What is creatinine unit conversion?
Creatinine unit conversion expresses the same serum creatinine concentration on different laboratory scales. The pair clinicians search most is creatinine mg/dL to µmol/L and creatinine µmol/L to mg/dL (also written umol/L). Multiply mg/dL by the creatinine unit conversion factor 88.4 to get µmol/L, or divide µmol/L by 88.4 for mg/dL. That factor comes from creatinine molecular weight 113.12 g/mol — the same constants used in CKD-EPI, MDRD and Cockcroft-Gault tools. This free creatinine conversion calculator is a serum creatinine unit converter that syncs SI and conventional units live so you never paste the wrong scale into an eGFR or clearance equation.
Creatinine unit conversion table
Use this table to convert creatinine units by hand or to check the creatinine units converter above. Every creatinine unit conversion formula anchors to mg/dL, then fans out to SI and conventional lab units. mg/L and µg/mL are numerically equal for creatinine; mmol/L uses molecular weight 113.12.
| Unit | Symbol | Convert from mg/dL | Convert to mg/dL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micromoles per liter (SI) | µmol/L | mg/dL × 88.4 |
µmol/L ÷ 88.4 |
| Milligrams per deciliter | mg/dL | reference unit |
reference unit |
| Milligrams per liter | mg/L | mg/dL × 10 |
mg/L ÷ 10 |
| Micrograms per milliliter | µg/mL | mg/dL × 10 |
µg/mL ÷ 10 |
| Grams per liter | g/L | mg/dL ÷ 100 |
g/L × 100 |
| Millimoles per liter | mmol/L | (mg/dL × 10) ÷ 113.12 |
(mmol/L × 113.12) ÷ 10 |
| Micromoles per deciliter | µmol/dL | mg/dL × 8.84 |
µmol/dL ÷ 8.84 |
Creatinine unit conversion formula and factor
The creatinine unit conversion factor used in almost every adult kidney equation is 88.4 µmol/L per 1 mg/dL. It is a rounded clinical constant from MW 113.12 g/mol (1 mg/dL = 10 mg/L ≈ 88.42 µmol/L, conventionally 88.4). Some older papers use 88.42 or 88.5 — this creatinine converter uses 88.4 so results match eGFR, MDRD and creatinine clearance calculators on this site.
- Creatinine mg/dL to umol/L: µmol/L = mg/dL × 88.4
- Creatinine umol/L to mg/dL: mg/dL = µmol/L ÷ 88.4
- Worked example: 1.0 mg/dL × 88.4 = 88.4 µmol/L; 78 µmol/L ÷ 88.4 ≈ 0.88 mg/dL
Do not confuse a creatinine level converter with kidney function. Converting 1.8 mg/dL to 159 µmol/L does not change GFR — it only restates the lab. After conversion, estimate filtration with CKD-EPI, MDRD or Cockcroft-Gault using the matching unit.
How to use this creatinine converter
- All fields start at 0. Type serum creatinine in µmol/L (SI, recommended) or any conventional unit — every other field updates live.
- Use Calculate to confirm sync. Use Example only if you want a sample (78 µmol/L ≈ 0.88 mg/dL). Clear returns every field to 0.
- Read the reference bar (0–106–400 µmol/L) and the live creatinine unit conversion mg/dL to umol/L line.
- Paste the converted value into the eGFR calculator, MDRD GFR calculator, or creatinine clearance calculator.
Clinical context and reference ranges
Serum creatinine is a muscle-breakdown product filtered by glomeruli. A converted number is not a diagnosis — interpret with age, sex, hydration, drugs and trend. Many adult labs cite roughly:
- Women: ~0.6–1.1 mg/dL (53–97 µmol/L) — lab-specific
- Men: ~0.7–1.3 mg/dL (62–115 µmol/L) — lab-specific
- Teaching band on the bar: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL ≈ 53–106 µmol/L
Low values may reflect low muscle mass, liver disease or pregnancy. High values need clinical review and pairing with eGFR, urine albumin and history. Always use your laboratory’s printed interval. Common errors: treating µmol/L as mg/dL (about 88-fold off), mixing mg/dL with mg/L (10-fold), or using urine creatinine units in a serum eGFR field.
Creatinine unit converter FAQ
What is creatinine unit conversion?
It translates the same blood creatinine into different reporting scales — chiefly mg/dL (US conventional) and µmol/L (SI). The physiology is unchanged; only the numeric expression differs.
What is the creatinine unit conversion factor 88.4?
88.4 µmol/L per mg/dL. Multiply mg/dL by 88.4 for µmol/L; divide µmol/L by 88.4 for mg/dL. Derived from creatinine MW 113.12 g/mol.
How do I convert creatinine mg/dL to µmol/L?
Multiply by 88.4. Example: 1.2 mg/dL × 88.4 = 106.1 µmol/L. Type either value here and all units update.
How do I convert creatinine µmol/L to mg/dL?
Divide by 88.4. Example: 88 µmol/L ÷ 88.4 ≈ 0.99 mg/dL.
What is the molecular weight of creatinine?
113.12 g/mol. Needed for mmol/L conversions in addition to the 88.4 factor for µmol/L.
Why do labs report different creatinine units?
Regional standards: mg/dL in much of the US; µmol/L in Europe, Canada, Australia and many hospital systems. IDMS-standardized assays report equivalent physiology.
What are normal serum creatinine reference ranges?
Often ~0.6–1.2 mg/dL (53–106 µmol/L) for adults, but sex, age and muscle mass shift lab intervals. Use your lab’s range.
Is this serum creatinine unit converter accurate?
Yes for standard clinical math — same constants as MDRD, CKD-EPI and most LIS systems. Not a substitute for lab verification on critical results.
Can I use this for urine creatinine?
The unit math is identical. Interpret urine values with clearance or ratio calculators, not as a standalone serum result.
How does unit conversion affect eGFR calculators?
eGFR equations require creatinine in a specific unit internally. Entering µmol/L as mg/dL causes large errors — convert first with this tool.
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User Reviews
4.8 / 5 from 3 recent users of this creatinine unit converter
All seven unit fields stay in sync — no more manual 88.4 math when reconciling US and SI lab reports.
Reference bar and live formula make teaching creatinine mg/dL to µmol/L conversion straightforward for students.
Clean two-column layout. Example loads a realistic SI value and the badge reminds staff which unit labs prefer.