Blood Sugar Targets Chart (mmol/L and mg/dL)

Adults with diabetes: American Diabetes Association

The ADA's general goals for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes:

Reading	mmol/L	mg/dL
Before meals	4.4–7.2	80–130
Peak after meals (1–2 hours after starting)	below 10.0	below 180

The ADA notes that these goals should be adjusted for each person: tighter for some, more relaxed for others, for example older adults or people who have frequent lows.

Adults with type 1 diabetes: NICE (UK)

Reading	mmol/L	mg/dL
On waking (fasting)	5–7	90–126
Before meals at other times	4–7	72–126
At least 90 minutes after eating	5–9	90–162

NICE leaves the bedtime target to be agreed with each person, taking into account the last meal and insulin dose.

Pregnancy, including gestational diabetes

Reading	NICE	ADA
Fasting	below 5.3 mmol/L (95 mg/dL)	below 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L)
1 hour after meals	below 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL)	below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)
2 hours after meals	below 6.4 mmol/L (115 mg/dL)	below 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L)

Your clinic will use either the 1-hour or the 2-hour target, not both. NICE also advises women who take insulin in pregnancy to keep their levels above 4 mmol/L (72 mg/dL).

What counts as low

Level	mmol/L	mg/dL
Low (level 1)	below 3.9	below 70
Clinically significant low (level 2)	below 3.0	below 54

These levels come from the ADA. Treat a low as your diabetes team taught you and test again afterwards. A severe low, when you need someone else's help, is an emergency at any number.

Fasting test results without diabetes

These thresholds are used to diagnose diabetes from a fasting lab blood test, not from a home meter. They are not targets for people who already have diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar	mmol/L	mg/dL
Normal	below 5.6	99 or below
Prediabetes	5.6–6.9	100–125
Diabetes	7.0 or above	126 or above

A diagnosis needs a test by a health professional, usually repeated. One high meter reading at home does not mean you have diabetes, but it is a good reason to see a doctor.

Write your own target on your log

Once you and your doctor agree on a range, write it at the top of every log page. It makes high and low readings stand out at a glance, and it makes the in-target column easy to fill in.

Need to switch units? Use the mmol/L to mg/dL converter.

Not medical advice. This guide is general information. Your targets, testing times and treatment come from your doctor, diabetes nurse or clinic, who know your situation.

Make a log with your target printed on itType your target range once and it appears on every page.

Questions

What is a normal blood sugar level?

For people without diabetes, a fasting lab result of 99 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L) or below is normal, according to the CDC. Levels rise after meals and come back down within a few hours.

Why are the ADA and NICE numbers different?

They are written by different expert groups looking at the same evidence, and they make slightly different trade-offs between tight control and the risk of lows. Both are widely used. Your clinic will usually follow its own national guideline.

How do I convert mmol/L to mg/dL?

Multiply mmol/L by 18. For example, 7.0 mmol/L × 18 = 126 mg/dL. To go back, divide mg/dL by 18.

Should my targets be the same as in the chart?

Not necessarily. Guidelines say targets should be set for each person, based on age, other health conditions, risk of lows and other factors. Ask your doctor what your targets should be.

Blood sugar targets chart in mmol/L and mg/dL