For most adults without diabetes, a normal fasting blood sugar is 70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L) and a normal reading two hours after a meal is below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). Prediabetes begins at a fasting level of 100 mg/dL, and diabetes is diagnosed at a fasting level of 126 mg/dL or higher. This guide gives you a clear, scannable blood sugar levels chart for every test and life stage — in both units — alongside an Ayurvedic perspective on Madhumeha.

Key Takeaways

Three zones to memorise (fasting): Normal is 70–99 mg/dL, prediabetes is 100–125 mg/dL, and diabetes is 126 mg/dL or higher (confirmed on two tests).
Post-meal matters too: Under 140 mg/dL at 2 hours is normal; 140–199 is prediabetes; 200 or above is diabetes.
HbA1c gives the big picture: Below 5.7% is normal, 5.7–6.4% is prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher is diabetes.
Targets differ once you have diabetes. The ADA suggests 80–130 mg/dL before meals and under 180 mg/dL after meals for many adults.
India carries a heavy burden. The IDF Diabetes Atlas (2025 edition) estimates about 89.8 million Indian adults live with diabetes, and South Asians often develop it at lower BMI levels.
Ayurveda calls diabetes Madhumeha, framing it as a Kapha–Vata imbalance with weakened Agni, managed with diet, herbs and lifestyle as a complement to medical care.
Numbers are not a diagnosis. Always confirm your readings and personal targets with your doctor.

Understanding Blood Sugar: What the Numbers Mean
The Master Blood Sugar Levels Chart
Blood Sugar Levels Chart by Age
Blood Sugar Targets for People With Diabetes
HbA1c Chart and eAG Conversion
Blood Sugar During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes
Time in Range: The Modern CGM Metric
Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels and When to Get Help
Factors That Shift Your Personal Range
India and Blood Sugar: A Context Worth Knowing
What Ayurveda Says About Blood Sugar (Madhumeha)
How to Move Your Numbers in the Right Direction
A Simple Self-Check Checklist
Myths vs Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Medical Disclaimer

Understanding Blood Sugar: What the Numbers Mean

Blood sugar (blood glucose) is the amount of sugar circulating in your bloodstream, measured in mg/dL (used in India and the US) or mmol/L (used in the UK, Australia and much of Europe). Your reading depends heavily on when it was taken — fasting, after a meal, or at a random moment — so the same person can show very different numbers within a single day.

The four tests behind every chart

Different tests answer different questions. Knowing which one produced your result is the first step to reading any blood glucose levels chart correctly.

Test	When it's taken	What it measures	Diabetes threshold
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)	After 8+ hours without food	Baseline glucose	≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)
Postprandial (2-hour)	2 hours after eating	How well you clear a meal	≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
Random plasma glucose	Any time, any state	Snapshot reading	≥200 mg/dL with symptoms
OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test)	2 hours after a 75g glucose drink	Glucose handling under load	≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
HbA1c (A1C)	Any time, no fasting	Average of last ~2–3 months	≥6.5%

A fasting test is the most common starting point. An OGTT is more sensitive and often used in pregnancy. HbA1c reflects long-term control because it measures how much glucose has attached to your red blood cells over their lifespan. Thresholds here follow American Diabetes Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria.

How to read mg/dL and mmol/L

To convert mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 18. To go the other way, multiply by 18. So 100 mg/dL equals roughly 5.6 mmol/L. Every chart below shows both units so you never have to do the maths on a lab slip.

The Master Blood Sugar Levels Chart

This is the core reference. It shows the normal, prediabetes and diabetes ranges across the main tests, in both units, for non-pregnant adults.

Test	Normal	Prediabetes	Diabetes
Fasting	70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L)	100–125 mg/dL (5.6–6.9 mmol/L)	≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0 mmol/L)
2-hour post-meal / OGTT	<140 mg/dL (<7.8 mmol/L)	140–199 mg/dL (7.8–11.0 mmol/L)	≥200 mg/dL (≥11.1 mmol/L)
HbA1c	Below 5.7%	5.7–6.4%	6.5% or higher
Random (with symptoms)	—	—	≥200 mg/dL (≥11.1 mmol/L)

Normal blood sugar levels

A normal fasting result sits between 70 and 99 mg/dL. After eating, a healthy body keeps the 2-hour reading under 140 mg/dL and an HbA1c below 5.7%. These are the levels a body without insulin resistance maintains automatically.

