Low threshold
70 mg/dL = 3.9 mmol/L
Common low-glucose threshold used by ADA and CDC guidance.
Blood glucose units
Glucose Converter
Convert blood glucose readings between mg/dL and mmol/L instantly, then check the result against common low, before-meal, and after-meal reference points used in diabetes care.
This page is for education and tracking only. It does not diagnose diabetes or replace clinician advice.
Blood glucose targets are individualized. Pregnancy, insulin use, frequent lows, illness, age, and other health conditions can change what a safe or useful target looks like for you.
Convert blood glucose between mg/dL and mmol/L instantly.
In the United States, glucose is usually reported in mg/dL. Many other countries use mmol/L.
Interpret this reading as
Quick reference values
These are reference points, not personal treatment targets. Your clinician may set different goals.
Before meals
80 to 130 mg/dL
About 4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes.
After meals
Below 180 mg/dL
Below 10.0 mmol/L is a common 1 to 2 hour after-meal target.
Low threshold
70 mg/dL = 3.9 mmol/L
Below 70 mg/dL is commonly treated as low blood glucose.
Before-meal target starts
80 mg/dL = 4.4 mmol/L
Common premeal target floor for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes.
Before-meal target ceiling
130 mg/dL = 7.2 mmol/L
Common premeal target ceiling for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes.
After-meal target ceiling
180 mg/dL = 10.0 mmol/L
Common 1 to 2 hour after-meal target ceiling for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes.
How to use this result safely
Use the converter to translate the same reading between mg/dL and mmol/L. It does not change the underlying glucose value.
Home glucose checks, CGM values, and laboratory fasting plasma glucose tests are related, but not interchangeable for diagnosis.
If your clinician has given you personal targets for pregnancy, insulin use, illness, or frequent lows, follow those targets instead of generic ranges.
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What is a glucose converter?
A glucose converter changes the reporting unit of the same blood sugar reading. In the United States, glucose is usually shown in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). In many other countries it is shown in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). The number changes because the unit changes, but the underlying glucose concentration stays the same.
Glucose conversion formula
The American Diabetes Association explains the conversion in simple terms:
mmol/L = mg/dL / 18.0182
mg/dL = mmol/L x 18.0182
Quick examples: 70 mg/dL is about 3.9 mmol/L, 126 mg/dL is about 7.0 mmol/L, and 180 mg/dL is about 10.0 mmol/L.
mg/dL vs mmol/L
Both units report the same glucose level in different ways. mg/dL reports mass concentration, while mmol/L reports molar concentration. The ADA notes that blood glucose in the United States is typically reported in mg/dL, while many other countries use mmol/L instead.
Common blood glucose reference points
| Reference | mg/dL | mmol/L | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low threshold | Below 70 | Below 3.9 | Common low-blood-glucose threshold used by ADA and CDC guidance. |
| Before meals | 80 to 130 | 4.4 to 7.2 | Common target range for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes. |
| 1 to 2 hours after meals | Below 180 | Below 10.0 | Common post-meal target used in CDC and ADA guidance. |
| High reading while sick | 240 or above | 13.3 or above | CDC notes ketone testing may be needed for some people with diabetes who are sick. |
What this tool can and cannot tell you
- It can convert units correctly: useful when switching between lab reports, meters, apps, or articles that use different glucose units.
- It can add basic context: low thresholds and common targets help you understand the number faster.
- It cannot diagnose diabetes: diagnosis relies on formal tests such as fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance testing, A1C, and clinician review.
- It cannot replace your personal target: pregnancy, insulin use, frequent lows, age, and other health conditions can justify different goals.
Why people search for a blood sugar converter
- Travel or international care: one country may report glucose in mmol/L while another uses mg/dL.
- Comparing apps and devices: a CGM app, meter, and article may not all use the same unit.
- Learning diabetes targets: common target ranges are easier to understand when they are shown in your familiar unit.
- Checking reference values fast: many people want quick answers such as 70 mg/dL to mmol/L or 180 mg/dL to mmol/L.
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Blood sugar is only one part of the bigger health picture. Continue with blood pressure, BMI, calorie needs, and water intake.
Authority and sources
This page is aligned to public guidance from the American Diabetes Association for glucose units and the CDC for common blood sugar target ranges. It is still not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert glucose from mg/dL to mmol/L?
To convert blood glucose from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the mg/dL value by 18.0182. A quick everyday shortcut is to divide by 18. For example, 180 mg/dL is about 10.0 mmol/L.
How do you convert glucose from mmol/L to mg/dL?
To convert blood glucose from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the mmol/L value by 18.0182. For example, 7.0 mmol/L is about 126 mg/dL.
Why do some countries use mg/dL and others use mmol/L?
The difference is just the reporting unit. The United States commonly uses mg/dL, while many other countries report glucose in mmol/L. The glucose reading itself is the same once converted correctly.
What is considered low blood glucose?
ADA and CDC guidance commonly treat blood glucose below 70 mg/dL, or 3.9 mmol/L, as low blood glucose. People with diabetes may have individualized thresholds from their clinician.
What are common glucose targets before and after meals?
For many non-pregnant adults with diabetes, common targets are 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals and below 180 mg/dL 1 to 2 hours after meals. Personal targets can differ by age, pregnancy status, medication use, and health conditions.
Can this glucose converter diagnose diabetes?
No. This tool converts units and gives general interpretation only. Diabetes diagnosis uses formal lab criteria and clinical review, not a single converted reading from an online tool.
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