mmol/L to mg/dL Calculator — Blood Glucose & Lab Unit Converter
Convert laboratory blood test results between mmol/L (SI units, used in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia) and mg/dL (conventional units, used in the USA). Supports glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and uric acid.
Substance
mmol/L
Conventional US units — used in blood glucose meters and US lab reports
- 1
Conversion factor (MW ÷ 10)
180.156 ÷ 10 = 18.0156Molecular weight of the substance divided by 10 gives mg/dL per mmol/L. - 2
Convert to mg/dL
5.5 × 18.0156 = 99.1
How does this calculator work?
mg/dL = mmol/L × (molecular weight ÷ 10). For blood glucose: mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.016 (e.g. 5.5 mmol/L ≈ 99 mg/dL, 7.0 mmol/L ≈ 126 mg/dL). For cholesterol: mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.665. For triglycerides: × 88.54. The conversion factor differs by substance because it is based on molecular weight.
Formula
How this is calculated
Laboratory blood tests report the same analyte in different units depending on the country. The SI (metric) system uses millimoles per litre (mmol/L), which counts the number of molecules. The US conventional system uses milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL), which uses mass. To convert between them you need the molecular weight of the substance: mg/dL = mmol/L × (MW in g/mol) ÷ 10. The division by 10 arises because 1 litre = 10 decilitres and 1 g = 1000 mg, so the net conversion factor is MW × 1000 / 10000 = MW / 10.
For blood glucose, the molecular weight of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is 180.156 g/mol, giving a conversion factor of 18.016 — so 5.5 mmol/L = 5.5 × 18.016 ≈ 99 mg/dL. For cholesterol (C₂₇H₄₆O, MW = 386.65 g/mol), the factor is 38.665. Triglycerides vary slightly in molecular weight depending on fatty-acid composition; the value of 88.54 used here is an average for typical serum triglycerides.
The reference ranges shown for blood glucose are for fasting venous plasma (WHO 2006): normal fasting = 3.9–5.5 mmol/L (70–99 mg/dL); impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes) = 5.6–6.9 mmol/L (100–125 mg/dL); diabetes diagnosis threshold ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL). These are population screening thresholds only — always interpret your results with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply mmol/L by 18.016 to get mg/dL. To go the other way, divide mg/dL by 18.016 (or multiply by 0.05551). For example, 7.0 mmol/L = 7.0 × 18.016 ≈ 126 mg/dL, the diabetes diagnostic threshold.
mmol/L is the standard in the United Kingdom, most of Europe, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. mg/dL is standard in the United States, Germany (for glucose), and a few other countries. Blood glucose meters are configured for one system — check your meter's manual before comparing readings.
Yes. Glucose uses a factor of 18.016 (MW = 180.16 g/mol) while cholesterol uses 38.665 (MW = 386.65 g/mol). Always confirm which substance your lab value refers to before applying a factor — using the wrong one gives a very different number.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). mmol/L to mg/dL Calculator — Blood Glucose & Lab Unit Converter [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/mmol-l-to-mg-dl-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "mmol/L to mg/dL Calculator — Blood Glucose & Lab Unit Converter." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/mmol-l-to-mg-dl-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "mmol/L to mg/dL Calculator — Blood Glucose & Lab Unit Converter," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/mmol-l-to-mg-dl-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_mmol_l_to_mg_dl_calculator, title = {mmol/L to mg/dL Calculator — Blood Glucose & Lab Unit Converter}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/mmol-l-to-mg-dl-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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