CBC Blood Test Abbreviations: What MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW and Every Term Means

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) uses standardised abbreviations to report red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW describe the size and haemoglobin content of your red cells. WBC subtype percentages show how your immune system is distributed. Every number on your report sits next to the lab's own reference range for comparison.

What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC) report?

A CBC measures the main cellular components in your blood. Laboratories use standardised international abbreviations to shorten complex medical terms [CLSI, 2010]. These abbreviations fall into three groups: red blood cell measurements, white blood cell measurements, and platelet measurements. Your printed report shows your measured value alongside the lab's reference interval for each one.

What does every CBC abbreviation mean?

The table below lists every common CBC abbreviation, its full name, the unit used, and the typical adult reference interval. Always compare your result against the range printed on your own report — ranges vary between labs based on equipment and method [CLSI, 2010].

Abbreviation	Full name	Unit	Typical adult range	Source
Hb / Haemoglobin	Haemoglobin	g/dL	Men: 13.0–17.0 · Women: 12.0–15.0	WHO, 2011
RBC	Red Blood Cell count	million/µL	Men: 4.5–5.9 · Women: 4.0–5.2	CLSI, 2010
HCT / PCV	Haematocrit / Packed Cell Volume	%	Men: 40–52 · Women: 36–48	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
MCV	Mean Corpuscular Volume	fL	80–100 fL	WHO, 2011
MCH	Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin	pg	27–33 pg	CLSI, 2010
MCHC	Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration	g/dL	31.5–36.0 g/dL	CLSI, 2010
RDW-CV	Red cell Distribution Width — Coefficient of Variation	%	11.5–14.5%	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
RDW-SD	Red cell Distribution Width — Standard Deviation	fL	35–56 fL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
WBC	White Blood Cell count (total)	thousand/µL	4.0–11.0 thousand/µL	CLSI, 2010
Neutrophils	Neutrophils (% or absolute)	% or thousand/µL	40–75% · 1.8–7.7 thousand/µL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes (% or absolute)	% or thousand/µL	20–45% · 1.0–4.8 thousand/µL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
Monocytes	Monocytes (% or absolute)	% or thousand/µL	2–10% · 0.2–1.0 thousand/µL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
Eosinophils	Eosinophils (% or absolute)	% or thousand/µL	1–6% · 0.02–0.5 thousand/µL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
Basophils	Basophils (% or absolute)	% or thousand/µL	0–1% · 0.0–0.1 thousand/µL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017
PLT / Platelets	Platelet count	thousand/µL	150–400 thousand/µL	WHO, 2011
MPV	Mean Platelet Volume	fL	7.5–12.5 fL	British Journal of Haematology, 2017

What do red blood cell indices like MCV, MCH, and MCHC mean?

Red blood cell indices describe the physical size and haemoglobin content of your red cells. MCV measures the average size of each red cell [WHO, 2011]. A low MCV means cells are smaller than usual. A high MCV means they are larger than usual.

MCH measures the average weight of haemoglobin inside each cell [CLSI, 2010]. MCHC measures how concentrated haemoglobin is relative to the cell volume [CLSI, 2010]. RDW measures how much the sizes vary across your red cells [British Journal of Haematology, 2017].

What does the white blood cell differential mean?

The WBC differential breaks your total white cell count into five subtypes. Each subtype plays a different role in your immune system. Neutrophils and lymphocytes are the two largest groups [British Journal of Haematology, 2017]. Monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils make up smaller fractions.

Your report may show these as percentages or as absolute numbers per microlitre. Both are normal ways to report the same information [CLSI, 2010].

What do platelet measurements mean?

Platelets are the cell fragments that help your blood clot after an injury. The platelet count (PLT) measures how many platelets are in your blood [WHO, 2011]. The mean platelet volume (MPV) measures their average size. Larger platelets are usually newer and more active [British Journal of Haematology, 2017].

Frequently asked questions

What does MCV stand for on a blood test?

MCV stands for Mean Corpuscular Volume. It measures the average physical size of your red blood cells in femtoliters (fL) [WHO, 2011]. The typical adult range is 80–100 fL.

What does a low MCHC mean on a CBC?

MCHC stands for Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration. A lower value means haemoglobin is less concentrated inside your red blood cells [CLSI, 2010]. It is worth discussing with your doctor alongside your other red cell indices.

What is the difference between RDW-CV and RDW-SD?

Both measure how much your red cells vary in size. RDW-CV expresses this as a percentage [British Journal of Haematology, 2017]. RDW-SD expresses it as an absolute measurement in femtoliters. Most labs report one or both.

What does HCT or PCV mean on a CBC?

HCT stands for Haematocrit. PCV stands for Packed Cell Volume. Both measure the percentage of your total blood volume made up of red blood cells [British Journal of Haematology, 2017]. The terms are interchangeable.

Why are white blood cell results shown as percentages and numbers?

Percentages show the relative proportion of each white cell type out of the total count [CLSI, 2010]. Absolute counts show the exact number of cells per microlitre. Both are valid and your lab may show one or both formats.

Why does my CBC reference range differ from what I see online?

Reference ranges depend on the specific testing machine and reagents used by each laboratory [CLSI, 2010]. Online ranges are general estimates. Always compare your result against the range printed on your own report.

Sources

• British Journal of Haematology. Guidelines for the Laboratory Investigation of Complete Blood Count, 2017.
• Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Hematology and Hemostasis (blood clotting) Standard Guidelines, 2010.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity. Geneva, 2011.

Last reviewed: August 2026

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