HOMA-IR is the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance. It estimates how resistant your body is to insulin from two fasting numbers: glucose and insulin. It was published by Matthews and colleagues in 1985 and is widely used in research as a simple surrogate for insulin resistance.

How is HOMA-IR calculated?

HOMA-IR equals fasting insulin in mIU/L multiplied by fasting glucose in mmol/L, divided by 22.5. If glucose is in mg/dL, the divisor is 405 instead. Both samples must be taken fasting.

What is a normal HOMA-IR?

There is no single agreed cut-off. Many studies describe values below about 1 to 2 as typical insulin sensitivity and values above roughly 2.9 as consistent with insulin resistance, but thresholds vary by population, ethnicity and laboratory assay. Treat any band as context, not a diagnosis.

Can I get HOMA-IR from a Helvy test?

Not directly. Helvy panels do not currently include fasting insulin, so this exact index cannot be produced from a Helvy result. The closest metabolic marker Helvy measures is HbA1c, which is part of the Advanced Heart Health panel. A GP can arrange a fasting insulin test.

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HOMA-IR Calculator

HOMA-IR turns two fasting numbers — your glucose and your insulin — into a single index that researchers use as a rough marker of insulin resistance. Enter both and we will work it out and explain what it does, and does not, tell you.

Enter your fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Everything is worked out in your browser — your numbers never leave this page.

Fasting glucose

Fasting insulin (mIU/L, also written µIU/mL)

How this is worked out

The formula is the published Matthews (1985) model: HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (mIU/L) × fasting glucose (mmol/L) ÷ 22.5 (or ÷ 405 when glucose is in mg/dL). Context bands follow commonly-cited research thresholds — broadly, below about 1 reflects high insulin sensitivity, roughly 1 to 2 is typical, and above about 2.9 is associated in many studies with insulin resistance. There is no NICE-endorsed diagnostic cut-off; the bands are context, not a line between healthy and unhealthy, and not a diagnosis.

This tool is for general wellbeing information and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. It places the numbers you enter in context; it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. If a result concerns you, or you have symptoms, speak to your GP.

Questions

What is HOMA-IR?: HOMA-IR is the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance. It estimates how resistant your body is to insulin from two fasting numbers: glucose and insulin. It was published by Matthews and colleagues in 1985 and is widely used in research as a simple surrogate for insulin resistance.
How is HOMA-IR calculated?: HOMA-IR equals fasting insulin in mIU/L multiplied by fasting glucose in mmol/L, divided by 22.5. If glucose is in mg/dL, the divisor is 405 instead. Both samples must be taken fasting.
What is a normal HOMA-IR?: There is no single agreed cut-off. Many studies describe values below about 1 to 2 as typical insulin sensitivity and values above roughly 2.9 as consistent with insulin resistance, but thresholds vary by population, ethnicity and laboratory assay. Treat any band as context, not a diagnosis.
Can I get HOMA-IR from a Helvy test?: Not directly. Helvy panels do not currently include fasting insulin, so this exact index cannot be produced from a Helvy result. The closest metabolic marker Helvy measures is HbA1c, which is part of the Advanced Heart Health panel. A GP can arrange a fasting insulin test.

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<iframe src="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/homa-ir-calculator/embed" width="100%" height="720" style="border:1px solid #E7DFCC;border-radius:16px;max-width:560px" title="HOMA-IR Calculator by Helvy" loading="lazy"></iframe>
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<iframe src="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/homa-ir-calculator/embed" width="100%" height="720" style="border:1px solid #E7DFCC;border-radius:16px;max-width:560px" title="HOMA-IR Calculator by Helvy" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px sans-serif"><a href="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/homa-ir-calculator">HOMA-IR Calculator</a> by Helvy</p>

HOMA-IR Calculator

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HOMA-IR Calculator

The panel that covers this

Advanced Heart Health

A clearer picture of your health starts with a single drop.