A1c calculator
Also known as HbA1c, your hemoglobin A1C ("HbA1c") is a snapshot of your blood glucose levels for the last two to three months. As such, it can serve as a general gauge of your diabetes management. The recommended HbA1c target for a person living with diabetes is 7% or lower.1
The calculator below is provided to illustrate the relationship between HbA1c and average blood glucose levels. This calculation is not meant to replace an actual lab HbA1c result.
Simply enter your average blood glucose and the calculator will return your estimated HbA1c values (in percentage and mmol/mol).
The estimated HbA1c calculated here is just an estimation based on the average blood glucose you have entered. It should not replace the HbA1c check carried out by your doctor and the result shown here may differ from the lab value you get. This calculation should not be used to make therapy decisions or changes. You can discuss with your healthcare professional how this approximate measurement could help you in your overall diabetes management.
Also known as A1C or glycated hemoglobin, your hemoglobin A1C ("HbA1c") is a measurement of your average blood glucose for the last 2 to 3 months.2
In your body, glucose naturally attaches itself to your red blood cells. When this happens, the cell is considered ""glycated"". The more glucose in your blood, the more glycated A1c you have in your cells.
You should always discuss personal targets for HbA1c with your healthcare professional first.
According to Diabetes Canada, the recommended HbA1c target for a person living with diabetes is 7% or lower.1
Many factors can affect blood glucose, so it's critical to have your HbA1c checked by your doctor regularly. According to Diabetes Canada, HbA1c should be measured at least every 3 months when glycemic targets are not being met and when diabetes therapy is being adjusted or changed. Testing at 6-month intervals may be considered in situations where glycemic targets are consistently achieved. In some circumstances, such as when significant changes are made to therapy, or during pregnancy, it is appropriate to check HbA1c more frequently.2
HbA1c is important, but it's not a substitute for frequent self-monitoring. Only regular blood sugar checks show you how meals, activity, medications, and stress affect your blood sugar at a single moment in time, as well as over the course of a day or week.
Without regular self-monitoring to provide day-to-day insights, an HbA1c result can be confusing. Because it gives a long-term view, a person with frequent highs and lows could have an in-range HbA1c result that looks quite healthy.3
The only way to get a complete picture of your blood sugar control is by reviewing your day-to-day self-checks along with your regular HbA1c values, and working closely with your healthcare team to interpret the results.
Keeping your A1c test results low can significantly reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications such as nerve problems, damage to your eyes, kidney disease and heart problems.4