Bilirubin conversion: most labs report bilirubin in µmol/L (umol/L). Divide µmol/L by 17.1 to get mg/dL, or multiply mg/dL by 17.1 to get µmol/L. From mmol/L, multiply by 58.47 (or by 1,000 and then ÷ 17.1). Example: total bilirubin 28 µmol/L (0.028 mmol/L) = 1.64 mg/dL.
Total Bilirubin Calculator
Conversion settings
Tap µmol/L in the bilirubin converter if your result is in micromoles (a number such as 17 or 28, not 0.017). The same calculator works for total, direct (conjugated) and indirect bilirubin.
Bilirubin Conversion Factor
The bilirubin conversion factor comes from its molar mass, 584.66 g/mol. 1 mg/dL bilirubin = 17.1 µmol/L = 0.0171 mmol/L. The same factor applies to total, direct and indirect bilirubin and to serum and neonatal (newborn) bilirubin.
| Convert bilirubin | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| µmol/L (umol/L) to mg/dL | mg/dL = µmol/L ÷ 17.1 (or × 0.0585) | 34 µmol/L = 1.99 mg/dL |
| mg/dL to µmol/L | µmol/L = mg/dL × 17.1 | 1.2 mg/dL = 20.5 µmol/L |
| mmol/L to mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 58.47 | 0.02 mmol/L = 1.17 mg/dL |
| mg/dL to mmol/L | mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 58.47 (or × 0.0171) | 2 mg/dL = 0.0342 mmol/L |
| µmol/L to mmol/L | mmol/L = µmol/L ÷ 1,000 | 17 µmol/L = 0.017 mmol/L |
Bilirubin Units: µmol/L, mmol/L and mg/dL
- µmol/L (micromoles per litre) is the SI unit for bilirubin, used in the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and most of the world. Normal adult values are single or low double digits.
- mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre) is used mainly in the United States and some other countries. Normal adult values are around 0.1–1.2.
- mmol/L is the same SI measurement divided by 1,000 (17 µmol/L = 0.017 mmol/L). It is rarely printed on reports, but some apps and calculators use it.
In other languages the test is bilirrubina (Spanish, Portuguese), bilirubine (French) and bilirubina (Italian); the conversion factor is the same.
How to Convert Bilirubin µmol/L to mg/dL
- Check the unit on your report: µmol/L values for adults are usually 3–21; mg/dL values are usually 0.1–1.2.
- Divide the µmol/L value by 17.1. For example, 26 µmol/L ÷ 17.1 = 1.52 mg/dL.
- To go the other way, multiply mg/dL by 17.1: 1.5 mg/dL × 17.1 = 25.7 µmol/L.
Bilirubin µmol/L to mg/dL Conversion Chart
| Bilirubin (µmol/L) | Bilirubin (mmol/L) | Bilirubin (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 µmol/L | 0.002 mmol/L | 0.12 mg/dL |
| 3 µmol/L | 0.003 mmol/L | 0.18 mg/dL |
| 5 µmol/L | 0.005 mmol/L | 0.29 mg/dL |
| 8 µmol/L | 0.008 mmol/L | 0.47 mg/dL |
| 10 µmol/L | 0.010 mmol/L | 0.58 mg/dL |
| 12 µmol/L | 0.012 mmol/L | 0.70 mg/dL |
| 15 µmol/L | 0.015 mmol/L | 0.88 mg/dL |
| 17 µmol/L | 0.017 mmol/L | 0.99 mg/dL |
| 20 µmol/L | 0.020 mmol/L | 1.17 mg/dL |
| 21 µmol/L | 0.021 mmol/L | 1.23 mg/dL |
| 24 µmol/L | 0.024 mmol/L | 1.40 mg/dL |
| 26 µmol/L | 0.026 mmol/L | 1.52 mg/dL |
| 28 µmol/L | 0.028 mmol/L | 1.64 mg/dL |
| 30 µmol/L | 0.030 mmol/L | 1.75 mg/dL |
| 34 µmol/L | 0.034 mmol/L | 1.99 mg/dL |
| 40 µmol/L | 0.040 mmol/L | 2.34 mg/dL |
| 50 µmol/L | 0.050 mmol/L | 2.92 mg/dL |
| 60 µmol/L | 0.060 mmol/L | 3.51 mg/dL |
| 70 µmol/L | 0.070 mmol/L | 4.09 mg/dL |
| 85 µmol/L | 0.085 mmol/L | 4.97 mg/dL |
| 100 µmol/L | 0.100 mmol/L | 5.85 mg/dL |
| 150 µmol/L | 0.150 mmol/L | 8.77 mg/dL |
| 200 µmol/L | 0.200 mmol/L | 11.69 mg/dL |
| 250 µmol/L | 0.250 mmol/L | 14.62 mg/dL |
| 300 µmol/L | 0.300 mmol/L | 17.54 mg/dL |
| 340 µmol/L | 0.340 mmol/L | 19.88 mg/dL |
| 400 µmol/L | 0.400 mmol/L | 23.39 mg/dL |
| 500 µmol/L | 0.500 mmol/L | 29.23 mg/dL |
Bilirubin mg/dL to µmol/L and mmol/L Chart
Use this chart to convert total or direct bilirubin from mg/dL to µmol/L (umol/L) or mmol/L. Values up to 30 mg/dL are included because newborn (neonatal) bilirubin is often in the 5–20 mg/dL range. For a dedicated reverse tool, use the bilirubin mg/dL to mmol/L converter.
