Ketone conversion: blood ketones (beta-hydroxybutyrate) in mg/dL ÷ 10.41 = mmol/L, and mmol/L × 10.41 = mg/dL. So 1 mmol/L = 10.41 mg/dL, 1.5 mmol/L = 15.6 mg/dL and 50 mg/dL = 4.80 mmol/L. Home blood ketone meters read in mmol/L.
Ketones (e.g. β-hydroxybutyrate) Calculator
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Ketone Conversion Factor (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate)
Blood ketone tests measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, β-hydroxybutyrate), molar mass 104.10 g/mol.
| Convert blood ketones | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mg/dL to mmol/L | mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 10.41 (or × 0.096) | 20 mg/dL = 1.92 mmol/L |
| mmol/L to mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 10.41 | 3.0 mmol/L = 31.2 mg/dL |
Blood Ketone Levels Chart: mmol/L to mg/dL
Use this ketone chart to convert readings and see what they generally mean. The meaning column is a general guide for blood beta-hydroxybutyrate; follow the targets from your own care team.
| Blood ketones (mmol/L) | Blood ketones (mg/dL) | Meaning (general guide) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mmol/L | 1.0 mg/dL | Normal |
| 0.2 mmol/L | 2.1 mg/dL | Normal |
| 0.3 mmol/L | 3.1 mg/dL | Normal |
| 0.5 mmol/L | 5.2 mg/dL | Normal |
| 0.6 mmol/L | 6.2 mg/dL | Mildly raised / nutritional ketosis |
| 0.8 mmol/L | 8.3 mg/dL | Mildly raised / nutritional ketosis |
| 1.0 mmol/L | 10.4 mg/dL | Mildly raised / nutritional ketosis |
| 1.5 mmol/L | 15.6 mg/dL | High: in diabetes, risk of DKA |
| 2.0 mmol/L | 20.8 mg/dL | High: in diabetes, risk of DKA |
| 2.5 mmol/L | 26.0 mg/dL | High: in diabetes, risk of DKA |
| 3.0 mmol/L | 31.2 mg/dL | High: in diabetes, risk of DKA |
| 3.5 mmol/L | 36.4 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
| 4.0 mmol/L | 41.6 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
| 4.8 mmol/L | 50.0 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
| 5.0 mmol/L | 52.1 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
| 6.0 mmol/L | 62.5 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
| 8.0 mmol/L | 83.3 mg/dL | Very high: in diabetes, seek urgent care |
Ketones mg/dL to mmol/L Chart
To convert beta-hydroxybutyrate from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 10.41. For example, 1.8 mg/dL = 0.17 mmol/L and 50 mg/dL = 4.80 mmol/L. For the reverse direction, use the ketones mmol/L to mg/dL converter.
| Blood ketones (mg/dL) | Blood ketones (mmol/L) |
|---|---|
| 1 mg/dL | 0.10 mmol/L |
| 1.8 mg/dL | 0.17 mmol/L |
| 2 mg/dL | 0.19 mmol/L |
| 5 mg/dL | 0.48 mmol/L |
| 10 mg/dL | 0.96 mmol/L |
| 15 mg/dL | 1.44 mmol/L |
| 20 mg/dL | 1.92 mmol/L |
| 30 mg/dL | 2.88 mmol/L |
| 40 mg/dL | 3.84 mmol/L |
| 50 mg/dL | 4.80 mmol/L |
| 60 mg/dL | 5.76 mmol/L |
| 80 mg/dL | 7.68 mmol/L |
| 100 mg/dL | 9.61 mmol/L |
Normal Ketone Levels in Blood (mmol/L and mg/dL)
| Blood ketone level | mmol/L | mg/dL |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | below 0.6 | below 6.2 |
| Mild ketosis (fasting, low-carb or keto diet) | 0.6 – 1.5 | 6.2 – 15.6 |
| Nutritional ketosis range often targeted on keto diets | 0.5 – 3.0 | 5.2 – 31.2 |
| High: in diabetes, risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) | 1.5 – 3.0 | 15.6 – 31.2 |
| Very high: in diabetes, DKA likely | above 3.0 | above 31.2 |
If you have diabetes and your blood ketones are 1.5 mmol/L or higher, especially with high blood sugar, vomiting or abdominal pain, follow your sick-day plan and contact your care team; above 3.0 mmol/L, seek urgent medical help. Readings of 0.1–0.3 mmol/L are normal.
Urine Ketone Strips: mg/dL Values Explained
Urine ketone strips measure a different ketone (acetoacetate) and show results in mg/dL or as + signs. These values cannot be converted directly into a blood ketone reading, but this table shows the usual strip colours and their mmol/L equivalents for acetoacetate in urine.
| Urine strip result | Acetoacetate (mg/dL) | Acetoacetate (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | 0 | 0 |
| Trace | 5 | 0.5 |
| Small (+) | 15 | 1.5 |
| Moderate (++) | 40 | 3.9 |
| Large (+++) | 80 | 7.8 |
| Large (++++) | 160 | 15.7 |
A ketone reading of 15, 40 or 80 mg/dL almost always comes from a urine strip. If you need an accurate number, a blood ketone meter (in mmol/L) is more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert ketones mg/dL to mmol/L?
Divide by 10.41. For example, 30 mg/dL ÷ 10.41 = 2.88 mmol/L.
1 mmol/L of beta-hydroxybutyrate equals how many mg/dL?
1 mmol/L = 10.41 mg/dL.
What is 1.5 mmol/L ketones in mg/dL?
1.5 mmol/L = 15.6 mg/dL, the level at which people with diabetes are usually advised to act.
What is 3.0 mmol/L ketones in mg/dL?
3.0 mmol/L = 31.2 mg/dL, a very high level in someone with diabetes.
What is 4.8 mmol/L in mg/dL?
For blood ketones, 4.8 mmol/L = 50.0 mg/dL, which is very high. If 4.8 mmol/L is a blood sugar reading, it is 86.4 mg/dL (normal); use the glucose converter for sugar.
What is 50 mg/dL ketones in mmol/L?
50 mg/dL ÷ 10.41 = 4.80 mmol/L.
Are 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mmol/L ketones normal?
Yes. Blood ketones below 0.6 mmol/L (6.2 mg/dL) are normal.
What ketone level means ketosis?
Nutritional ketosis is usually defined as about 0.5–3.0 mmol/L (5–31 mg/dL) in people without diabetes.
Related: glucose mg/dL to mmol/L and all blood sugar conversions. In German, the same factors apply to any Ketone Tabelle mg/dl in mmol/l.