Normal ranges for the 14 parameters of a CBC for an adult

In 2026, clinical laboratories in India (like Apollo and Metropolis) typically follow standard international reference ranges. However, it is important to check the "Reference Range" column on your specific lab report, as different machines can have slight variations.

Here are the typical normal ranges for the 14 parameters of a CBC for an adult:

1. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Parameters

Test	Normal Range (Male)	Normal Range (Female)
RBC Count	4.35 – 5.65 trillion/L	3.92 – 5.13 trillion/L
Hemoglobin (Hb)	13.2 – 16.6 g/dL	11.6 – 15.0 g/dL
Hematocrit (Hct)	38.3% – 48.6%	35.5% – 44.9%
MCV (Size)	80 – 100 fL	80 – 100 fL
MCH (Weight)	27 – 31 pg	27 – 31 pg
MCHC (Concentration)	32 – 36 g/dL	32 – 36 g/dL

2. White Blood Cell (WBC) Parameters

The total WBC count is the same for both genders, but the "Differential" is often measured in Absolute Counts (cells per microliter).

• Total WBC Count: 4,000 – 11,000 cells/µL

The Differential (The 5 Types):

WBC Type	Normal Percentage	Absolute Count Range
Neutrophils	40% – 60%	1,500 – 7,500 cells/µL
Lymphocytes	20% – 40%	1,000 – 4,800 cells/µL
Monocytes	2% – 8%	200 – 800 cells/µL
Eosinophils	1% – 4%	0 – 450 cells/µL
Basophils	0.5% – 1%	0 – 200 cells/µL

3. Platelet Parameters

Test	Normal Range
Platelet Count	150,000 – 450,000 /µL
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)	7.0 – 11.0 fL

---

Important Notes for 2026

• The "Dehydration" Effect: In a hot climate like Delhi, if you haven't had enough water before your test, your Hematocrit and MCHC might appear slightly higher than normal.

• Smog/Pollution: Chronic exposure to high AQI (pollution) can sometimes cause a slight increase in the RBC Count as the body tries to compensate for lower oxygen quality.

• Short-term Spikes: A high Neutrophil count usually points to a bacterial infection, while high Lymphocytes often suggest your body is fighting a virus (like the common flu).

Note: If any of your values are marked with an 'H' (High) or 'L' (Low), don't panic! Doctors look at the trends between these numbers rather than one single value.