health calculator

HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Calculator

Calculate HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and insulin sensitivity from fasting insulin and glucose.

Formula Verified by Dr. Sarah Jenkins, PhD

Quick actions: Save inputs, view saved runs, print, share, or export results

Saved Runs

Inputs

Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)µIU/mL

Glucose Unit

Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)mg/dL

Results

HOMA-IR Score

1.89

Insulin Sensitivity52.9%

QUICKI Index0.347

Metabolic ClassificationMild Insulin Resistance (Borderline)

Bookmark this HOMA-IR Calculator

Save this page to monitor subclinical changes in insulin resistance and metabolic health as you adjust diet and exercise.

Formula

HOMA-IR Formula (Homeostatic Model Assessment)

HOMA-IR = (Fasting Insulin × Fasting Glucose in mg/dL) / 405

Computes metabolic insulin resistance based on standard clinical fasting plasma measurements.

Step by step

How the calculation works

1Input your fasting insulin level in µIU/mL (obtained from laboratory blood panels).
2Input your fasting glucose level and select the correct unit (mg/dL or mmol/L).
3The calculator will compute HOMA-IR, QUICKI index, and relative insulin sensitivity percentage.
4Review the classification ranges to understand your subclinical metabolic profile.

Example

Example Insulin Profile

Fasting insulin of 12 µIU/mL and fasting glucose of 95 mg/dL yields a HOMA-IR score of 2.8, which indicates "Early Insulin Resistance (Borderline)" and an insulin sensitivity rating of 35.7%.

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How to understand and use this calculator

Insulin Resistance: The Silent Driver of Metabolic Disease

Insulin resistance occurs when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver begin resisting the hormone insulin, which is required to escort glucose from the bloodstream into cells. In response, the pancreas secretes excess insulin to keep blood sugar stable. This chronic hyperinsulinemia can persist for years before progressing to Type 2 diabetes.

Evaluating insulin resistance requires checking both insulin and glucose. Tracking this is vital for anyone managing weight or metabolic targets, and pairs well with our glycemic load meal calculator and GKI ketosis calculator.

The Mathematics of HOMA-IR and QUICKI

This calculator computes two primary mathematical indexes of insulin kinetics:

1. HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance): Relates fasting plasma insulin ($FPI$, in $\mu IU/mL$) and fasting plasma glucose ($FPG$, in $mg/dL$):

$$\text{HOMA-IR} = \frac{FPI \times FPG}{405}$$

*(If glucose is in $mmol/L$, the denominator is adjusted to $22.5$)*. A score of $\le 1.0$ represents optimal sensitivity, while values $\ge 1.9$ indicate early resistance, and $\ge 2.9$ represent severe insulin resistance.

2. QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index): A mathematical transformation of fasting values that correlates highly with glucose clamp studies:

$$\text{QUICKI} = \frac{1}{\log_{10}(FPI) + \log_{10}(FPG)}$$

Normal QUICKI values are typically above $0.38$, while values below $0.33$ indicate significant insulin resistance.

Insulin Sensitivity Percentage and Action Steps

Insulin Sensitivity % represents your relative sensitivity compared to a normal baseline (where HOMA-IR = 1 is 100%):

$$\text{Sensitivity \%} = \frac{100}{\text{HOMA-IR}}$$

To optimize insulin sensitivity, consider resistance training to increase glucose storage capacity in muscles, modifying carbohydrate intake, and tracking daily caloric expenditures with our calorie calculator and macro calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HOMA-IR stand for?+

HOMA-IR stands for Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance.

What is a normal HOMA-IR score?+

A HOMA-IR score of 1.0 or less is optimal. 1.0 to 1.9 indicates mild insulin resistance, and 2.9 or higher indicates severe insulin resistance.

How is HOMA-IR different from HbA1c?+

HbA1c measures average blood sugar over 3 months. HOMA-IR evaluates the relationship between fasting glucose and fasting insulin, allowing detection of insulin resistance long before blood sugar rises.

What is the QUICKI index?+

QUICKI is the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, a formula using the log sum of glucose and insulin to estimate insulin sensitivity. Higher is better.

Can I reverse insulin resistance?+

Yes. Insulin resistance is highly reversible through lifestyle modifications, including strength training, carbohydrate restriction, stress management, and weight loss.

What blood tests do I need for HOMA-IR?+

You need a Fasting Insulin test (measured in uIU/mL) and a Fasting Glucose test (measured in mg/dL or mmol/L) from a single fasting blood draw.

Why does fasting insulin rise first?+

To keep blood glucose normal, the pancreas pumps out more insulin. Fasting glucose may remain perfect while fasting insulin rises to high levels to compensate.

