An A1C chart maps your hemoglobin A1C percentage to your estimated average blood glucose (eAG) and classifies the result as normal, prediabetes, or diabetes. The standard cutoffs are clear: below 5.7 percent is normal, 5.7 to 6.4 percent is prediabetes, and 6.5 percent or higher is diabetes. This page gives you the full reference table from 4.0 to 14.0 percent, plus the formulas and goals behind the numbers.
The Comprehensive A1C Chart (4.0% to 14.0%)
The table below shows every A1C percentage in 0.1-point increments with its corresponding estimated average glucose and standard classification. Use it to interpret a lab result at a glance.
| A1C (%) | eAG (mg/dL) | eAG (mmol/L) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 68 | 3.8 | Low-normal |
| 4.5 | 82 | 4.6 | Normal |
| 5.0 | 97 | 5.4 | Normal |
| 5.1 | 100 | 5.5 | Normal |
| 5.2 | 103 | 5.7 | Normal |
| 5.3 | 105 | 5.8 | Normal |
| 5.4 | 108 | 6.0 | Normal |
| 5.5 | 111 | 6.2 | Normal (upper) |
| 5.6 | 114 | 6.3 | Normal (upper) |
| 5.7 | 117 | 6.5 | Prediabetes (early) |
| 5.8 | 120 | 6.7 | Prediabetes |
| 5.9 | 123 | 6.8 | Prediabetes |
| 6.0 | 126 | 7.0 | Prediabetes |
| 6.1 | 128 | 7.1 | Prediabetes |
| 6.2 | 131 | 7.3 | Prediabetes |
| 6.3 | 134 | 7.4 | Prediabetes (high) |
| 6.4 | 137 | 7.6 | Prediabetes (high) |
| 6.5 | 140 | 7.8 | Diabetes |
| 6.6 | 143 | 7.9 | Diabetes |
| 6.7 | 146 | 8.1 | Diabetes |
| 6.8 | 148 | 8.2 | Diabetes |
| 6.9 | 151 | 8.4 | Diabetes |
| 7.0 | 154 | 8.6 | Diabetes (ADA target) |
| 7.5 | 169 | 9.4 | Diabetes (above target) |
| 8.0 | 183 | 10.2 | Diabetes (uncontrolled) |
| 8.5 | 197 | 11.0 | Diabetes (uncontrolled) |
| 9.0 | 212 | 11.8 | Diabetes (poorly controlled) |
| 9.5 | 226 | 12.6 | Diabetes (poorly controlled) |
| 10.0 | 240 | 13.4 | Diabetes (poorly controlled) |
| 11.0 | 269 | 14.9 | Diabetes (severe) |
| 12.0 | 298 | 16.5 | Diabetes (severe) |
| 13.0 | 326 | 18.1 | Diabetes (severe) |
| 14.0 | 355 | 19.7 | Diabetes (critical) |
How to Read Your Lab Results
A1C is reported as a percentage on your lab report, usually labeled “HbA1c,” “Hemoglobin A1C,” or “Glycated Hemoglobin.” Some labs also print the eAG value alongside. Three rules to remember:
- One test can diagnose prediabetes. A single A1C between 5.7 and 6.4 is sufficient.
- Diabetes usually requires two confirmations. Per the American Diabetes Association, a diabetes diagnosis is confirmed by two elevated tests (either two A1Cs, or one A1C plus a fasting glucose).
- Trend matters more than a single point. A reading of 6.0 that dropped from 6.3 is better news than 6.0 that rose from 5.7.
The A1C-to-eAG Conversion Formulas
The formulas below come from the ADAG (A1C-Derived Average Glucose) study published in Diabetes Care:
- eAG (mg/dL) = 28.7 × A1C − 46.7
- eAG (mmol/L) = 1.59 × A1C − 2.59
Example: for an A1C of 6.5, eAG = (28.7 × 6.5) − 46.7 = 186.55 − 46.7 = 140 mg/dL.
