HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Calculator | Fasting Glucose & Insulin

Enter Your Fasting Lab Values

Fasting Glucose

mg/dL

From an 8-12 hour fasting blood draw

Fasting Insulin

μIU/mL

Taken from the same fasting blood sample

Relevant Context (optional)

Adjusts the context of your result description only

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Where Your Score Falls

HOMA

OptimalNormalEarly IRSignificant IR

Optimal

<1.0

Normal

1.0–1.9

Early IR

2.0–2.9

Significant IR

3.0+

✓

Medically reviewed against the original HOMA model (Matthews et al., Diabetologia 1985) and cross-checked with MDCalc clinical reference data. Last checked: July 2026.

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HOMA-IR Interpretation Reference

HOMA-IR Score	General Category	What It May Suggest
Below 1.0	Optimal	Insulin sensitivity appears strong in most population studies
1.0–1.9	Normal / Borderline	Within typical range for many healthy adults
2.0–2.9	Early Insulin Resistance	Often warrants lifestyle attention; NHANES uses a 2.5 cutoff
3.0 or higher	Significant Insulin Resistance	Commonly associated with metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or prediabetes risk

Important: There is no single universal international cutoff. NHANES (US) uses ≥2.5; cutoffs in some Asian population studies are lower, often 1.4–2.5. Your lab's reference range and your doctor's interpretation take priority over any general chart.

What Is HOMA-IR?

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a calculated index that estimates how resistant your body's cells are to insulin, using only two routine fasting blood values: glucose and insulin. Developed at Oxford in 1985 by Matthews and colleagues, it was designed as a practical, accessible alternative to the euglycemic clamp technique — the true gold-standard method for measuring insulin sensitivity, which requires specialized equipment and is impractical outside research settings.

The formula is: HOMA-IR = (fasting insulin in μIU/mL × fasting glucose in mg/dL) ÷ 405. If your glucose is reported in mmol/L, the formula uses 22.5 as the divisor instead. Insulin resistance — when cells respond poorly to insulin's signal to take up glucose — is a central feature of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is why HOMA-IR is so widely used across these different clinical contexts.

Why There's No Single "Normal" Cutoff

Unlike some lab values with one universally agreed reference range, HOMA-IR cutoffs genuinely vary by population, ethnicity, insulin assay method, and study. The widely cited NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data from the US uses a cutoff of 2.5 to flag insulin resistance, while several studies in Asian populations have found lower cutoffs, often in the 1.4-2.5 range, to be more discriminating. This calculator presents commonly cited general categories, but your own lab's reference range — and your doctor's interpretation in the context of your full health picture — should always take priority over any generic online chart.

HOMA-IR and PCOS

Insulin resistance is remarkably common in polycystic ovary syndrome, affecting a substantial proportion of women with PCOS regardless of body weight, including many who are not overweight. This is one reason HOMA-IR appears so frequently in PCOS research and clinical evaluation — it captures a metabolic dimension of the condition that isn't visible from reproductive symptoms alone. If you're being evaluated for PCOS, your HOMA-IR result is typically considered alongside hormone levels, ultrasound findings, and menstrual history rather than as a standalone diagnostic marker.

HOMA-IR vs QUICKI: Two Ways to Look at the Same Data

HOMA-IR

A linear-style index where higher numbers indicate more insulin resistance. Simple to calculate and widely used in both clinical practice and research.

QUICKI

Uses a logarithmic transformation of the same two values, where higher numbers indicate better insulin sensitivity — the opposite direction from HOMA-IR. Some researchers consider it slightly more stable at very high or very low glucose/insulin values.

Since both indices are calculated from the exact same fasting glucose and insulin values, they will always tell a consistent story — QUICKI is included here mainly as a cross-reference for readers who encounter it in lab reports or research, not as an independent test.

Making Sure Your Result Is Accurate

Fast for 8-12 hours, water only — coffee, food, and even intense exercise beforehand can shift insulin levels and distort your result
Get glucose and insulin from the same blood draw — ideally the same morning, since both values naturally fluctuate
A poor night's sleep can temporarily raise insulin — consider this if a single reading seems unexpectedly high
Different labs use different insulin assays — which can shift absolute numbers, so tracking your own trend at the same lab over time is often more informative than a single reading

Lifestyle Factors Linked to Insulin Resistance

Diet high in refined carbohydrates and added sugar — chronically elevates insulin demand
Low muscle mass and sedentary behavior — skeletal muscle is the primary site of insulin-mediated glucose uptake
Excess visceral (abdominal) fat — closely linked to insulin resistance independent of total body weight
Poor sleep quality and chronic stress — both are associated with reduced insulin sensitivity over time
Family history — genetics play a meaningful role in individual insulin sensitivity

The encouraging news: insulin sensitivity is genuinely modifiable. Regular exercise (both aerobic and resistance training), improved sleep, and dietary changes reducing refined carbohydrate intake are consistently associated with improving HOMA-IR scores over weeks to months.

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. HOMA-IR is a screening index, not a diagnostic test on its own. Always discuss your lab results with a qualified healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a calculated index using fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels to estimate how resistant your body's cells are to insulin. It was developed at Oxford in 1985 as a simpler alternative to complex clamp-based insulin sensitivity testing.

HOMA-IR is calculated as (fasting insulin in microunits per milliliter multiplied by fasting glucose in mg/dL) divided by 405. If your glucose is in mmol/L, divide by 22.5 instead.

There is no single universal cutoff. In many adult populations, a HOMA-IR below 2.0 is generally considered favorable, 2.0-2.9 often suggests early insulin resistance, and 3.0 or higher is more commonly associated with significant insulin resistance. NHANES uses a cutoff of 2.5, and cutoffs in some Asian populations are lower, often 1.4-2.5.

Insulin resistance is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting a large proportion of women with the condition regardless of body weight. HOMA-IR is frequently used in PCOS research and clinical assessment as one marker of the metabolic component of the condition.

QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index) is another fasting-glucose-and-insulin-based formula, calculated differently from HOMA-IR using a logarithmic transformation. It moves in the opposite direction to HOMA-IR — higher QUICKI values generally indicate better insulin sensitivity — and is sometimes used alongside HOMA-IR as a cross-reference.

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