10/11/2025
Why Blood Glucose Readings Look Different Around the World
Why Blood Glucose Readings Look Different Around the World
Sometimes people get confused when they see others sharing blood sugar numbers that don’t look like theirs. For example, someone says, “My glucose is 95,” another says, “mine is 5.3.” Both can be perfectly normal, but they use different measurements depending on the country.
Here’s how it works
The United States & Canada use mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
The UK and most of Europe use mmol/L (millimoles per litre)
Some Asian countries may use mg% or other local terms, but it’s the same idea.
How to convert:
From mg/dL → mmol/L: divide by 18
(Example: 90 mg/dL ÷ 18 = 5.0 mmol/L)
From mmol/L → mg/dL: multiply by 18
(Example: 5.5 mmol/L × 18 = 99 mg/dL)
If you buy a glucose meter from another country or read info online, your numbers might look “too high” or “too low” — when in fact, they’re perfectly fine. You just need to know the unit!
Before you worry about your numbers, always check what unit your device shows. A small “mmol/L” or “mg/dL” mark will be on the screen.
In our group, we help you understand not just the numbers, but what they mean for your health — because managing diabetes starts with understanding your body.