Prediabetes: the warning zone

Prediabetes means your numbers are higher than normal but not yet diabetic — fasting 100–125 mg/dL, 2-hour 140–199 mg/dL, or HbA1c 5.7–6.4%. It is a signal, not a sentence. Research summarised by NIH StatPearls notes that roughly 70% of people with prediabetes eventually progress to type 2 diabetes, yet most are unaware they have it — which is exactly why catching it early is powerful.

Diabetes: diagnostic thresholds

Diabetes is generally diagnosed when fasting glucose is 126 mg/dL or higher (on two separate occasions), the 2-hour OGTT is 200 mg/dL or higher, HbA1c is 6.5% or higher, or a random reading hits 200 mg/dL alongside classic symptoms. A single high reading is not enough — diagnosis needs confirmation.

Blood Sugar Levels Chart by Age

Healthy fasting ranges are broadly similar across ages, but targets loosen for some older adults and tighten in childhood. The chart below shows commonly used reference ranges for people without diabetes.

Age group	Normal fasting	Normal 2-hour post-meal
Children (6–12 yrs)	70–100 mg/dL	<140 mg/dL
Teens (13–19 yrs)	70–100 mg/dL	<140 mg/dL
Adults (20–64 yrs)	70–99 mg/dL	<140 mg/dL
Seniors (65+ yrs)	70–99 mg/dL*	<140 mg/dL

\For healthy seniors without diabetes, normal ranges are the same. However, for an older adult who has diabetes*, doctors often set gentler targets (for example a slightly higher HbA1c) to reduce the risk of dangerous lows. Always individualise senior targets with a clinician.

Blood Sugar Targets for People With Diabetes

Once diabetes is diagnosed, the goal shifts from "is this normal?" to "is this well controlled?" The ADA's general targets for many non-pregnant adults with diabetes are:

Before meals (preprandial): 80–130 mg/dL (4.4–7.2 mmol/L)
Peak after meals (1–2 hours): below 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)
HbA1c: below 7% for most adults

These are starting points, not universal rules. Your doctor may set a higher or lower goal based on your age, how long you've had diabetes, other conditions, and your risk of hypoglycemia. A young, otherwise-healthy person may aim tighter; a frail older adult may aim looser. See related: understanding insulin resistance for the mechanism behind these numbers.

HbA1c Chart and eAG Conversion

HbA1c is reported as a percentage, which is hard to picture day-to-day. The estimated average glucose (eAG) converts that percentage into the kind of number you see on a glucometer.

HbA1c	Estimated average glucose (eAG)	Category
5.0%	~97 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L)	Normal
5.7%	~117 mg/dL (6.5 mmol/L)	Prediabetes starts
6.5%	~140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)	Diabetes starts
7.0%	~154 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)	Common target ceiling
8.0%	~183 mg/dL (10.2 mmol/L)	Above target
9.0%	~212 mg/dL (11.8 mmol/L)	High
10.0%	~240 mg/dL (13.4 mmol/L)	Very high

So an HbA1c of 7.0% means your blood sugar has averaged about 154 mg/dL across the past two to three months. This is why two people with the same A1C can feel differently — A1C is an average and hides the highs and lows.

Blood Sugar During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy demands tighter control because high maternal glucose affects the baby. Gestational diabetes is screened with an OGTT, and the thresholds are lower than for non-pregnant adults.

Gestational diabetes diagnostic thresholds (IADPSG)

Time point	A value at or above this suggests gestational diabetes
Fasting	92 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L)
1 hour after 75g glucose	180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)
2 hours after 75g glucose	153 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L)

A single value at or above any of these points is enough for diagnosis under IADPSG criteria. Indian and other South Asian women are an at-risk group, which is one reason many Indian obstetric protocols screen broadly. If you are pregnant, follow the testing schedule your obstetrician sets rather than self-interpreting a single reading. See related: gestational diabetes diet.