How does muscle mass affect insulin sensitivity?+

Skeletal muscle is the primary destination for dietary glucose. Increasing muscle mass via resistance training creates more glucose disposal sites, improving insulin sensitivity.

Does cardiovascular exercise improve insulin sensitivity?+

Yes. Cardio stimulates insulin-independent glucose uptake in muscles, helping lower blood sugar and insulin demand for up to 48 hours post-workout.

What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?+

Insulin resistance is the subclinical state where cells ignore insulin signals. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, causing blood sugar to rise.

How the calculation works

1Input your fasting insulin level in µIU/mL (obtained from laboratory blood panels).

2Input your fasting glucose level and select the correct unit (mg/dL or mmol/L).

3The calculator will compute HOMA-IR, QUICKI index, and relative insulin sensitivity percentage.

4Review the classification ranges to understand your subclinical metabolic profile.

How to understand and use this calculator

Insulin Resistance: The Silent Driver of Metabolic Disease

The Mathematics of HOMA-IR and QUICKI

This calculator computes two primary mathematical indexes of insulin kinetics:

1. HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance): Relates fasting plasma insulin ($FPI$, in $\mu IU/mL$) and fasting plasma glucose ($FPG$, in $mg/dL$):

$$\text{HOMA-IR} = \frac{FPI \times FPG}{405}$$

2. QUICKI (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index): A mathematical transformation of fasting values that correlates highly with glucose clamp studies:

$$\text{QUICKI} = \frac{1}{\log_{10}(FPI) + \log_{10}(FPG)}$$

Normal QUICKI values are typically above $0.38$, while values below $0.33$ indicate significant insulin resistance.

Insulin Sensitivity Percentage and Action Steps

Insulin Sensitivity % represents your relative sensitivity compared to a normal baseline (where HOMA-IR = 1 is 100%):

$$\text{Sensitivity \%} = \frac{100}{\text{HOMA-IR}}$$

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HOMA-IR stand for?+

HOMA-IR stands for Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance.

What is a normal HOMA-IR score?+

A HOMA-IR score of 1.0 or less is optimal. 1.0 to 1.9 indicates mild insulin resistance, and 2.9 or higher indicates severe insulin resistance.

How is HOMA-IR different from HbA1c?+

What is the QUICKI index?+

QUICKI is the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, a formula using the log sum of glucose and insulin to estimate insulin sensitivity. Higher is better.

Can I reverse insulin resistance?+

Yes. Insulin resistance is highly reversible through lifestyle modifications, including strength training, carbohydrate restriction, stress management, and weight loss.

What blood tests do I need for HOMA-IR?+

You need a Fasting Insulin test (measured in uIU/mL) and a Fasting Glucose test (measured in mg/dL or mmol/L) from a single fasting blood draw.

Why does fasting insulin rise first?+

To keep blood glucose normal, the pancreas pumps out more insulin. Fasting glucose may remain perfect while fasting insulin rises to high levels to compensate.

How does muscle mass affect insulin sensitivity?+

Skeletal muscle is the primary destination for dietary glucose. Increasing muscle mass via resistance training creates more glucose disposal sites, improving insulin sensitivity.

Does cardiovascular exercise improve insulin sensitivity?+

Yes. Cardio stimulates insulin-independent glucose uptake in muscles, helping lower blood sugar and insulin demand for up to 48 hours post-workout.

What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?+

HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Calculator

Inputs

Results

Bookmark this HOMA-IR Calculator

HOMA-IR Formula (Homeostatic Model Assessment)

How the calculation works

Example Insulin Profile

Learn more about this calculation

BMI Calculation Guide: Formula, Ranges, and Limits

How to Use Do The Calculation Calculators: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Calorie Calculator

Macro Calculator

Meal Glycemic Load

GKI Ketosis Tracker

HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Calculator

Inputs

Results

Bookmark this HOMA-IR Calculator

Key output metrics

HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Level

How to understand and use this calculator

Insulin Resistance: The Silent Driver of Metabolic Disease

The Mathematics of HOMA-IR and QUICKI

Insulin Sensitivity Percentage and Action Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

HOMA-IR Formula (Homeostatic Model Assessment)

How the calculation works

Example Insulin Profile

Learn more about this calculation

BMI Calculation Guide: Formula, Ranges, and Limits

How to Use Do The Calculation Calculators: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Calorie Calculator

Macro Calculator

Meal Glycemic Load

GKI Ketosis Tracker

Key output metrics

HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Level

How to understand and use this calculator

Insulin Resistance: The Silent Driver of Metabolic Disease

The Mathematics of HOMA-IR and QUICKI

Insulin Sensitivity Percentage and Action Steps

Frequently Asked Questions