HOMA-IR Calculator
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) is a widely used method to estimate insulin resistance from a simple fasting blood test. Enter your fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels to get your HOMA-IR score and beta cell function estimate.
The HOMA-IR formula was developed by Matthews et al. in 1985 and has become one of the most commonly used research and clinical tools for estimating insulin resistance without requiring an expensive and time-consuming glucose clamp test. The formula: HOMA-IR = (Fasting Insulin in uU/mL x Fasting Glucose in mmol/L) / 22.5.
A lower HOMA-IR value indicates better insulin sensitivity. While there is no universally agreed-upon cutoff, many studies use the following ranges:
- Below 1.0: Optimal insulin sensitivity
- 1.0 to 1.9: Normal range
- 2.0 to 2.9: Early insulin resistance
- 3.0 and above: Significant insulin resistance
The calculator also provides HOMA-%B, which estimates pancreatic beta cell function. This is useful because insulin resistance and beta cell decline often progress together in the development of type 2 diabetes.
HOMA-IR has some limitations. It requires a true fasting sample (at least 8 hours), it is less reliable in people with very high or very low glucose levels, and it assumes a normal feedback loop between the liver and pancreas. Results should be interpreted alongside other metabolic markers and clinical context. This calculator is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.