Time in Range: The Modern CGM Metric

If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you'll see a metric beyond A1C called Time in Range (TIR) — the percentage of the day your glucose stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL.

The ADA and an international expert consensus recommend that most adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes aim to spend more than 70% of the day in that 70–180 mg/dL range, while keeping time below 70 mg/dL to a minimum. TIR is useful because it captures the swings that an A1C average can hide. A person can have a "good" A1C while still spiking high and crashing low — TIR exposes that pattern.

Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels and When to Get Help

Some readings are emergencies. Use this as a quick triage guide, not a substitute for medical advice.

Reading	What it means	Action
Below 54 mg/dL	Severe (Level 3) hypoglycemia	Treat fast-acting sugar immediately; may need third-party help
Below 70 mg/dL	Hypoglycemia	Eat 15g fast carbs, recheck in 15 minutes
Above 250 mg/dL with ketones/illness	Risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)	Contact your doctor urgently
Above 400 mg/dL	Hyperglycemic crisis risk	Seek emergency care

Go to emergency care if you have very high sugar with vomiting, deep or rapid breathing, fruity-smelling breath, confusion, or fainting — these can signal DKA or a hyperosmolar crisis. For severe lows, signs include shaking, sweating, confusion, slurred speech or loss of consciousness.

Factors That Shift Your Personal Range

Your "normal" can move for reasons that have nothing to do with diabetes. Common influences include:

Stress: Cortisol and adrenaline raise glucose, so a stressful day can lift readings.
Poor sleep: Even one short night can worsen insulin sensitivity the next day.
Illness and infection: The body releases glucose to fight illness, pushing numbers up.
Medications: Steroids and some beta-blockers can raise glucose; the latter can also mask low-sugar symptoms.
Exercise: Activity usually lowers glucose, but intense exertion can briefly raise it.
Meal timing and composition: Refined carbs spike sugar faster than fibre, protein and fat.
The dawn phenomenon: A natural early-morning hormone surge can raise fasting numbers.

This is why one odd reading rarely tells the whole story. Patterns over days matter more than a single number.

India and Blood Sugar: A Context Worth Knowing

India's relationship with blood sugar is distinctive. The IDF Diabetes Atlas (2025 edition) estimates about 89.8 million Indian adults were living with diabetes in 2024 — roughly a tenth of the adult population — placing India second only to China. The landmark ICMR-INDIAB study, conducted across multiple states, found diabetes prevalence of about 7.3% and prediabetes of around 10.3% by WHO criteria (higher under ADA criteria).

Two factors make this especially relevant when reading any chart:

South Asians develop diabetes at lower BMI thresholds than many Western populations, often carrying more visceral (abdominal) fat at a given weight. A "normal-looking" body weight does not rule out metabolic risk.
Carbohydrate-heavy diets. ICMR-INDIAB data indicate Indians derive a large share of daily calories — in the region of 65–75% — from carbohydrates, which can strain blood sugar control.

The practical takeaway: an Indian reader at the upper end of "normal" may benefit from acting earlier rather than waiting to cross a threshold. See related: foods to lower blood sugar.

What Ayurveda Says About Blood Sugar (Madhumeha)

Ayurveda, the classical Indian system of medicine, described diabetes-like illness thousands of years ago. It is worth reading these ideas as a complementary framework, not as a replacement for blood tests or prescribed treatment.

Madhumeha in the classical texts

The Charaka Samhita and other classical texts describe Madhumeha ("honey-like urine"), a form of Prameha marked by sweet, excessive urine and progressive tissue depletion (Dhatu kshaya). Long before laboratory glucose tests existed, physicians recognised the syndrome by its symptoms.

Doshas and Agni

Ayurveda frames Madhumeha largely as a Kapha–Vata imbalance with weakened Agni (digestive and metabolic fire). When Agni falters, nutrients are improperly metabolised, ama (metabolic residue) accumulates, and the sweet quality builds in the body. This maps loosely onto modern ideas of impaired carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance — though the systems use different language and should not be equated literally.

Herbs traditionally used to support blood sugar balance

Several herbs appear repeatedly in classical and modern Ayurvedic practice. These may support healthy blood sugar as part of a wider plan; they are not cures and can interact with medication.

Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre): Traditionally called the "sugar destroyer"; studied for its potential to support glucose metabolism.
Karela (bitter gourd): Used as a food and juice; may have a glucose-lowering effect that can add to that of medicines.
Methi (fenugreek): High-fibre seeds traditionally soaked overnight; among the better-studied herbs for blood sugar support.
Amalaki (amla) and Triphala: Valued for digestion and antioxidant support.
Turmeric (curcumin): Used widely for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Because herbs such as karela and fenugreek may lower glucose, combining them with prescription medication can risk hypoglycemia. Always tell your doctor what you are taking. See related: Ayurvedic herbs for Madhumeha.

Lifestyle and Panchakarma

Classical management also emphasises daily routine, movement, a Kapha-pacifying diet (less sweet, heavy and oily food), and in some cases supervised Panchakarma cleansing under a qualified Ayurvedic physician (BAMS). These align well with the lifestyle changes mainstream medicine recommends.

How to Move Your Numbers in the Right Direction

Whether you're in the prediabetes zone or managing diabetes, the evidence-backed levers are consistent. The Diabetes Prevention Program and similar research show that structured lifestyle change can meaningfully reduce progression from prediabetes to diabetes.

Choose low-glycemic carbs. Favour whole grains, millets, legumes and vegetables over refined flour, sugar and white rice.
Mind the meal order. Eating vegetables and protein before carbohydrates can blunt the post-meal spike.
Move daily. A brisk walk after meals helps muscles soak up glucose; aim for regular activity through the week.
Protect sleep and manage stress. Both directly affect insulin sensitivity.
Stay consistent, not perfect. Steady habits beat occasional extremes.
Know when to see a doctor. Persistent high readings, frequent lows, or any emergency-range number warrant prompt medical input.

A Simple Self-Check Checklist

Use this to interpret your own slip and decide on next steps:

☐ I know which test produced my number (fasting, post-meal, random, OGTT or HbA1c).
☐ I've matched it to the correct column (normal / prediabetes / diabetes) in the master chart.
☐ I've checked whether special targets apply to me (pregnancy, senior with diabetes, child).
☐ My reading was taken under typical conditions (not during illness, extreme stress or after unusual exertion).
☐ If borderline or high, I plan to confirm with a second test rather than acting on one number.
☐ I have booked or scheduled a doctor's review if any reading is in the prediabetes or diabetes range.
☐ I've noted any emergency-range number and the action it requires.

Myths vs Facts

Myth	Fact
"One high reading means I have diabetes."	Diagnosis needs confirmation, usually on two separate tests or different test types.
"If I feel fine, my sugar must be normal."	Prediabetes and early diabetes are often symptom-free; most people are unaware until tested.
"A good HbA1c means perfect control all day."	A1C is an average; it can hide damaging highs and lows that Time in Range reveals.
"Only overweight people get diabetes."	South Asians often develop diabetes at lower BMI, with risk driven by abdominal fat and genetics.
"Ayurvedic herbs can replace my diabetes medicine."	Herbs may support blood sugar but are not a substitute; stopping medication can be dangerous.
"Prediabetes always becomes diabetes."	Around 70% progress, but lifestyle change can slow or prevent it in many people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal blood sugar level by age?

For people without diabetes, normal fasting blood sugar is broadly 70–99 mg/dL for adults and about 70–100 mg/dL for children and teens, with a 2-hour post-meal value under 140 mg/dL across ages. Healthy seniors share the adult range, but older adults with diabetes are often given gentler targets to avoid dangerous lows. Confirm your individual targets with a doctor.

What blood sugar level is considered diabetic?

Diabetes is generally diagnosed when fasting glucose is 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher, a 2-hour OGTT or post-meal value is 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher, HbA1c is 6.5% or higher, or a random reading reaches 200 mg/dL with classic symptoms. A diagnosis usually requires confirmation on a second occasion, not a single high reading.

My fasting blood sugar is 110 mg/dL — am I diabetic or prediabetic?

