This blood sugar chart exhibits regular blood glucose ranges earlier than and after meals, and advisable A1C ranges for individuals with and with out diabetes. All values are based mostly on the 2026 American Diabetes Affiliation Requirements of Medical Care in Diabetes.
Supply: American Diabetes Affiliation Requirements of Medical Care in Diabetes — 2026. Particular person targets could fluctuate. At all times seek the advice of your healthcare supplier.
Fasting blood glucose — visible vary (mg/dL)
ADA 2026
Low
Regular
Prediabetes
Diabetes vary
Very Excessive
99125180250+
Key Factors
Common monitoring of fasting, after-meal, and A1C ranges helps assess blood sugar administration and general well being. The A1C take a look at displays common blood sugar over 2–3 months and is crucial long-term measure for individuals with diabetes.
Blood sugar targets could must be individualised based mostly on age, length of diabetes, different well being situations, and hypoglycaemia danger. At all times talk about your particular targets together with your healthcare supplier.
Fasting Blood Sugar
A fasting blood sugar (fasting plasma glucose or FPG) is measured after fasting — not consuming or ingesting something besides water — for at the very least 8 hours. It’s the commonest take a look at used to display screen for prediabetes and diabetes.
Fasting exams are carried out at a physician’s workplace or laboratory — a blood pattern is drawn from a vein, or collected by way of a finger-stick with a lancet. Dwelling glucose meters aren’t acceptable for analysis — laboratory requirements are extra exact. If you happen to suspect diabetes, see a physician for a proper laboratory take a look at reasonably than counting on a house meter studying.
Regular fasting blood sugar (no diabetes)
A traditional fasting blood glucose for somebody with out diabetes is 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to five.5 mmol/L). The ADA recommends routine sort 2 diabetes screening beginning at age 35, repeated each 3 years if regular. Earlier and extra frequent screening is advisable in case you have danger elements together with weight problems, a household historical past of sort 2 diabetes, a historical past of gestational diabetes, or being of African American, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Native American descent.
Prediabetes fasting vary
A fasting blood sugar of 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to six.9 mmol/L) signifies prediabetes. It is a danger issue for sort 2 diabetes, coronary heart illness, and stroke, however it’s typically reversible via way of life adjustments. Kids and adolescents with weight problems and extra danger elements needs to be examined starting at age 10 or on the onset of puberty, whichever comes first.
Random blood glucose take a look at
A random blood glucose take a look at is taken at any time of day, no matter while you final ate. A consequence beneath 140 mg/dL is usually thought-about regular. A results of 200 mg/dL or above, mixed with signs of diabetes, is diagnostic of diabetes. Random testing is helpful in scientific settings when a fasting take a look at is not sensible, however fasting or A1C exams are most popular for routine screening.
ADA fasting goal for individuals with diabetes
The ADA recommends a fasting blood sugar goal of 80 to 130 mg/dL (4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L) for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes. This goal could must be individualised based mostly on age, life expectancy, different well being situations, and hypoglycaemia danger.
After-Meal Blood Sugar (Postprandial)
Blood sugar naturally rises after consuming and usually peaks inside 1 to 2 hours after the beginning of a meal earlier than returning towards baseline.
Regular after-meal blood sugar (no diabetes)
A traditional blood sugar at 2 hours after consuming is beneath 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). Wholesome adults have been proven to stay beneath 140 mg/dL about 95–99% of the time. A results of 140–199 mg/dL suggests prediabetes; 200 mg/dL or above could point out diabetes.
ADA after-meal goal for individuals with diabetes
The ADA recommends blood sugar lower than 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) at 1 to 2 hours after the beginning of a meal. That is usually the height studying for individuals with diabetes. Submit-meal monitoring is very vital for individuals on insulin.
What causes post-meal spikes?
