What Is a Normal A1C? Ranges, Goals and What Your Number Means

Got your A1C result back and not sure what the number means? So what is a normal A1C? Normal A1C levels are below 5.7%. Here’s what the other ranges mean, what a good goal looks like if you have diabetes, and how to turn your A1C into an average blood sugar you can compare with your meter.

Normal A1C Levels and Ranges at a Glance

A1C result	What it means
Below 5.7%	Normal
5.7% to 6.4%	Prediabetes
6.5% or above	Diabetes

Source: NIDDK. Any test used to diagnose diabetes needs to be confirmed with a second measurement, unless there are clear symptoms.

What the A1C Test Measures

Glucose in your blood sticks to hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. The more glucose in your blood, the more attaches. The A1C test measures how much of your hemoglobin has glucose attached, reported as a percentage.

That gives a picture of your average blood sugar over roughly the past 3 months, rather than a single moment. Recent weeks count most: NIDDK notes that blood sugar in the past 30 days has a bigger effect on your A1C than earlier months.

You don’t need to fast before an A1C test, so blood can be drawn at any time of day.

What Is a Good A1C Level If You Have Diabetes?

There isn’t one number for everyone. NIDDK says studies show some people with diabetes can lower their risk of complications by keeping their A1C below 7%. But a level that’s safe for one person may not be safe for another. Pushing below 7% may not be safe if it causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

A less strict goal, an A1C between 7% and 8% or sometimes higher, may be appropriate for people who have:

• Limited life expectancy
• Long-standing diabetes and trouble reaching a lower goal
• Severe hypoglycemia, or trouble sensing when their blood sugar is low
• Advanced complications such as chronic kidney disease, nerve problems or heart disease

Your target should be set with your health care team, based on your history and overall health.

A1C Conversion Chart: A1C to Estimated Average Glucose

Many labs also report your estimated average glucose (eAG). It converts your A1C into the same units your home meter uses. The formula comes from the A1C-Derived Average Glucose (ADAG) study and is published by the NGSP: eAG (mg/dL) = 28.7 × A1C − 46.7.

A1C	Estimated average glucose (mg/dL)	Estimated average glucose (mmol/L)	Range
5.0%	97 mg/dL	5.4 mmol/L	Normal
5.5%	111 mg/dL	6.2 mmol/L	Normal
5.7%	117 mg/dL	6.5 mmol/L	Prediabetes range
6.0%	126 mg/dL	7.0 mmol/L	Prediabetes range
6.4%	137 mg/dL	7.6 mmol/L	Prediabetes range
6.5%	140 mg/dL	7.8 mmol/L	Diabetes range
7.0%	154 mg/dL	8.6 mmol/L	Diabetes range
7.5%	169 mg/dL	9.4 mmol/L	Diabetes range
8.0%	183 mg/dL	10.2 mmol/L	Diabetes range
9.0%	212 mg/dL	11.8 mmol/L	Diabetes range
10.0%	240 mg/dL	13.4 mmol/L	Diabetes range
11.0%	269 mg/dL	14.9 mmol/L	Diabetes range
12.0%	298 mg/dL	16.5 mmol/L	Diabetes range

Your eAG won’t match any single meter reading, because it’s a long-term average rather than your blood sugar at one moment.

What Does an A1C of 5.7% or 6.0% Mean?

Both are in the prediabetes range. Prediabetes raises your risk of type 2 diabetes, and NIDDK notes that within the 5.7% to 6.4% range, the higher your A1C, the greater that risk.

The encouraging part is that you may be able to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes such as losing weight or being physically active most days of the week. Something as simple as regular brisk walking counts. Small food and drink swaps help too: even unsweetened drinks can carry natural sugars, as our look at whether tomato juice is good for you explains. Ask your doctor what plan and follow-up testing make sense for you.

What Can Make Your A1C Result Inaccurate?

A1C is less affected by short-term swings than a fasting glucose test, but some conditions can make it misleading. According to NIDDK, these include:

• Conditions that change how long red blood cells live, such as recent blood loss, sickle cell disease, erythropoietin treatment, hemodialysis or a blood transfusion
• Very low iron, such as iron-deficiency anemia, which can cause a falsely high result
• Kidney failure or liver disease
• Hemoglobin variants, which are more common in people of African, Mediterranean or Southeast Asian descent. Many people with a variant don’t know they have one.

Results can also vary a little between tests. An A1C reported as 6.8% could come back anywhere from 6.4% to 7.2% if the same sample were tested again. Diagnosis should use a lab test from a vein, not a quick test done in a doctor’s office. The A1C test also shouldn’t be used to diagnose type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes.

If your A1C and your blood sugar readings don’t seem to match, tell your doctor. They may use a different test.

How Often Should You Get an A1C Test?

Situation	How often
You have diabetes	At least twice a year, and more often if you aren’t meeting your treatment goals
You have risk factors for prediabetes or diabetes	Ask your doctor whether and when you should be tested
You had gestational diabetes	A diabetes test no later than 12 weeks after the baby is born, then every 3 years even if it’s normal

Source: NIDDK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal A1C for someone without diabetes?

Below 5.7%. Results from 5.7% to 6.4% are in the prediabetes range.

Is an A1C of 5.7% bad?

It’s the start of the prediabetes range, which means a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. It’s a warning sign rather than a diagnosis of diabetes, and lifestyle changes such as weight loss and regular activity may help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

What is a good A1C if I have diabetes?

Many people aim for below 7%, but the right goal depends on your health, and a less strict target of 7% to 8% or higher can be safer for some people. Agree on your target with your health care team.

Do I need to fast for an A1C test?

No. You can have an A1C test at any time of day without fasting.

How do I convert A1C to average blood sugar?

Use eAG (mg/dL) = 28.7 × A1C − 46.7. For example, an A1C of 7% equals an estimated average glucose of about 154 mg/dL.

Can an A1C test be wrong?

Yes. Anemia, recent blood loss or transfusion, kidney or liver disease, and hemoglobin variants can make the result falsely high or low. If your A1C doesn’t match your other readings, ask your doctor about another test.

The Bottom Line

A normal A1C is below 5.7%, prediabetes is 5.7% to 6.4%, and diabetes is 6.5% or above, confirmed with a second test. If you have diabetes, many people aim for below 7%, but your goal should be set with your care team. Use the conversion chart to connect your A1C with your everyday readings, and ask your doctor if your numbers don’t seem to add up.

Sources

• The A1C Test & Diabetes, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
• HbA1c and Estimated Average Glucose (eAG), NGSP (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program), citing the ADAG study, Diabetes Care 2008

Sources accessed September 30, 2026. This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your doctor.