Diabetesblogs

A1C Chart: A1C to Blood Sugar Conversion

By the Diabetes Blogs editorial teamLast reviewed

A1C 6% ≈ 126 mg/dL, 7% ≈ 154 mg/dL, 8% ≈ 183 mg/dL. Each full point of A1C is about 28.7 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) of estimated average glucose. Find your number below, or use the calculator.

Estimated average glucose (eAG) from A1C, using the ADAG formula. The highlighted rows are the ADA range cut points.
A1C (%)A1C (mmol/mol)eAG (mg/dL)eAG (mmol/L)ADA range
4.020683.8Below prediabetes range
4.121713.9Below prediabetes range
4.222744.1Below prediabetes range
4.323774.3Below prediabetes range
4.425804.4Below prediabetes range
4.526824.6Below prediabetes range
4.627854.7Below prediabetes range
4.728884.9Below prediabetes range
4.829915.1Below prediabetes range
4.930945.2Below prediabetes range
5.031975.4Below prediabetes range
5.1321005.5Below prediabetes range
5.2331035.7Below prediabetes range
5.3341055.9Below prediabetes range
5.4361086.0Below prediabetes range
5.5371116.2Below prediabetes range
5.6381146.3Below prediabetes range
5.7391176.5Prediabetes range
5.8401206.7Prediabetes range
5.9411236.8Prediabetes range
6.0421267.0Prediabetes range
6.1431287.1Prediabetes range
6.2441317.3Prediabetes range
6.3451347.5Prediabetes range
6.4461377.6Prediabetes range
6.5481407.8Diabetes range
6.6491437.9Diabetes range
6.7501468.1Diabetes range
6.8511488.2Diabetes range
6.9521518.4Diabetes range
7.0531548.6Diabetes range
7.1541578.7Diabetes range
7.2551608.9Diabetes range
7.3561639.0Diabetes range
7.4571669.2Diabetes range
7.5581699.4Diabetes range
7.6601719.5Diabetes range
7.7611749.7Diabetes range
7.8621779.8Diabetes range
7.96318010.0Diabetes range
8.06418310.2Diabetes range
8.16518610.3Diabetes range
8.26618910.5Diabetes range
8.36719210.6Diabetes range
8.46819410.8Diabetes range
8.56919711.0Diabetes range
8.67020011.1Diabetes range
8.77220311.3Diabetes range
8.87320611.4Diabetes range
8.97420911.6Diabetes range
9.07521211.8Diabetes range
9.17621411.9Diabetes range
9.27721712.1Diabetes range
9.37822012.2Diabetes range
9.47922312.4Diabetes range
9.58022612.6Diabetes range
9.68122912.7Diabetes range
9.78323212.9Diabetes range
9.88423513.0Diabetes range
9.98523713.2Diabetes range
10.08624013.4Diabetes range
10.18724313.5Diabetes range
10.28824613.7Diabetes range
10.38924913.8Diabetes range
10.49025214.0Diabetes range
10.59125514.1Diabetes range
10.69225814.3Diabetes range
10.79326014.5Diabetes range
10.89526314.6Diabetes range
10.99626614.8Diabetes range
11.09726914.9Diabetes range
11.19827215.1Diabetes range
11.29927515.3Diabetes range
11.310027815.4Diabetes range
11.410128015.6Diabetes range
11.510228315.7Diabetes range
11.610328615.9Diabetes range
11.710428916.1Diabetes range
11.810529216.2Diabetes range
11.910729516.4Diabetes range
12.010829816.5Diabetes range
12.110930116.7Diabetes range
12.211030316.9Diabetes range
12.311130617.0Diabetes range
12.411230917.2Diabetes range
12.511331217.3Diabetes range
12.611431517.5Diabetes range
12.711531817.7Diabetes range
12.811632117.8Diabetes range
12.911732418.0Diabetes range
13.011932618.1Diabetes range
13.112032918.3Diabetes range
13.212133218.5Diabetes range
13.312233518.6Diabetes range
13.412333818.8Diabetes range
13.512434118.9Diabetes range
13.612534419.1Diabetes range
13.712634619.2Diabetes range
13.812734919.4Diabetes range
13.912835219.6Diabetes range
14.013035519.7Diabetes range

Ranges: Below the ADA prediabetes range (under 5.7%); In the ADA prediabetes range (5.7% to 6.4%); In the ADA diabetes range (6.5% or higher). Values are estimates, rounded. The ADAG study covered about 5% to 12%, so rows outside that are rougher.

How to use this chart

Find your A1C in the first column. The row shows the same result in the units used on lab reports from other countries (mmol/mol) and as an estimated average glucose, in mg/dL or mmol/L. Use the switch above the chart to show your preferred unit; the choice is remembered in this browser only.

Three rows are highlighted. 5.7% and 6.5% are the ADA cut points for the prediabetes and diabetes ranges. 7.0% is the common A1C goal the ADA gives for many nonpregnant adults. Your own goal can be different.

Targets are personal

The chart shows what a number means, not what yours should be. The ADA says an A1C goal of under 7% is appropriate for many nonpregnant adults, that lower goals can suit people in good health with low treatment risks, and that less strict goals can suit people with significant cognitive or functional limits, frailty or severe other conditions. Children, pregnancy and older age each have their own guidance. Ask your care team what your number should be, and why.

Why a chart and a calculator

The chart is quick to scan and prints on a page for the fridge or an appointment. The A1C calculator handles any value in between, such as 6.85%, and goes the other way, from an average glucose to A1C. Both use the same formula, so they always agree.

What to remember

  • A1C reflects roughly the last two to three months, not today.
  • The same A1C can come from steady glucose or from highs and lows that average out.
  • Some conditions, such as anemia or certain hemoglobin variants, can make A1C less reliable. Tell your clinician if your readings and A1C keep disagreeing.
  • Only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal A1C?

The ADA lists an A1C under 5.7% as below the prediabetes range. People without diabetes commonly fall below that, but a single number is not a diagnosis. Ask your clinician how to read yours.

Does the A1C chart change with age?

The conversion from A1C to estimated average glucose does not change with age. What changes is the goal. The ADA says less strict goals can suit people with significant cognitive or functional limits, frailty or severe other conditions, so your target may differ from the 7% many adults aim for.

What is an A1C of 7 in blood sugar?

About 154 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L) as an estimated average over the last two to three months.

Is a lower A1C always better?

Not always. Pushing glucose too low can raise the risk of hypoglycemia for some people. The ADA says lower goals, such as under 6.5%, may suit people in good health with low treatment risks. Set your goal with your care team.

Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.

Sources

Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.

Related tools and guides

A1C calculator

A1C to average blood sugar and back, in mg/dL and mmol/L.

Blood sugar chart

Published ADA and CDC ranges in mg/dL and mmol/L, with a quick check and a printable page.

GMI calculator

Mean glucose to GMI, plus time in range from pasted readings.

A1C of 5.7

What 5.7% means and what the CDC suggests next.

A1C of 6.5

The diagnostic threshold, and why a second test is needed.

A1C of 7

The common ADA goal for adults, and who may have another.