Submit-meal glucose rises are influenced by the sort and amount of carbohydrates eaten, glycaemic index, portion dimension, remedy timing, bodily exercise stage, stress, sickness, and sleep high quality. A registered dietitian can assist you establish patterns and regulate your consuming habits to handle post-meal ranges. See our article on managing excessive blood glucose after meals →
A1C (HbA1c) Ranges
The A1C take a look at — additionally referred to as HbA1c, haemoglobin A1C, or glycated haemoglobin — measures common blood glucose over the previous 2 to three months. No fasting is required. Outcomes are reported as a proportion: the upper the proportion, the upper the typical blood glucose.
The A1C take a look at could also be much less correct for individuals with sure anaemias or haemoglobin variants, or these receiving therapy for HIV. Individuals of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian descent might also have variants that have an effect on the take a look at.
Regular A1C (no diabetes)
A traditional A1C is beneath 5.7%. Adults over 45 — or youthful adults who’re chubby with a number of diabetes danger elements — ought to have a baseline A1C checked and retested each 3 years if regular.
Prediabetes A1C vary
An A1C of 5.7% to six.4% signifies prediabetes. In case your consequence falls on this vary, the ADA recommends rechecking each 1–2 years and making way of life adjustments to cut back your danger.
ADA A1C targets for individuals with diabetes
The ADA recommends an A1C of lower than 7.0% for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes. A1C needs to be checked 2 to 4 occasions per 12 months — quarterly in case your diabetes isn’t properly managed or should you’ve just lately modified therapy, and twice yearly in case your blood sugar is secure and inside goal. Nevertheless, targets needs to be individualised:
- Decrease aim ( could go well with individuals with shorter diabetes length, youthful age, no heart problems, or these managed with way of life/metformin solely.
- Greater aim ( could also be acceptable for individuals with a historical past of extreme hypoglycaemia, restricted life expectancy, superior issues, or different sickness.
Free Blood Sugar Log Sheet
Observe your fasting, after-meal, and A1C readings with our free printable diabetes logbook. One sheet covers a full week of readings.
Blood Sugar Ranges by Situation
Choose a situation for particular ADA 2026 targets:
| Measurement | ADA 2026 Goal | mmol/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting / pre-meal | 80–130 mg/dL | 4.4–7.2 | Individualise for age and comorbidities |
| 2 hrs post-meal | Peak usually 1–2 hrs after consuming | ||
| A1C | — | Decrease ( | |
| Bedtime | 80–180 mg/dL | 4.4–10.0 | Talk about together with your care crew |
| Time in Vary (TIR) | >70% | — | 70–180 mg/dL per CGM; ADA/ATTD consensus |
| Measurement | ADA 2026 Goal | mmol/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting / pre-meal | 80–130 mg/dL | 4.4–7.2 | CGM strongly advisable |
| 2 hrs post-meal | Submit-meal monitoring crucial with insulin | ||
| A1C | — | With out vital hypoglycaemia | |
| Time in Vary (TIR) | >70% | — | 70–180 mg/dL |
| Time Under Vary | — |
| Measurement | Diagnostic Vary | mmol/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | 100–125 mg/dL | 5.6–6.9 | Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) |
| 2-hr OGTT | 140–199 mg/dL | 7.8–11.0 | Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) |
| A1C | 5.7–6.4% | — | Recheck each 1–2 years |
| Aim with intervention | Return to regular | — | Way of life adjustments can reverse prediabetes |
| Measurement | ADA 2026 Goal (Being pregnant) | mmol/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting | Tighter targets required in being pregnant | ||
| 1 hr post-meal | — | ||
| 2 hrs post-meal | — | ||
| A1C | 6.0–6.5% | — | CGM most popular; keep away from hypoglycaemia |
| Measurement | Regular Vary (No Diabetes) | mmol/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting | 70–99 mg/dL | 3.9–5.5 | Optimum could also be 70–90 for lowest CVD danger |
| 2 hrs post-meal | Wholesome adults hardly ever exceed 140 | ||
| A1C | — | Display each 3 yrs from age 35 | |
| Peak glucose | Spikes above 160 could warrant analysis |
Blood Sugar Ranges by Age
The ADA diagnostic thresholds for diabetes are the identical for all adults no matter age. Nevertheless, therapy targets are sometimes adjusted based mostly on age and particular person well being circumstances. Right here is how blood sugar targets usually fluctuate throughout life phases:
| Age Group | Regular Fasting | Regular Submit-Meal | A1C Goal (if diabetic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids (6–12) | 70–120 mg/dL | ||
| Adolescents (13–17) | 70–120 mg/dL | ||
| Adults (18–59) | 70–99 mg/dL | ||
| Adults (60–74) | 70–99 mg/dL | ||
| Older Adults (75+) | 70–105 mg/dL | ||
| Being pregnant | 6.0–6.5% | ||
| Diagnostic thresholds (fasting ≥126 mg/dL, A1C ≥6.5%) are the identical for all adults. Age-based changes apply to therapy targets solely, not analysis. At all times talk about particular person targets together with your healthcare supplier. | |||
Why do targets differ for older adults?
