What are normal blood glucose levels?
In Canada, a person who doesn’t have diabetes has normal blood glucose levels between 4.0 mmol/L and 7.0 mmol/L. Normal blood glucose levels vary depending on the time of day, meals, and other factors. The following values are considered normal blood glucose ranges for people with diabetes and non-diabetics.
Time of check | Goal ranges for people without diabetes | Goal ranges for people with diabetes |
Before breakfast (fasting) | < 5.5 mmol/L (<100 mg/dl) | 3.9–7.2 mmol/L (70–130 mg/dl) |
Before lunch, supper and snack | < 6.1 mmol/L (<110 mg/dl) | 3.9–7.2 mmol/L (70–130 mg/dl) |
Two hours after meals | < 7.8 mmol/L (<140 mg/dl) | < 10.0 mmol/L (<180 mg/dl) |
Bedtime | < 6.7 mmol/L (<120 mg/dl) | 5.0–8.3 mmol/L (90- 150 mg/dl) |
A1C (also known as HbA1c) | < 6% | < 7% |
The chart below illustrates how you and your healthcare provider can develop a target range for your glucose levels based on the Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Keep in mind that your target may not be the same as the examples below. Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional to determine your unique targets.
A1C* | Fasting blood glucose (sugar)/ blood sugar before meals (mmol/L) | Blood sugar two hours after eating (mmol/L) | |
Target for most people with diabetes | 7.0% or less | 4.0 to 7.0 | 5.0 to 10.0 (5.0–8.0 if A1C* targets are not being met) |
* A1C is a measurement of your average blood sugar control for the last two to three months, and approximately 50% of the value comes from the last 30 days.
LBL-1000005 Rev004