A fasting reading of 110 mg/dL falls in the prediabetes range (100–125 mg/dL), not the diabetes range. It's an early warning, not a diagnosis of diabetes. Many people reverse or slow prediabetes with diet, activity, weight management and better sleep. Ask your doctor to confirm with a repeat test and possibly an HbA1c.

How does HbA1c convert to average daily blood sugar (eAG)?

HbA1c converts to an estimated average glucose: roughly, 6% equals about 126 mg/dL, 7% about 154 mg/dL, 8% about 183 mg/dL, and 9% about 212 mg/dL. So an A1C of 7.0% means your blood sugar has averaged near 154 mg/dL over the past two to three months. Remember it's an average and won't show your individual highs and lows.

What is Time in Range (TIR) on a CGM, and what should I aim for?

Time in Range is the percentage of the day your glucose stays between 70 and 180 mg/dL, measured by a continuous glucose monitor. The ADA and international consensus recommend most adults with diabetes aim for more than 70% TIR while minimising time below 70 mg/dL. TIR is valuable because it reveals daily swings that an HbA1c average can mask.

What is the normal blood sugar level in India — is it different from Western ranges?

The numeric ranges are the same worldwide because they follow international (ADA/WHO) criteria. What differs is risk: South Asians, including Indians, tend to develop diabetes at lower body weights and at younger ages, with more abdominal fat at a given BMI. So an Indian reader at the upper end of "normal" may be wise to act earlier rather than waiting to cross a threshold.

What does Ayurveda say about Madhumeha, and which herbs help?

Ayurveda describes diabetes as Madhumeha, a Kapha–Vata imbalance with weakened Agni (metabolic fire), detailed in texts like the Charaka Samhita. Herbs traditionally used to support blood sugar include Gurmar (Gymnema), karela (bitter gourd), methi (fenugreek), amla and turmeric. These may help as part of a wider plan but are not cures, can interact with medicines, and should be used alongside — not instead of — medical care.

Can prediabetes be reversed?

Often, yes. Prediabetes is not permanent, and research such as the Diabetes Prevention Program shows that structured lifestyle change — improved diet, regular activity, modest weight loss and better sleep — can return many people's glucose to normal or significantly delay progression. Because roughly 70% of untreated prediabetes advances to diabetes, acting early gives the best odds.

What blood sugar number should send me to the emergency room?

Seek urgent care if your blood sugar is very high (around 400 mg/dL or above, or above 250 mg/dL with vomiting, rapid breathing, fruity breath or confusion — possible DKA) or dangerously low (below 54 mg/dL, or any low causing seizures, fainting or inability to swallow). When in doubt about a severe reading with symptoms, treat it as an emergency.

What should my blood sugar be during pregnancy?

In pregnancy, targets are tighter. Gestational diabetes is suspected under IADPSG criteria when a 75g glucose test shows fasting at or above 92 mg/dL, 1-hour at or above 180 mg/dL, or 2-hour at or above 153 mg/dL. Normal pregnancy values stay below these. Follow the screening schedule and personal targets your obstetrician sets rather than self-interpreting one reading.

Conclusion

A blood sugar levels chart turns a confusing lab slip into a clear answer: normal, prediabetes or diabetes. The essentials are easy to hold onto — fasting under 100, post-meal under 140, and HbA1c under 5.7% sit in the healthy zone, with diabetes beginning at 126 fasting, 200 post-meal, or 6.5% A1C. Just as important is what surrounds the number: your age, pregnancy, recent illness, and the test that produced it.

If your reading sits in the warning zone, treat it as useful early information rather than a verdict. Simple, steady changes to food, movement, sleep and stress move the needle, and Ayurveda's Madhumeha framework offers complementary lifestyle support. As a next step, take your chart and your results to a qualified clinician to confirm your personal targets and plan.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Blood sugar ranges are general references based on guidance from bodies such as the ADA, WHO and IDF; your personal targets may differ. Do not use this content to self-diagnose, self-treat, or to start, stop or change any medication or herbal supplement. Ayurvedic approaches are presented as complementary and should not replace professional medical care. Always consult a qualified physician or registered Ayurvedic practitioner (BAMS) about your individual situation, and seek emergency care for any reading or symptoms described above as urgent.