Lactate (CSF) unit converter
Lactate in cerebrospinal fluid (bacterial vs. viral meningitis workup)
Also known as: CSF lactate
Converter
Enter a value in any unit and all other units fill in.
Worked example
1.8 mmol/L (middle of the reference range) = 16.2 mg/dL
Conversion formulas
| mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 9.009 | mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.111 |
|---|---|---|
| g/L | g/L = mmol/L × 0.09008 | mmol/L = g/L × 11.1 |
| mg/L | mg/L = mmol/L × 90.08 | mmol/L = mg/L × 0.0111 |
| µmol/L | µmol/L = mmol/L × 1000 | mmol/L = µmol/L × 0.001 |
Good to know
Lactate in cerebrospinal fluid is reported in mmol/L or in mg/dL. The reference range depends on age.
- mg/dL ÷ 9 = mmol/L (exact factor 0.111); 18 mg/dL equals 2 mmol/L.
- Ranges rise slightly with age (see the source note); samples must reach the laboratory quickly.
Reference range
| Unit | Adults |
|---|---|
| mmol/L | 1.2 – 2.4 |
| mg/dL | 10.81 – 21.62 |
| g/L | 0.1081 – 0.2162 |
| mg/L | 108.1 – 216.2 |
| µmol/L | 1200 – 2400 |
Source: Leen et al. (2012): Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and lactate: age-specific reference values, PLoS One (PMC) · Last reviewed: 2026-10-19
Note from the source: Adults 18-50 years 1.2-2.4 mmol/L (5th-95th percentile of more than 7,000 samples; age-specific: infants 0.9-2.5, children 1.0-2.2, over 60 years up to 2.6-2.7 mmol/L). Use together with CSF glucose and cell count