Normal range 4.2-5.9 10⁶/µL (4.2-5.9 10¹²/L SI). Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA).
Also known as: erythrocyte count.
4.2-5.9 10⁶/µLReference range
Reference range
Combined adult10⁶/µL
4.25.9
SI10¹²/L
4.25.9
Men10⁶/µL
4.76.1
Women10⁶/µL
4.25.4
Adults. Separate men's and women's bands are published for Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) - read those rather than the combined band, which can call a result normal that is abnormal for the patient's sex. Pediatric ranges are not published here.
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) reference range, specimen, and conversion details
Convert any Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) result between units on the unit converter.
What is the normal range for Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)?
The standard teaching reference range for Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) is 4.2-5.9 10⁶/µL in conventional units, or 4.2-5.9 10¹²/L in SI units. This value is measured in whole blood (edta).
That band combines both sexes. Reported separately, men 4.7-6.1 10⁶/µL and women 4.2-5.4 10⁶/µL. A result inside the combined band can still be abnormal for the patient in front of you.
Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
Men run higher than women; use sex-specific ranges when reported.
Interpret alongside hemoglobin, hematocrit, and the RBC indices.
Typical ranges: men ~4.7-6.1 and women ~4.2-5.4 × 10¹²/L.
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