| Bilirubin (mg/dL) | Bilirubin (µmol/L) | Bilirubin (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mg/dL | 1.7 µmol/L | 0.0017 mmol/L |
| 0.2 mg/dL | 3.4 µmol/L | 0.0034 mmol/L |
| 0.3 mg/dL | 5.1 µmol/L | 0.0051 mmol/L |
| 0.5 mg/dL | 8.6 µmol/L | 0.0086 mmol/L |
| 0.8 mg/dL | 13.7 µmol/L | 0.0137 mmol/L |
| 1 mg/dL | 17.1 µmol/L | 0.0171 mmol/L |
| 1.2 mg/dL | 20.5 µmol/L | 0.0205 mmol/L |
| 1.5 mg/dL | 25.7 µmol/L | 0.0257 mmol/L |
| 2 mg/dL | 34.2 µmol/L | 0.0342 mmol/L |
| 2.5 mg/dL | 42.8 µmol/L | 0.0428 mmol/L |
| 3 mg/dL | 51.3 µmol/L | 0.0513 mmol/L |
| 4 mg/dL | 68.4 µmol/L | 0.0684 mmol/L |
| 5 mg/dL | 85.5 µmol/L | 0.0855 mmol/L |
| 6 mg/dL | 102.6 µmol/L | 0.1026 mmol/L |
| 8 mg/dL | 136.8 µmol/L | 0.1368 mmol/L |
| 10 mg/dL | 171.0 µmol/L | 0.1710 mmol/L |
| 12 mg/dL | 205.2 µmol/L | 0.2052 mmol/L |
| 15 mg/dL | 256.6 µmol/L | 0.2566 mmol/L |
| 18 mg/dL | 307.9 µmol/L | 0.3079 mmol/L |
| 20 mg/dL | 342.1 µmol/L | 0.3421 mmol/L |
| 25 mg/dL | 427.6 µmol/L | 0.4276 mmol/L |
| 30 mg/dL | 513.1 µmol/L | 0.5131 mmol/L |
Total, Direct and Indirect Bilirubin: Calculation Formula
A bilirubin test usually reports up to three numbers:
- Total bilirubin = direct bilirubin + indirect bilirubin.
- Direct (conjugated) bilirubin is measured by the lab.
- Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin = total bilirubin − direct bilirubin.
Example: total bilirubin 2.0 mg/dL and direct bilirubin 0.4 mg/dL give indirect bilirubin of 1.6 mg/dL. In µmol/L: total 34 − direct 7 = indirect 27 µmol/L. Convert each value with the same factor (17.1); you do not need a separate direct bilirubin conversion calculator.
Normal Bilirubin Levels in µmol/L, mmol/L and mg/dL
| Adults | mg/dL | µmol/L | mmol/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total bilirubin (normal) | 0.1 – 1.2 | 2 – 21 | 0.002 – 0.021 |
| Direct (conjugated) bilirubin | below 0.3 | below 5 | below 0.005 |
| Jaundice usually visible | above about 2.5 – 3 | above about 43 – 51 | above about 0.043 – 0.051 |
Reference ranges vary between laboratories. Mildly high indirect bilirubin is often due to Gilbert syndrome, a common and harmless condition, while high direct bilirubin points to the liver or bile ducts. Newborn bilirubin limits depend on the baby’s age in hours and are set by the treating team. Use the range on your own report and discuss results with a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert bilirubin µmol/L to mg/dL?
Divide by 17.1. For example, 17.1 µmol/L = 1 mg/dL and 51 µmol/L = 2.98 mg/dL.
What is the bilirubin conversion factor?
1 mg/dL = 17.1 µmol/L. From mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by 58.47.
How do I convert bilirubin mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply mmol/L by 58.47. For example, 0.02 mmol/L × 58.47 = 1.17 mg/dL.
What is bilirubin 28 µmol/L in mg/dL?
28 ÷ 17.1 = 1.64 mg/dL, which is slightly above the usual upper limit of normal (about 21 µmol/L or 1.2 mg/dL). A result of 26 µmol/L = 1.52 mg/dL.
What is 15 mg/dL bilirubin in µmol/L?
15 × 17.1 = 257 µmol/L.
What is the SI unit of bilirubin?
The SI unit is µmol/L (micromoles per litre). The conventional unit is mg/dL.
How do you calculate indirect bilirubin?
Indirect bilirubin = total bilirubin − direct bilirubin. Both values must be in the same unit.
Is the conversion the same for direct and total bilirubin?
Yes. Total, direct and indirect bilirubin all convert with 17.1 (µmol/L) or 58.47 (mmol/L).
Related: bilirubin and vitamin conversions and the creatinine converter (kidney function).