You can also convert mg/dL to mmol/L by dividing by 18, and mmol/L to mg/dL by multiplying by 18.
A1C Goals for Different Groups
A single target does not fit every person. A1C goals should be individualized based on age, duration of disease, other health conditions, and risk of hypoglycemia.
| Group | Typical A1C Goal | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Non-diabetic adults | Below 5.7% | Normal range |
| Adults with prediabetes | Below 5.7% | Return to normal |
| Most adults with type 2 diabetes | Below 7.0% | Balance benefit and hypoglycemia risk |
| Newly diagnosed, younger adults | Below 6.5% | Long life expectancy, low hypoglycemia risk |
| Children and adolescents with T1D | Below 7.0 – 7.5% | ADA 2024 Standards of Care |
| Older adults, healthy | Below 7.0 – 7.5% | Lower hypoglycemia tolerance |
| Older adults, multiple comorbidities | Below 8.0% | Reduce hypoglycemia harm |
| Frail elderly / limited life expectancy | Below 8.5% | Quality-of-life focus |
| Pregnancy (pre-existing diabetes) | Below 6.0 – 6.5% | Reduce fetal complications |
| Gestational diabetes | Below 6.0% | Plus strict fasting/post-meal targets |
A1C Goals for Children
Pediatric endocrinologists generally recommend an A1C under 7.0 percent for children and teens with type 1 diabetes, reflecting the ADA’s 2024 Standards of Care. For children with type 2 diabetes, targets may be stricter (under 6.5 percent) because their disease course is typically more aggressive than in adults.
A1C Goals in Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes the rules. A1C falls slightly due to faster red blood cell turnover, so a reading of 5.9 in pregnancy may correspond to a higher average glucose than it would in a non-pregnant adult. Most obstetric guidelines target an A1C under 6.0 to 6.5 percent, combined with self-monitored fasting glucose under 95 mg/dL and one-hour post-meal under 140 mg/dL.
A1C Goals for Older Adults
Loosening A1C targets in older adults is not laziness — it is harm reduction. Severe hypoglycemia in elderly patients is associated with falls, cardiac events, and cognitive decline. A goal of under 8.0 or even 8.5 percent may be safer than a strict 7.0 for someone with dementia or limited life expectancy.
Factors That Can Skew Your A1C
A1C is not perfect. The following conditions can make the result unreliably high or low:
- Anemia (iron-deficient or hemolytic) — often lowers A1C
- Chronic kidney disease — variable effects
- Recent blood transfusion or blood loss — lowers A1C
- Hemoglobin variants (sickle cell trait, thalassemia) — can falsely raise or lower results depending on the assay
- Pregnancy — lowers A1C due to red blood cell turnover
- High-dose vitamin C or E supplementation — can interfere with some assays
If your A1C does not match your home glucose readings, ask your doctor about a fructosamine test or continuous glucose monitoring. Learn more on the A1C levels hub.
How Often to Retest
| Your Current A1C | Retest Interval |
|---|---|
| Below 5.7% (normal) | Every 3 years if no risk factors, annually if risk factors present |
| 5.7 – 6.4% (prediabetes) | Every 6 months |
| 6.5% or higher (diabetes) | Every 3 months if changing treatment, every 6 months if stable |
What to Do If Your A1C Is in the Prediabetes Range
The good news: prediabetes is reversible for most people. A combination of 5 to 7 percent weight loss, 150 minutes of weekly exercise, and a whole-food diet cuts progression to type 2 diabetes by 58 percent according to the Diabetes Prevention Program. Read our full guide on whether prediabetes is reversible and our overview of prediabetes treatment options.
The Bottom Line
The A1C chart is the single most useful reference tool for understanding your blood sugar over time. Normal is below 5.7, prediabetes is 5.7 to 6.4, and diabetes is 6.5 or higher. But your target depends on who you are: a healthy 35-year-old and a frail 85-year-old should not be chasing the same number. Bookmark this chart, bring the table to your next physician visit, and use it to track whether your A1C is moving in the right direction.