Adults over 65 with a number of persistent situations, cognitive impairment, restricted life expectancy, or a excessive danger of falls could profit from much less aggressive glucose targets. Hypoglycaemia is extra harmful on this group — the danger of falls, cardiac occasions, and cognitive results is increased. The ADA recommends a better A1C ceiling (as much as 8.5%) for older adults who’re frail or have complicated medical wants.
Harmful Blood Sugar Ranges
⚠ Emergency thresholds — search instant care
Extreme hypoglycaemia: Blood sugar beneath 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) — seizure or lack of consciousness doable. Name 911 instantly.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Blood sugar above 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) with ketones current. Search pressing medical care.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS): Blood sugar above 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L) — a life-threatening emergency. Name 911.
| Stage | mg/dL | mmol/L | Really useful Motion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme hypoglycaemia | Emergency — name 911 | ||
| Hypoglycaemia | Deal with with 15g fast-acting carbs (15-15 rule) | ||
| Low-normal | 3.9–4.4 | Monitor; might have snack earlier than train | |
| Goal vary | 4.4–7.2 | ADA fasting goal for many adults with diabetes | |
| Mildly elevated | 10.1–13.3 | Monitor; think about remedy adjustment | |
| Excessive — examine ketones | 13.4–16.7 | Examine ketones; contact your care crew | |
| Very excessive | 16.7–33.3 | Search pressing medical consideration | |
| Essential — HHS danger | >33.3 | Life-threatening — name 911 |
The 15-15 Rule for Hypoglycaemia
If blood sugar is beneath 70 mg/dL: eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (4 glucose tablets, 4 oz orange juice, 4 oz common soda, or 1 tablespoon honey). Wait quarter-hour, then recheck. If nonetheless beneath 70, repeat. As soon as above 70, eat a small snack in case your subsequent meal is greater than an hour away. If the particular person is unconscious or can not swallow safely, name 911 — don’t attempt to give meals or drink.
What Impacts Blood Sugar Ranges?
Many elements past meals and medicine affect your blood glucose. Understanding them helps you interpret readings and keep away from surprises. Components can push blood sugar up, down, or in both path relying on the scenario.
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Meals (carbohydrates)
Carbohydrates elevate blood sugar most straight. Excessive-glycaemic meals (white bread, sugary drinks, white rice) trigger quicker, bigger spikes than low-GI choices (legumes, most greens, complete grains).
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Bodily exercise
Train usually lowers blood sugar by serving to muscle tissues take up glucose with out insulin. Nevertheless, intense anaerobic exercise (sprinting, heavy lifting) can quickly elevate blood sugar on account of stress hormones.
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Stress
Each bodily stress (sickness, harm, surgical procedure) and emotional stress elevate blood sugar by triggering cortisol and adrenaline launch — each of which trigger the liver to launch saved glucose.
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Sleep
Poor or inadequate sleep raises cortisol ranges and reduces insulin sensitivity. Even one evening of poor sleep can produce measurably increased fasting glucose the following morning.
