Hemoglobin Normal Range — WHO Thresholds
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Haemoglobin is what carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
The Hemoglobin result gives you and your doctor a quick read on your blood's ability to move oxygen. It offers an easy starting point for spotting concerns and deciding if closer checks are worthwhile.
Also known as: Hb, HGB, Haemoglobin, Hgb
This isn't a case where higher or lower is better. Your body keeps it in a narrow band, and both directions can matter.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-16
What is Hemoglobin?
Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein inside your red blood cells. It picks up oxygen in your lungs and carries it around your body.
Why is Hemoglobin tested?
Your doctor checks it to see if your blood is carrying enough oxygen. It also helps them look for anaemia, when your blood is low on healthy red cells.
What is a normal Hemoglobin range?
- India
- Men: 13.0–17.0 g/dL; Women: 12.0–15.0 g/dL (ICMR-NIN 2020)
- Global
- Men: 13.5–17.5 g/dL; Women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL
Ranges vary by lab, method and equipment — the range printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result.
Source: [ICMR-NIN, 2020]
What does a Hemoglobin of 8.0 mean?
Find your Hemoglobin result in the table below, then read the band it falls into. Each band names the guideline body it comes from. Always compare against the range printed on your own report.
Men
| If your result is | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Below 8 g/dL | Severe low (severe anaemia) | WHO (2011) |
| 8–11 g/dL | Moderate low | WHO (2011) |
| 11–13 g/dL | Mild low | WHO (2011) |
| 13 g/dL and above | Within the usual range | WHO (2011) |
Women (not pregnant)
| If your result is | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Below 8 g/dL | Severe low (severe anaemia) | WHO (2011) |
| 8–11 g/dL | Moderate low | WHO (2011) |
| 11–12 g/dL | Mild low | WHO (2011) |
| 12 g/dL and above | Within the usual range | WHO (2011) |
Hemoglobin Below 8 g/dL — Severe low (severe anaemia), Men
If your result is 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.9 or anywhere in this band: This is a markedly low level that leaves little to carry oxygen around your body. It is worth discussing with your doctor promptly.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- What could be causing such a low result?
- What checks or steps do you suggest soon?
Hemoglobin 8–11 g/dL — Moderate low, Men
If your result is 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 10.9 or anywhere in this band: This is below the usual range for men. That is often why people feel tired or breathless climbing stairs. It is worth looking into with your doctor.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- What is the likely reason for my low haemoglobin?
- Would iron studies or other tests help find the cause?
Hemoglobin 11–13 g/dL — Mild low, Men
If your result is 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.9 or anywhere in this band: This is a little below the usual range for men. Mild dips are common and often have a simple, treatable cause.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- Is this mild dip worth looking into for me?
- Should it be repeated to see if it is steady?
Hemoglobin 13 g/dL and above — Within the usual range, Men
If your result is 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0 or anywhere in this band: This is the usual range for men. It suggests your blood is carrying oxygen well.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- Is my result normal for someone like me?
Hemoglobin Below 8 g/dL — Severe low (severe anaemia), Women (not pregnant)
If your result is 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.9 or anywhere in this band: This is a markedly low level that leaves little to carry oxygen around your body. It is worth discussing with your doctor promptly.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- What could be causing such a low result?
- What checks or steps do you suggest soon?
Hemoglobin 8–11 g/dL — Moderate low, Women (not pregnant)
If your result is 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 10.9 or anywhere in this band: This is below the usual range for women. That is often why people feel tired or breathless climbing stairs. It is worth looking into with your doctor.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- What is the likely reason for my low haemoglobin?
- Would iron studies or other tests help find the cause?
Hemoglobin 11–12 g/dL — Mild low, Women (not pregnant)
If your result is 11.0, 11.4, 11.9 or anywhere in this band: This is a little below the usual range for women. Mild dips are common and often have a simple, treatable cause.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- Is this mild dip worth looking into for me?
- Should it be repeated to see if it is steady?
Hemoglobin 12 g/dL and above — Within the usual range, Women (not pregnant)
If your result is 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 15.0 or anywhere in this band: This is the usual range for women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy uses different cut-offs, which your obstetrician reads for you.
Source: [WHO, 2011]
Worth asking your doctor
- Is my result normal for someone like me?
What does a high Hemoglobin result mean?
A higher-than-usual level can happen if you are dehydrated or live at high altitude. Sometimes the bone marrow makes extra red cells. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
What does a low Hemoglobin result mean?
A lower-than-usual level often means your body has fewer or smaller red cells than normal. This is often why people feel tired or breathless on stairs. It can be linked to low iron or other nutrients.
What can affect your Hemoglobin result?
- Iron intake
- Altitude of residence
- Hydration
- Menstrual blood loss
- Chronic illness
In the Indian context
Indian surveys keep showing that low hemoglobin is more common in women and children here than in many other countries. Gaps in dietary iron and folate are a big reason.
Questions to ask your doctor
About this result
- What does my Hemoglobin result mean for me specifically, given my age and health?
- Is my Hemoglobin in the range that is right for me, not just the lab's general range?
What to do next
- Could anything I eat, do, or take have affected my hemoglobin result?
- Is there anything I should do about my Hemoglobin, or is it fine to leave as it is?
About retesting
- Does my Hemoglobin need to be repeated, and if so, when?
The bigger picture
- Should my Hemoglobin be looked at together with my RBC and WBC result?
- Does my Hemoglobin connect to any condition I already have, or to anything I have noticed in how I feel?
Frequently asked questions
- What is Hemoglobin?
- Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein inside your red blood cells. It picks up oxygen in your lungs and carries it around your body. Your doctor checks it to see if your blood is carrying enough oxygen. It also helps them look for anaemia, when your blood is low on healthy red cells.
- What is a normal hemoglobin test range?
- In India a typical adult range is Men: 13.0–17.0 g/dL; Women: 12.0–15.0 g/dL (ICMR-NIN 2020). Internationally it is around Men: 13.5–17.5 g/dL; Women: 12.0–15.5 g/dL. Ranges vary by lab, method and equipment — the range printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result.
- What does a high Hemoglobin result mean?
- A higher-than-usual level can happen if you are dehydrated or live at high altitude. Sometimes the bone marrow makes extra red cells. It is worth discussing with your doctor.
- What does a low Hemoglobin result mean?
- A lower-than-usual level often means your body has fewer or smaller red cells than normal. This is often why people feel tired or breathless on stairs. It can be linked to low iron or other nutrients.
- What can affect your Hemoglobin result?
- Several everyday factors can influence it, including Iron intake, Altitude of residence, Hydration, Menstrual blood loss, Chronic illness.
Sources
- ICMR-NIN (2020) — Nutrient Requirements for Indians, Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition
- WHO (2011) — Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity, WHO/NMH/NHD/MNM/11.1
Part of the Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Related tests in this panel
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