HOMA-IR Calculator: Insulin Resistance Index

HOMA-IR, HOMA-β and QUICKI from fasting glucose and insulin: insulin resistance and beta-cell function with reference ranges and interpretation.

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Calculation

Fasting glucose — Units
Fasting insulin — Units

Use results from a single fasting blood draw (8–12 hours without food).

Result

HOMA-IR
1.85 index

There is no universal diagnostic cut-off: results depend on the population and insulin assay.

QUICKI
0.348 index

An estimated insulin sensitivity index. It cannot confirm or exclude a condition on its own.

HOMA-β (beta-cell function)
94 %

HOMA1 secretion estimate relative to a model reference of 100%. It is not the percentage of living beta cells or a diagnosis of exhaustion.

Glucose used
5.20 mmol/L
Insulin used
8.0 µIU/mL

Calculated with the HOMA1 model (Matthews 1985) and QUICKI (Katz 2000) for a single fasting draw. Reference ranges are population benchmarks from the cited sources. Laboratories use their own ranges, and interpretation depends on clinical context: discuss the result with your physician.

The result updates as you change the fields. Your data never leaves the browser.

Only upon clicking, current data is sent to generate the PDF and is not stored.

How it is calculated

HOMA1 (Matthews, 1985) and QUICKI (Katz, 2000) model fasting glucose and insulin. They describe different aspects of the same data and are used mainly in research. HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance, HOMA-β estimates secretion within the model, and QUICKI estimates insulin sensitivity. These indices do not replace clinical diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

Formula

HOMA-IR = Glucose (mmol/L) × Insulin (µIU/mL) / 22.5 HOMA-β (%) = 20 × Insulin (µIU/mL) / (Glucose (mmol/L) − 3.5) QUICKI = 1 / [log10(Insulin, µIU/mL) + log10(Glucose, mg/dL)]

Limits of the method

The indices are valid only for fasting samples (8–12 h) and do not apply during insulin therapy, secretagogue use, decompensated type 1 diabetes or low glucose (HOMA-β is undefined at glucose ≤ 3.5 mmol/L). Insulin reference values depend on the assay, and HOMA-IR cut-offs on the population (2.0–3.8 across studies). The result is not a diagnosis but a reason to discuss glucose metabolism with a physician.

Sources of the method

This calculation is for reference only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a prescription. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, take medication or have any doubts, discuss the result with a physician or a qualified nutrition professional.

How to use the calculation

1

Enter the starting values

HOMA1 (Matthews, 1985) and QUICKI (Katz, 2000) model fasting glucose and insulin. They describe different aspects of the same data and are used mainly in research. HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance, HOMA-β estimates secretion within the model, and QUICKI estimates insulin sensitivity. These indices do not replace clinical diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

2

Adjust the parameters

HOMA-IR = Glucose (mmol/L) × Insulin (µIU/mL) / 22.5 HOMA-β (%) = 20 × Insulin (µIU/mL) / (Glucose (mmol/L) − 3.5) QUICKI = 1 / [log10(Insulin, µIU/mL) + log10(Glucose, mg/dL)]

3

Read the result

The indices are valid only for fasting samples (8–12 h) and do not apply during insulin therapy, secretagogue use, decompensated type 1 diabetes or low glucose (HOMA-β is undefined at glucose ≤ 3.5 mmol/L). Insulin reference values depend on the assay, and HOMA-IR cut-offs on the population (2.0–3.8 across studies). The result is not a diagnosis but a reason to discuss glucose metabolism with a physician.

Frequently asked questions

What does the calculation show?

HOMA1 (Matthews, 1985) and QUICKI (Katz, 2000) model fasting glucose and insulin. They describe different aspects of the same data and are used mainly in research. HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance, HOMA-β estimates secretion within the model, and QUICKI estimates insulin sensitivity. These indices do not replace clinical diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

What limitations apply?

The indices are valid only for fasting samples (8–12 h) and do not apply during insulin therapy, secretagogue use, decompensated type 1 diabetes or low glucose (HOMA-β is undefined at glucose ≤ 3.5 mmol/L). Insulin reference values depend on the assay, and HOMA-IR cut-offs on the population (2.0–3.8 across studies). The result is not a diagnosis but a reason to discuss glucose metabolism with a physician.

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What next

Formula breakdowns, biomarker reference ranges and nutrition articles with cited sources are in the NutriFit knowledge base.

Go to the knowledge base