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Remedy
Insulin and most diabetes medicines decrease blood sugar. Steroids (prednisone), some antipsychotics, sure blood strain medicine, and decongestants can elevate it. At all times assessment new medicines together with your care crew.
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Sickness
Whenever you’re sick, your physique releases stress hormones that elevate blood sugar — even should you’re consuming lower than normal. Monitor extra incessantly when sick and comply with your sick-day administration plan.
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Alcohol
Alcohol could cause hypoglycaemia — particularly should you drink with out consuming — as a result of it blocks the liver from releasing saved glucose. It could possibly additionally trigger delayed hypoglycaemia hours later. Beer and candy cocktails additionally comprise carbohydrates that quickly elevate blood sugar.
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Warmth & dehydration
Scorching climate and dehydration can focus glucose within the blood, elevating readings. Warmth additionally dilates blood vessels and may have an effect on how rapidly insulin is absorbed from injection websites.
Signs of Excessive and Low Blood Sugar
Signs alone ought to by no means be used to diagnose or verify a blood sugar stage — all the time use a glucose meter or CGM. Some individuals, significantly these with long-standing diabetes, expertise few or no signs of hypoglycaemia (hypoglycaemia unawareness), which makes common monitoring particularly vital.
- Shakiness or trembling
- Sweating, chills, clamminess
- Speedy or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Starvation, nausea
- Blurred or double imaginative and prescient
- Headache, irritability, anxiousness
- Pale pores and skin color
- Confusion or problem concentrating
- Lack of consciousness (extreme)
Excessive Blood Sugar (>180 mg/dL)
- Frequent urination
- Elevated thirst
- Blurred imaginative and prescient
- Headache
- Fatigue, weak point
- Dry mouth
- Gradual-healing cuts or wounds
- Fruity-smelling breath (DKA warning)
- Nausea or vomiting (DKA)
- Confusion (extreme/HHS)
mg/dL to mmol/L Conversion
The US makes use of mg/dL as the usual unit for blood glucose. Most different nations use mmol/L. To transform: divide mg/dL by 18.016 to get mmol/L.
mg/dL
mmol/L
mg/dL
mmol/L
54
3.0
154
8.6
70
3.9
180
10.0
80
4.4
200
11.1
99
5.5
240
13.3
100
5.6
300
16.7
125
6.9
400
22.2
126
7.0
500
27.8
130
7.2
600
33.3
Blood Sugar Chart: Abstract
The fasting blood sugar, 2-hour post-meal blood sugar, and A1C exams are the first instruments for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes, and for monitoring how properly diabetes is managed. If you happen to suppose you could have diabetes, don’t try self-diagnosis with a house meter alone — formal laboratory testing is required.
You probably have not been identified however your outcomes are above regular, your physician could advocate further exams and way of life adjustments, together with weight administration, a wholesome consuming plan, and common bodily exercise. In case you are identified with diabetes, studying to observe blood sugar with a meter or CGM is without doubt one of the most vital steps you may take.
Learn extra: Blood Sugar Monitoring: When to Examine and Why →
Steadily Requested Questions
A traditional fasting blood sugar for somebody with out diabetes is 70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L). A stage of 100–125 mg/dL signifies prediabetes. A stage of 126 mg/dL or above on two separate exams is diagnostic of diabetes. For individuals already identified with diabetes, the ADA recommends a fasting goal of 80–130 mg/dL.
For individuals with out diabetes, blood sugar at 2 hours after a meal needs to be beneath 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). For individuals with diabetes, the ADA recommends lower than 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L). A price of 140–199 mg/dL at 2 hours suggests prediabetes; 200 mg/dL or above could point out diabetes.
A traditional A1C for somebody with out diabetes is beneath 5.7%. An A1C of 5.7–6.4% signifies prediabetes. An A1C of 6.5% or above on two separate exams is diagnostic of diabetes. The ADA recommends lower than 7.0% for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes, although particular person targets fluctuate.
