The A1C chart 2024 uses the American Diabetes Association cutoffs that have been in place since 2010: under 5.7 percent is normal, 5.7 to 6.4 percent is prediabetes, and 6.5 percent or higher (confirmed on repeat testing) is diabetes. The 2024 Standards of Care added expanded guidance on continuous glucose monitoring and age-adjusted targets, but the chart itself is unchanged.
The Complete A1C Chart 2024
| A1C (%) | eAG (mg/dL) | eAG (mmol/L) | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 68 | 3.8 | Low normal |
| 5.0 | 97 | 5.4 | Normal |
| 5.4 | 108 | 6.0 | Normal |
| 5.6 | 114 | 6.3 | Normal (upper) |
| 5.7 | 117 | 6.5 | Prediabetes (lower) |
| 6.0 | 126 | 7.0 | Prediabetes |
| 6.2 | 131 | 7.3 | Prediabetes |
| 6.4 | 137 | 7.6 | Prediabetes (upper) |
| 6.5 | 140 | 7.8 | Diabetes (confirmed x2) |
| 7.0 | 154 | 8.6 | Diabetes (typical target) |
| 8.0 | 183 | 10.2 | Diabetes (uncontrolled) |
| 9.0 | 212 | 11.8 | Diabetes (poorly controlled) |
| 10.0 | 240 | 13.4 | Diabetes (high risk) |
| 12.0 | 298 | 16.5 | Diabetes (crisis range) |
How to Read the Chart
A1C is expressed as a percentage of hemoglobin that has glucose bonded to it. Because red blood cells live approximately 120 days, A1C reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months, with the most recent 30 days weighted most heavily. Each 0.1 percent change in A1C corresponds to roughly 2.9 mg/dL change in average glucose.
The estimated average glucose (eAG) column uses the ADA-endorsed ADAG formula: eAG = 28.7 x A1C – 46.7. For a given A1C, the expected average blood sugar is the same whether you measure by home meter, CGM, or laboratory venous glucose, assuming typical red-cell lifespan.
Diagnostic Categories Explained
Normal: under 5.7 percent. Glucose handling is within the expected range. No intervention is typically needed beyond routine preventive care.
Prediabetes: 5.7 to 6.4 percent. Blood sugar is elevated but not yet diabetic. Annual progression to type 2 diabetes is roughly 5-10 percent without intervention. With a 5-7 percent weight loss and 150 minutes of weekly exercise, the Diabetes Prevention Program showed a 58 percent reduction in 3-year progression. See our prediabetes hub for a full overview.
Diabetes: 6.5 percent or higher. Diagnosis requires confirmation with a second A1C, fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, 2-hour post-OGTT glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher, or a random glucose of 200 mg/dL with classic symptoms. Treatment targets are individualized; most non-pregnant adults aim for under 7 percent.
What Changed in the 2024 ADA Standards
The ADA Standards of Care 2024 added several updates that affect how A1C is interpreted in practice, even though the chart cutoffs did not change:
- CGM integration. Continuous glucose monitoring is now recommended for all adults with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes on any insulin therapy, with the Glucose Management Indicator (GMI) considered alongside lab A1C.
- Time in range targets. For adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, time in range 70-180 mg/dL greater than 70 percent, with time below 70 mg/dL under 4 percent.
- Weight-centric care. For adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, weight management is now framed as a primary outcome alongside A1C reduction, reflecting the rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 agents.
- Individualized targets. A1C goals are now explicitly stratified by age, comorbidities, and life expectancy.
A1C Targets by Population
| Population | A1C Target |
|---|---|
| Adults under 65, generally healthy | Under 7% |
| Older adults, healthy | Under 7.5% |
| Older adults, multiple comorbidities | Under 8% |
| Older adults, limited life expectancy | Under 8.5% (avoid hypoglycemia) |
| Pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes | 6.0-6.5% |
| Children and adolescents | Under 7% |
How to Move Your A1C in the Right Direction
Most people can reduce A1C by 0.5 to 1.5 percent through focused lifestyle change over 3-6 months, depending on baseline. The evidence-backed interventions are:
- Modest weight loss, 5-7 percent of body weight
- 150 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
- Resistance training twice per week
- Mediterranean or moderate-carbohydrate eating pattern
- 7-9 hours of sleep nightly
- Metformin if indicated and tolerated
- GLP-1 agonist or dual agonist for those meeting criteria
For more detail, see our treatment hub.
The Bottom Line
The A1C chart 2024 preserves the ADA cutoffs of under 5.7 percent normal, 5.7 to 6.4 percent prediabetes, and 6.5 percent or higher diabetes. The 2024 Standards of Care add more explicit guidance on continuous glucose monitoring, individualized targets by age and comorbidity, and weight management as a primary goal. Use the chart as a translation tool between A1C and estimated average glucose, and track progress every 3-6 months.
