Blood Sugar Ranges for Diabetics

Blood sugar readings are what let a diabetic know whether or not their diabetes is responding correctly to nutrition, exercise and medication. Diabetics should test their blood sugar three to five times daily unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. It's important to test before and after meals for an accurate picture of diabetes.

80 to 120

• A blood sugar range of 80 to 120 is normal for someone who does not have diabetes; expect it to rise slightly after meals and return to normal after two hours.

90 to 130

• Blood sugars of 90 to 130 are a good range for a diabetic before eating a meal. It is just slightly higher than a non-diabetic range.

Less than 180

• Anything less than 180 is a good glucose (blood sugar) reading for a diabetic one to two hours after eating a meal.

180 to 220

• A reading of 180 to 220 is "uncontrolled" for diabetics, meaning either the diet, exercise or medication is not working properly and blood sugars are at an undesirable level.

Greater than 220

• Levels exceeding 220 are in an extremely uncontrolled range, and long periods at this range can lead to complications such as sustained infections, circulation problems, deterioration of the eyes and the potential to develop heart and lung complications.