAG) in mg/dL, which translates that percentage into a number that resembles your daily glucose readings. The third column converts eAG to mmol/L, the unit used in many countries outside the U.S. The fourth column shows the IFCC value in mmol/mol, which is the international standard used in Europe, Australia, and other regions. The fifth column indicates the diagnostic category: normal, prediabetes, or diabetes.
To use the chart, find your A1C percentage in the left column and read across the row to see all equivalent values. Green-shaded rows indicate normal levels, yellow rows indicate prediabetes, and red rows indicate diabetes. All values in this chart are calculated using the ADAG formula, which is the same formula recommended by the American Diabetes Association. You can use this chart to better understand your lab results, compare values across different measurement systems, or track how your A1C changes over time.
A1C vs Time in Range
While the A1C test gives you a valuable overview of average blood sugar over two to three months, it does not reveal how much your glucose levels fluctuate from day to day. Two people can have the exact same A1C of 7% but experience very different glucose patterns. One person might have stable readings near 154 mg/dL most of the time, while another could swing between 50 mg/dL and 300 mg/dL and still average out to the same number.
Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology has introduced a newer metric called Time in Range (TIR), which measures the percentage of time your glucose stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL. The ADA recommends that most adults aim for a TIR of greater than 70%, which roughly corresponds to an A1C of about 7%. A TIR below 70% suggests too much time spent above or below target, even if the A1C looks acceptable. Used together, A1C and TIR give a more complete picture of glucose control. However, A1C remains the gold standard for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes because it is widely available, inexpensive, and does not require wearing a device.
Printing and Using This Chart
This A1C chart can be bookmarked in your browser for quick reference whenever you receive new lab results. Healthcare professionals are welcome to use it as a patient education resource during consultations or diabetes education sessions. All values in the table are calculated using the clinically validated ADAG formula published in Diabetes Care, so the numbers match what major diabetes organizations report.
For a more personalized interpretation of your results, try our interactive A1C Calculator, which lets you enter your specific A1C or glucose value and instantly see the conversion along with a risk assessment. Keep in mind that your doctor may set a different target than the general guidelines shown here, based on your age, health history, and individual risk factors. Regular A1C monitoring every three to six months is one of the most important steps you can take to track your progress and catch changes early before complications develop.
Related Calculators & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good A1C level?
A good A1C level depends on your situation. For people without diabetes, below 5.7% is normal. For most adults with diabetes, the ADA recommends a target of below 7%. The AACE recommends below 6.5%. Your doctor may set a different target based on your age, health, and other factors.
What A1C level requires medication?
Generally, an A1C of 6.5% or higher (diagnostic for diabetes) may require medication, depending on the type of diabetes and other factors. Many doctors begin metformin at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. For prediabetes (5.7-6.4%), lifestyle changes are typically recommended first.
How quickly can A1C change?
A1C reflects average blood sugar over 2-3 months, so significant changes typically take at least 2-3 months. However, more recent blood sugar levels have a greater impact on A1C, so improvements in the last 30 days have a proportionally larger effect.
Can A1C be inaccurate?
Yes, several conditions can affect A1C accuracy including iron deficiency anemia, hemoglobin variants (sickle cell trait, thalassemia), chronic kidney disease, recent blood loss or transfusion, pregnancy, and certain medications. If you have any of these conditions, discuss alternative monitoring with your doctor.