Typical reference ranges
| Test | Men | Women | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (Hb) | 13.0–17.0 | 12.0–15.5 | g/dL |
| Red cell count (RBC) | 4.5–5.9 | 4.0–5.2 | ×10¹²/L |
| Hematocrit (HCT/PCV) | 40–50 | 36–46 | % |
| MCV | 80–100 | 80–100 | fL |
| White cells (WBC/TLC) | 4.0–11.0 | 4.0–11.0 | ×10⁹/L |
| Platelets | 150–450 | 150–450 | ×10⁹/L |
Ranges based on: MedlinePlus; Lab Tests Online UK; WHO. Full references are listed at the end of this page.
Use your own lab's range. Reference ranges differ between labs, analysers and methods, and with age, sex and pregnancy. The range printed on your report takes priority over the figures here.
Check your value
Type the Hemoglobin result from your report to see where it sits against the typical ranges on this page. Nothing is sent or saved.
General information only, not a diagnosis. Your lab's printed range takes priority.
Tests in this panel
What the CBC looks at
Your blood contains three kinds of cells, each made in the bone marrow. Red cells carry oxygen using hemoglobin. White cells fight infection, and the differential count splits them into five types. Platelets are cell fragments that help blood clot. A CBC counts each of these and describes the size and hemoglobin content of the red cells.
The parts of your report
- Hemoglobin, RBC and hematocrit show whether you have enough red cells. Low values mean anaemia.
- MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW (the red cell indices) describe the red cells and help find the cause of anaemia.
- Total white count (TLC/WBC) and the differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) point towards infection, allergy or inflammation.
- Platelet count matters for bleeding and clotting, and is watched closely in dengue.
Units on South Asian, UK and US reports
Labs in Pakistan and India often give white cells and platelets per cubic millimetre (/cumm), such as 7,500/cumm or 2.5 lakh/cumm. UK and European labs write the same results as 7.5 ×10⁹/L and 250 ×10⁹/L, and US labs as 7.5 ×10³/µL and 250 ×10³/µL. The numbers mean the same thing.
Preparing for the test
No fasting is needed for a CBC on its own. If other tests such as glucose or cholesterol are taken from the same sample, follow your lab's fasting instructions. Heavy exercise, dehydration and recent illness can shift some values slightly.
Why a small flag is common
Each range covers the middle 95% of healthy people, so about 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside it on any one test. With more than a dozen results on a CBC, one minor flag is common. Doctors look at how far off a value is, whether several values point the same way, and your symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for a CBC?
No. A CBC alone needs no fasting, but follow your lab's advice if other tests are taken at the same time.
What does CP or complete picture mean on a Pakistani report?
It is the same as a CBC: a complete blood picture covering red cells, white cells and platelets.
Can a CBC detect cancer?
A CBC cannot diagnose cancer, but very abnormal counts can prompt further tests such as a blood film or bone marrow study.
How long do CBC results take?
Usually the same day, often within a few hours.
Sources and references
- MedlinePlus: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Lab Tests Online UK: Full Blood Count
- WHO: Guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs to define anaemia (2024)
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS: Haematology reference ranges
- NHLBI: Thrombocytopenia (normal platelet count)