mg/dL to mmol/L Blood Sugar Converter
Convert blood glucose readings between mg/dL and mmol/L instantly. Enter either value for automatic conversion.
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Related Calculators & Resources
Blood Sugar Conversion Formula
The conversion factor between mg/dL and mmol/L for glucose is 18.0182 (the molecular weight of glucose divided by 10):
mg/dL vs mmol/L: Which Unit Is Used Where?
mg/dL (Conventional Units)
Milligrams per deciliter. Used in:
- United States
- Japan
- France
- Egypt
- Colombia
mmol/L (SI Units)
Millimoles per liter. Used in:
- United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
- Most of Europe
- China, India
- Most of Asia, Africa, South America
mg/dL to mmol/L Conversion Table
Reference table for common blood sugar values from 50 to 400 mg/dL with their mmol/L equivalents.
| mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|
| 50 | 2.8 |
| 60 | 3.3 |
| 70 | 3.9 |
| 80 | 4.4 |
| 90 | 5.0 |
| 100 | 5.5 |
| 110 | 6.1 |
| 120 | 6.7 |
| 130 | 7.2 |
| 140 | 7.8 |
| 150 | 8.3 |
| 160 | 8.9 |
| 170 | 9.4 |
| 180 | 10.0 |
| 190 | 10.5 |
| 200 | 11.1 |
| 210 | 11.7 |
| 220 | 12.2 |
| 230 | 12.8 |
| 240 | 13.3 |
| 250 | 13.9 |
| 260 | 14.4 |
| 270 | 15.0 |
| 280 | 15.5 |
| 290 | 16.1 |
| 300 | 16.6 |
| 310 | 17.2 |
| 320 | 17.8 |
| 330 | 18.3 |
| 340 | 18.9 |
| 350 | 19.4 |
| 360 | 20.0 |
| 370 | 20.5 |
| 380 | 21.1 |
| 390 | 21.6 |
| 400 | 22.2 |
Why Blood Sugar Unit Conversion Matters
If you travel internationally, purchase a glucose meter from another country, or read medical research published outside the US, you will likely encounter blood sugar readings in mmol/L when you are accustomed to mg/dL, or vice versa. Misinterpreting units can lead to unnecessary worry or, worse, missed warning signs.
For example, a reading of 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) is at the fasting diabetes diagnostic threshold. But if you mistakenly read it as 7.0 mg/dL, you might think your blood sugar is impossibly low. Similarly, a blood sugar of 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is the cutoff for impaired glucose tolerance — knowing the equivalent in both units helps you make informed decisions.
This mg/dL to mmol/L converter is especially useful for patients using imported CGM devices, healthcare professionals reviewing international lab reports, and researchers comparing data from different studies.
Remember that the conversion factor of 18.0182 applies specifically to glucose. Other blood tests (such as cholesterol) use different conversion factors, so always verify you are using the correct formula for the substance being measured.
To put these conversions in clinical context, here are key reference ranges in both units. A normal fasting blood sugar is 70-100 mg/dL, which equals 3.9-5.6 mmol/L. The hypoglycemia threshold is generally defined as below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), at which point you may experience symptoms like shakiness, sweating, and confusion. For post-meal blood sugar, most guidelines recommend staying below 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) one to two hours after eating. Memorizing these key thresholds in both units helps you quickly interpret any glucose reading regardless of which unit system is displayed on your meter or lab report.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert mg/dL to mmol/L?
Divide the mg/dL value by 18.0182. For example, 180 mg/dL ÷ 18.0182 = 10.0 mmol/L. This conversion factor applies specifically to glucose.
Why are there two units for blood sugar?
The US uses conventional units (mg/dL — milligrams per deciliter) while most other countries use SI units (mmol/L — millimoles per liter). Both measure the concentration of glucose in blood but use different scales.
Which countries use mg/dL vs mmol/L?
The United States, Japan, France, Egypt, and some other countries use mg/dL. The UK, Canada, Australia, most of Europe, China, India, and the majority of countries worldwide use mmol/L.