Blood sugar above 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) warrants checking for ketones, as this stage carries a danger of DKA in individuals on insulin or with sort 1 diabetes. Blood sugar above 300 mg/dL requires pressing medical consideration. Blood sugar above 600 mg/dL could cause hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) — a life-threatening emergency. Name 911.
Blood sugar beneath 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is hypoglycaemia and needs to be handled instantly utilizing the 15-15 rule (15g fast-acting carbs, recheck in quarter-hour). Blood sugar beneath 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is clinically vital and requires pressing therapy. If the particular person can not swallow safely or loses consciousness, name 911.
The ADA diagnostic thresholds are the identical for all adults: fasting beneath 100 mg/dL is regular. Nevertheless, therapy targets are sometimes adjusted for older adults — an A1C of lower than 8% (and even 8.5%) could also be acceptable for adults over 65 with complicated well being wants or excessive hypoglycaemia danger. Kids and youngsters with diabetes usually have the identical targets as adults, managed by a paediatric diabetes crew.
The ADA gives an estimated common glucose (eAG) method to transform A1C into on a regular basis mg/dL. Approximate conversions: A1C 5.0% ≈ 97 mg/dL · A1C 6.0% ≈ 126 mg/dL · A1C 7.0% ≈ 154 mg/dL · A1C 8.0% ≈ 183 mg/dL · A1C 9.0% ≈ 212 mg/dL · A1C 10.0% ≈ 240 mg/dL. The A1C is a weighted common — more moderen weeks contribute greater than earlier ones.
That is probably the daybreak phenomenon — a pure surge of hormones (together with cortisol and development hormone) that happens within the early morning hours, usually between 4 and eight AM. These hormones sign the liver to launch saved glucose in preparation for waking exercise. In individuals with out diabetes, the physique produces additional insulin to compensate. In individuals with diabetes, this compensation is impaired, inflicting fasting blood sugar to be increased than anticipated. The daybreak phenomenon is distinct from the Somogyi impact (rebound hyperglycaemia after in a single day low blood sugar) and is quite common in each sort 1 and kind 2 diabetes. Adjusting remedy timing, altering the timing of night meals, or utilizing a CGM to watch in a single day traits can assist — talk about together with your care crew.
A random blood glucose take a look at is taken at any time of day, no matter while you final ate. A consequence beneath 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is usually thought-about regular. A results of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or above, when accompanied by basic signs of diabetes (thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight reduction), is diagnostic of diabetes. Random testing is helpful in emergency or scientific settings, however fasting blood glucose or A1C exams are most popular for routine diabetes screening as a result of they’re much less affected by latest meals consumption.
Time in vary (TIR) is a measure used with steady glucose screens (CGMs) that exhibits what proportion of the day your blood sugar stays inside a goal vary — usually 70–180 mg/dL for many adults with diabetes. The ADA and worldwide consensus advocate a TIR of greater than 70% as a key aim. TIR gives a extra full image than A1C alone as a result of it captures variability and time spent low in addition to time spent excessive. See our information to CGM for diabetes administration →
Amy Campbell, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES
Registered Dietitian · Licensed Diabetes Care and Schooling Specialist
Sources & References
- American Diabetes Affiliation. Requirements of Medical Care in Diabetes — 2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1).
- American Diabetes Affiliation. Analysis & A1C. diabetes.org.
- American Diabetes Affiliation. Checking Your Blood Sugar. diabetes.org.
- Nathan DM, et al. Translating the A1C assay into estimated common glucose values. Diabetes Care. 2008;31(8):1473–1478.
- Battelino T, et al. Scientific targets for steady glucose monitoring information interpretation: suggestions from the worldwide consensus on time in vary. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593–1603.
- American Diabetes Affiliation. Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar). diabetes.org.
Medical disclaimer: The content material on this web page is for informational functions solely and isn’t an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation, analysis, or therapy. At all times seek the advice of your doctor or certified healthcare supplier relating to your blood sugar targets or diabetes administration. Particular person targets could differ from the final ADA tips proven right here.
