mmol/L to mg/dL Converter
Convert blood-test units both ways — glucose (blood sugar), BUN/urea and creatinine — with the exact factor and molecular weight shown for every substance. No single factor fits all: pick the substance and the math is transparent.
⚕️ Educational unit converter — not medical advice. Always confirm with your lab report and clinician.Converter
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Quick reference: glucose mmol/L → mg/dL
Common blood-sugar values converted with the precise factor 18.0182.
| mmol/L | mg/dL | mmol/L | mg/dL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 63.1 | 6.5 | 117.1 |
| 4.0 | 72.1 | 7.0 | 126.1 |
| 4.5 | 81.1 | 8.0 | 144.1 |
| 5.0 | 90.1 | 10.0 | 180.2 |
| 5.5 | 99.1 | 6.0 | 108.1 |
Reference ranges (general education — your lab's own range always wins)
Glucose, fasting (ADA)
| Category | mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 70–99 | 3.9–5.5 |
| Prediabetes | 100–125 | 5.6–6.9 |
| Diabetes range | ≥126 | ≥7.0 |
BUN — blood urea nitrogen (Tietz)
| Group | BUN mg/dL | Urea mmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 18–60 | 6–20 | 2.14–7.14 |
| Adult 60–90 | 8–23 | 2.86–8.21 |
Creatinine
| Group | mg/dL | µmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 0.7–1.4 | 62–124 |
| Women | 0.5–1.2 | 44–106 |
These are textbook reference intervals for orientation only. Labs differ by assay, age, sex and population — interpret only against the range printed on your own report, with a clinician.
Why one factor doesn't fit all
mg/dL measures mass per decilitre; mmol/L measures number of molecules per litre. Heavier molecules weigh more per millimole, so the conversion factor is simply:
1 mmol/L = (molecular weight ÷ 10) mg/dL
| Substance | Molecular weight | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose | 180.156 g/mol | 18.0182 |
| Cholesterol | 386.65 g/mol | 38.67 → cholesterol converter |
| Triglycerides | ≈885.7 g/mol | 88.57 → triglyceride converter |
| BUN → urea | urea 60.06 (N part 28.014) | 0.357 (BUN mg/dL × 0.357 = urea mmol/L) |
| Creatinine | 113.12 g/mol | 88.4 (mg/dL × 88.4 = µmol/L) |
BUN is special: it measures only the nitrogen inside urea (28.014 of urea's 60.06 g/mol), so BUN mg/dL × 0.357 gives urea in mmol/L. Whole urea in mg/dL = BUN × 2.14.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert mmol/L to mg/dL?
There is no single factor — it depends on the substance. The general formula is mg/dL = mmol/L × (molecular weight ÷ 10). For glucose the factor is 18.0182, for BUN-to-urea it is 0.357 (applied in the other direction), and for creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L. Select the substance above and the converter applies the correct factor.
How do you convert blood sugar from mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply the mmol/L value by 18.0182. For example, 5.5 mmol/L × 18.0182 = 99.1 mg/dL. The factor comes from the molecular weight of glucose (180.156 g/mol): 180.156 ÷ 10 = 18.0156, and 18.0182 is the widely published precise factor.
How do you convert mg/dL to mmol/L for glucose?
Divide the mg/dL value by 18.0182. For example, 100 mg/dL ÷ 18.0182 = 5.55 mmol/L. For a quick mental estimate, dividing by 18 is close enough for everyday use.
What is 5.5 mmol/L in mg/dL?
5.5 mmol/L of glucose equals 99.1 mg/dL. Other common values: 4.0 → 72.1, 7.0 → 126.1, 10.0 → 180.2 mg/dL. See the quick reference table on this page for more.
Why is the cholesterol conversion factor different (38.67)?
Because cholesterol is a heavier molecule (386.65 g/mol) than glucose (180.156 g/mol), one millimole weighs more: 1 mmol/L cholesterol = 38.67 mg/dL. The dedicated cholesterol-units converter on nrtechstudio.com handles cholesterol and triglycerides with reference ranges.
How do I convert triglycerides from mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply by 88.57 (molecular weight ≈ 885.7 g/mol). For example, 1.7 mmol/L × 88.57 = 150.6 mg/dL. The cholesterol-units tool on nrtechstudio.com has a full triglyceride converter with reference ranges.
How do I convert BUN mg/dL to mmol/L?
Multiply BUN (mg/dL) by 0.357 to get urea in mmol/L — for example, 20 mg/dL × 0.357 = 7.14 mmol/L. Note that BUN measures only the nitrogen part of urea; to get whole urea in mg/dL, multiply BUN by 2.14 instead.
How do I convert creatinine from mg/dL to µmol/L?
Multiply mg/dL by 88.4. For example, 1.0 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L. Labs report creatinine in µmol/L (not mmol/L) because the values are small; 1 mmol/L would equal 1000 µmol/L.
What are normal blood sugar levels in both units?
For general education only: fasting glucose is typically 70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L); 100–125 mg/dL (5.6–6.9) is the prediabetes range and ≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0) the diabetes range (ADA). Ranges vary by lab and context — always use the range printed on your own report.
Why do the US and other countries use different units?
mg/dL is the older mass-based convention still standard in the US, Japan and a few others; mmol/L is the SI (International System) molar unit used across the UK, Europe, Canada and Australia. Both describe the same concentration.
Can I just multiply by 18 in my head?
Yes for glucose — 18 is within 0.1% of the precise 18.0182, far smaller than any meter's error. For cholesterol (38.67) or BUN (0.357) the shortcut does not transfer, so use the converter.
Is this converter medical advice?
No. It converts units only and cannot diagnose, treat, or interpret results. Reference ranges are general educational information and vary by laboratory, assay, age and context. Always discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Methodology & sources
- Glucose factor 18.0182 (MW 180.156 g/mol): Society for Biomedical Diabetes Research unit tables (soc-bdr.org), mdapp.co, selph.co.uk.
- Cholesterol 38.67 (MW 386.65) and triglycerides 88.57 (MW ≈885.7): omnicalculator.com/health/mmol-l-to-mg-dl. Handled by the dedicated cholesterol-units tool, not duplicated here.
- BUN 0.357 (urea MW 60.06, nitrogen 28.014; 10 ÷ 28.014 = 0.35696…): Wikipedia "Blood urea nitrogen", unitslab.com, SSIEM urea guidelines.
- Creatinine 88.4 (MW 113.12 g/mol; 10 ÷ 113.12 × 1000 = 88.40…): standard clinical chemistry conversion.
- Glucose ranges: American Diabetes Association fasting categories; BUN ranges: Tietz reference intervals; creatinine ranges: standard adult intervals. All labelled educational.
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