Convert clinical laboratory values between conventional units (such as mg/dL) and SI units (such as mmol/L and µmol/L).
This is an educational unit-conversion tool for reference only — not medical advice. Do not use it to make diagnostic or treatment decisions. Always consult a physician or healthcare professional to interpret lab values.
Conversion direction
Converted result
5.55
mmol/L
Conventional unit
100
mg/dL
SI unit
5.55
mmol/L
Conversion formula
mg/dL ÷ 18.0156 = mmol/L
Conversion factors differ by analyte (they depend on molecular weight). Reference ranges vary by laboratory and country.
Clinical lab results are reported in different units depending on the country and the laboratory. The United States typically reports blood glucose in mg/dL, while most of the rest of the world uses the SI unit mmol/L. This tool converts common analytes — glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), bilirubin, calcium, uric acid and albumin — accurately between conventional and SI units. Because each conversion uses a factor based on the substance's molecular weight, it is useful for reading lab reports from abroad or comparing values in papers and clinical guidelines.
How to use it
1. Choose the test (analyte), e.g. glucose or cholesterol.
2. Choose the direction (conventional → SI, or SI → conventional).
3. Enter a value; the result in both units appears instantly.
The result is purely a numerical unit conversion — it does not tell you whether a value is normal or abnormal.
Conversion formula
The conversion factor differs by analyte because each substance has a different molecular weight. Examples:
• Glucose: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 18.0182
• Total cholesterol: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67
• Triglycerides: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 88.57
• Creatinine: µmol/L = mg/dL × 88.42
• Uric acid: µmol/L = mg/dL × 59.48
• Calcium: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 4.008
To convert the other way, swap the division and multiplication.
How to read the result
The tool shows only the converted number, not an assessment of your health. Whether a value falls within a reference range depends on age, sex, fasting status, coexisting conditions and the measurement method, and the reference ranges themselves differ between laboratories and countries. If a value concerns you or you want to understand what a result means, do not self-diagnose — always consult your physician or a healthcare professional.
FAQ
What is the difference between mg/dL and mmol/L? ▾
mg/dL is a conventional unit expressing mass (milligrams) per fixed volume of blood (one deciliter). mmol/L is the SI unit expressing amount of substance (moles) per liter, used in most countries outside the US. The same test can be reported in different units depending on the country, so a conversion is needed to compare them.
Why is the conversion factor different for each analyte? ▾
Converting from mass (mg) to amount of substance (mmol) requires the substance's molecular weight, and that weight differs from one substance to another. So glucose and cholesterol have different conversion factors. It follows the basic chemistry rule that amount of substance equals mass divided by molecular weight.
Can this conversion tell me whether I am sick? ▾
No. The tool only converts units; it does not judge whether a value is normal or abnormal. A diagnosis is made by a physician who weighs many pieces of information together. Always have a healthcare professional interpret your lab results.
Why are creatinine and uric acid multiplied rather than divided? ▾
Their SI unit is µmol/L (micromoles), so converting from mg/dL produces larger numbers and uses multiplication. Glucose and similar analytes use mmol/L (millimoles), so they are divided. The difference comes from the unit prefix — milli versus micro.
Does this tool also give reference ranges? ▾
No. It performs unit conversion only. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the assay method and the population, so they are not shown here. For reference ranges and their interpretation, check the values printed on your lab report or ask your doctor.
This is an educational unit-conversion tool for reference only — not medical advice. Do not use it to make diagnostic or treatment decisions. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and country. If anything about your lab values concerns you, always consult a physician or healthcare professional.