Blood Sugar Converter
Enter a blood glucose reading to convert instantly between mg/dL (used in the US and a few other countries) and mmol/L (used in most of the rest of the world) — helpful when comparing a meter reading against a chart or reference that uses the other unit.
How the Blood Sugar Converter formula works
The conversion factor between the two units:
mmol/L = mg/dL / 18.0182 mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.0182
Step-by-step calculation
- To convert mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 18.0182.
- To convert mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by 18.0182.
Worked example
A reading of 126 mg/dL: 126 / 18.0182 ≈ 7.0 mmol/L. A reading of 5.5 mmol/L: 5.5 × 18.0182 ≈ 99 mg/dL.
Frequently asked questions
Why do different countries use different blood sugar units?
It's a historical difference in measurement convention — mg/dL measures mass concentration, while mmol/L measures molar concentration. The US and a small number of other countries use mg/dL, while most of the world, including the UK, Canada, and Australia, uses mmol/L.
Is this conversion exact?
Yes — 18.0182 is the precise conversion factor based on glucose's molar mass, so this conversion is mathematically exact, not an approximation.