How to use this tool
- Choose the range set: adult male, adult female or pregnancy.
- Type each value from your report and pick the unit your lab uses, for example /cumm or ×10⁹/L.
- Change the low and high limits to the range printed on your report, then read which values are within, above or below it.
What a CBC measures
A complete blood count looks at the three kinds of cells in your blood. Red cells carry oxygen, and the report describes them with haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit and the red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW). White cells fight infection, and the differential splits them into neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Platelets help blood to clot.
Typical adult reference ranges
| Test | Men | Women | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 13.0–17.0 | 12.0–15.5 | g/dL |
| Red cell count | 4.5–5.9 | 4.0–5.2 | ×10¹²/L |
| Haematocrit | 40–50 | 36–46 | % |
| MCV | 80–100 | fL | |
| White cells | 4.0–11.0 | ×10⁹/L | |
| Platelets | 150–450 | ×10⁹/L | |
These are typical figures from general references. Ranges differ between labs because of the analyser, the method and the local population, so the range printed on your own report always takes priority.
Reading units on South Asian and UK reports
Many labs in Pakistan and India report white cells and platelets per cubic millimetre (/cumm), for example a white count of 7,500/cumm or platelets of 2.5 lakh/cumm. UK and European labs use ×10⁹/L, so the same results read 7.5 and 250. The explainer converts these for you when you pick the unit.
Why one result outside the range is common
A reference range covers the middle 95% of healthy people, so roughly 1 in 20 healthy people sit just outside it on any one test. A CBC has more than a dozen results, which makes at least one small flag likely. Doctors look at how far a value is from the range, whether several results point the same way and how you feel.
What this tool does not do
It compares each number with the range you choose and shows general information about common causes. It does not diagnose, rank possible illnesses or suggest treatment. Talk to your doctor about any result that worries you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the normal range for a CBC?
Typical adult ranges are haemoglobin 13.0–17.0 g/dL for men and 12.0–15.5 g/dL for women, white cells 4.0–11.0 ×10⁹/L and platelets 150–450 ×10⁹/L. Your lab's printed range takes priority.
Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
No. The values you type stay in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
What does /cumm mean on my report?
Per cubic millimetre, the same as per microlitre. Divide by 1,000 to get ×10⁹/L, so 7,500/cumm is 7.5 ×10⁹/L.
Should I worry if one value is slightly out of range?
Often not. About 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside a range. Ask your doctor to review it with your symptoms.
Sources and references
- MedlinePlus: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- MedlinePlus: Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices
- WHO: Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia (2024)
- Lab Tests Online UK: Full Blood Count