# HOMA-IR Insulin Resistance Calculator Calculate HOMA-IR and QUICKI scores to assess insulin resistance and sensitivity from fasting insulin and glucose levels. --- - **Canonical URL:** https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/insulin-resistance-homa-calculator - **Category:** Health and fitness - **Publisher:** Do The Calculation (https://dothecalculation.com) - **Cost:** Free, no account or sign-up required - **Privacy:** Runs entirely in the browser; inputs are never sent to a server - **Methodology:** https://dothecalculation.com/methodology - **Reviewed by:** Dr. Robert Chen, PhD, PhD in Nutritional Science, UC Berkeley (https://dothecalculation.com/about/team/robert-chen) --- ## Calculate HOMA-IR & Insulin Sensitivity Compute Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and QUICKI indexes to screen for subclinical metabolic dysfunction. - HOMA-IR fasting glucose and insulin ratio - QUICKI quantitative insulin sensitivity index - Clinically validated metabolic resistance classification ## 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](/calculators/glycemic-load-meal-calculator) and [GKI ketosis calculator](/calculators/ketosis-target-gki-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](/calculators/calorie-calculator) and [macro calculator](/calculators/macro-calculator). ## How to Use This Calculator Enter your fasting insulin level from a lab panel (in µIU/mL) and your fasting glucose level, selecting mg/dL or mmol/L to match your lab report. The calculator multiplies insulin by glucose (converted to mg/dL if needed) and divides by 405 to get HOMA-IR, then derives QUICKI and an insulin sensitivity percentage from the same two readings. ## Worked Example: 8.5 µIU/mL Insulin, 90 mg/dL Glucose Fasting insulin 8.5 µIU/mL, fasting glucose 90 mg/dL. HOMA-IR: \((8.5 \times 90) / 405 \approx 1.89\) — just under the 1.9 threshold, so it lands in the **Mild Insulin Resistance (Borderline)** band rather than "Early Insulin Resistance." QUICKI: \(1 / (\log_{10}(8.5) + \log_{10}(90)) \approx 0.347\), and insulin sensitivity: \(100 / 1.89 \approx 52.9\%\) — roughly half of optimal, a useful early flag to tighten up diet and training before glucose itself starts drifting. ## Related Calculators Pair this reading with your [meal glycemic load calculator](/calculators/glycemic-load-meal-calculator) results and your [GKI ketosis calculator](/calculators/ketosis-target-gki-calculator) score to build a complete picture of your metabolic health. If you already have a lab A1C result, the [A1C to Average Blood Sugar Calculator](/calculators/a1c-average-blood-sugar-calculator) converts it into the same mg/dL scale your meter uses. ## 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. ## Related guides - [BMI Calculation Guide: Formula, Ranges, and Limits](https://dothecalculation.com/blog/health/bmi-calculation-guide) — Calculate adult BMI by hand, understand the standard ranges, and learn why BMI is a screening measure rather than a diagnosis. ## Related calculators - [GKI Ketosis Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/ketosis-target-gki-calculator) — Compute your Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) to accurately track and monitor therapeutic ketosis levels for a low-carb diet plan. - [BMI Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/bmi-calculator) — Calculate your Body Mass Index and discover your healthy weight range instantly using height and weight for accurate results. - [3D Body Composition Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/body-composition-3d-calculator) — Estimate body fat percentage, lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, and fat-free mass index (FFMI) using detailed body measurements. - [Body Fat Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/body-fat-calculator) — Estimate your body fat percentage using common measurements like waist, neck, and height for a quick, accurate fitness assessment. - [Framingham Cardiac Risk Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/cardiac-risk-framingham-calculator) — Estimate your 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using the trusted Framingham risk score algorithm and health factors. - [Meal Glycemic Load Calculator](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/glycemic-load-meal-calculator) — Calculate the total glycemic load of your daily meals and see an impact classification for better blood sugar management. --- _This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or physician before starting any new diet, exercise, or health program, or making decisions based on these metrics._ --- _Source: [Do The Calculation](https://dothecalculation.com/calculators/insulin-resistance-homa-calculator). Quote freely with attribution and a link to this page._