{"id":66788,"date":"2026-10-13T09:01:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=66788"},"modified":"2026-10-13T09:01:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:01:28","slug":"cortisol-units-converter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/cortisol-units-converter\/","title":{"rendered":"Cortisol Units Converter"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Convert Your Cortisol Result Between \u00b5g\/dL and nmol\/L<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"66788\" data-favorite-title=\"Cortisol Units\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/cortisol-units-converter\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Convert a serum cortisol result between \u00b5g\/dL and nmol\/L instantly. Enter your lab value, pick the unit and sampling time, and see the equivalent result with typical reference ranges.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-chemistry\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/cortisol-units-converter\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-66788\" data-post=\"66788\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-2\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Cortisol concentration<\/label><div class=\"term\">Cortisol<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><div class=\"field-group\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"cortisol_concentration\" id=\"field-1\" aria-describedby=\"calc-info-1\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" placeholder=\"e.g. 12.5\" min=\"0.1\" max=\"300\" value=\"12.5\"\/><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"unit\" aria-label=\"Unit\"><option value=\"ugdl\" selected>\u00b5g\/dL<\/option><option value=\"nmoll\">nmol\/L<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><small id=\"calc-info-1\">Enter your serum cortisol value from the lab report<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-3\">Sampling time<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-3\" name=\"sampling_time\"><option value=\"morning\" selected>Morning (6\u20138 a.m.)<\/option><option value=\"afternoon\">Afternoon (4\u20136 p.m.)<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"66788\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Cortisol in \u00b5g\/dL<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">\u00b5g\/dL<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"\u00b5g\/dL\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Cortisol in nmol\/L<\/span><span class=\"result-term\">nmol\/L<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\" data-unit=\"nmol\/L\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-3\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>What this means<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-3\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"66788\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Cortisol Units Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\\[ \\text{cortisol (nmol\/L)} = \\text{cortisol (\u00b5g\/dL)} \\times 27.59 \\]\n\\[ \\text{cortisol (\u00b5g\/dL)} = \\text{cortisol (nmol\/L)} \\div 27.59 \\]<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(\\text{\u00b5g\/dL}\\) \u2014 micrograms per deciliter, the unit commonly used for cortisol in the United States<\/li>\n<li>\\(\\text{nmol\/L}\\) \u2014 nanomoles per liter, the SI unit used in most of Europe, Canada and elsewhere<\/li>\n<li>\\(27.59\\) \u2014 the conversion factor derived from the molecular weight of cortisol (362.46 g\/mol)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The factor 27.59 converts a mass concentration into a molar concentration: since 1 \u00b5g\/dL of cortisol equals 10 mg\/L, dividing by the molecular weight 362.46 g\/mol gives 0.02759 \u00b5mol\/L, i.e. 27.59 nmol\/L.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Cortisol Units \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>{code}<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> a morning lab report shows a serum cortisol of 12.5 \u00b5g\/dL and you want the value in nmol\/L.<\/p>\n<p>\\[ \\text{cortisol (nmol\/L)} = 12.5 \\times 27.59 = 344.9 \\approx 345 \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> 12.5 \u00b5g\/dL = 345 nmol\/L (12.5 \u00b5g\/dL), which lies within the typical morning reference range of 6\u201323 \u00b5g\/dL (165\u2013635 nmol\/L).<\/p>\n<p>{\/code}<\/p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to use the calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Enter your <strong>Cortisol concentration<\/strong> exactly as printed on the lab report (e.g. 12.5).<\/li>\n<li>Select the unit of your report \u2014 <strong>\u00b5g\/dL<\/strong> or <strong>nmol\/L<\/strong> \u2014 in the dropdown next to the input field.<\/li>\n<li>Choose the <strong>Sampling time<\/strong>: Morning (6\u20138 a.m.) or Afternoon (4\u20136 p.m.). This is used only to compare your result with typical reference ranges.<\/li>\n<li>Read the results: your value expressed in both <strong>\u00b5g\/dL<\/strong> and <strong>nmol\/L<\/strong>, plus a short interpretation against typical ranges for the selected time of day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What is cortisol and why do two units exist?<\/h2>\n<p>Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It regulates metabolism, blood pressure, immune responses and the body's response to stress. Because it is so central to health, cortisol is measured in blood, saliva and urine to investigate symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, high blood pressure or abnormal blood sugar.<\/p>\n<p>Laboratories report cortisol either as a mass concentration \u2014 micrograms per deciliter (\u00b5g\/dL), the convention in the United States \u2014 or as a molar concentration \u2014 nanomoles per liter (nmol\/L), the SI convention used in most other countries. The two scales differ by a factor of about 27.6, so a value that looks \"high\" in one unit can look deceptively \"normal\" in the other if read against the wrong reference range. Converting between the units lets you compare results from different labs or read international literature correctly.<\/p>\n<p>The conversion is straightforward because cortisol is a single pure substance with a known molecular weight of 362.46 g\/mol. Every \u00b5g\/dL therefore always corresponds to exactly 27.59 nmol\/L \u2014 no individual factors apply, unlike some other hormones reported in different molecular forms (see our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/testosterone-units-converter\/\">Testosterone Units converter<\/a> for an example).<\/p>\n<h2>Interpreting the result<\/h2>\n<p>A single cortisol value must always be read against the time of day the blood was drawn, because cortisol follows a strong circadian rhythm: it peaks shortly after waking and falls to roughly half by late afternoon. Typical adult morning ranges are about 6\u201323 \u00b5g\/dL (165\u2013635 nmol\/L); in the late afternoon about 2\u201313 \u00b5g\/dL (55\u2013359 nmol\/L). A morning result of 15 \u00b5g\/dL is unremarkable, but the same value drawn at 5 p.m. would be above the usual afternoon range.<\/p>\n<p>Mildly elevated values are common and often temporary \u2014 stress, pain, illness, intense exercise, pregnancy, oral estrogen or alcohol can all raise measured cortisol. Persistently high or very high values may point to Cushing syndrome and warrant further testing. Low morning cortisol can follow recent steroid medication use or, less commonly, indicate adrenal insufficiency. In all cases, a single measurement is not diagnostic: proper evaluation involves additional tests such as ACTH measurement or dexamethasone suppression testing, interpreted by a clinician.<\/p>\n<h2>Assumptions, limitations and practical tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The calculator uses the exact factor 27.59 (cortisol molecular weight 362.46 g\/mol), so conversions are valid for serum, plasma and salivary cortisol reported in mass-per-volume units.<\/li>\n<li>Reference ranges shown are typical adult values only. Actual ranges vary between laboratories, assays and age groups \u2014 always use the range printed on your own lab report when available.<\/li>\n<li>Urine free cortisol is usually reported in \u00b5g\/24 h and saliva in ng\/mL; those results cannot be converted with this tool.<\/li>\n<li>The sampling time you select affects only the interpretation, not the conversion itself.<\/li>\n<li>This tool is for information only and is not a medical diagnosis. Discuss abnormal or unexpected results with your healthcare provider.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are comparing other lab reports across unit systems, you may also find our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/creatinine-units-converter\/\">Creatinine Units converter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/cholesterol-units-converter-mg-dl-to-mmol-l\/\">Cholesterol Units converter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/converters\/hba1c-converter\/\">HbA1c converter<\/a> useful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Convert a serum cortisol result between \u00b5g\/dL and nmol\/L instantly. Enter your lab value, pick the unit and sampling time, and see the equivalent result with typical reference ranges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-66788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-converters","tag-chemistry-units"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66788"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66789,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66788\/revisions\/66789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}