CBC 16 values Updated Apr 17, 2026

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Complete Blood Count (CBC) (CBC) is a blood test panel that measures several core blood cell values and related lab report markers. It commonly includes hemoglobin (Hgb), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), platelet count (PLT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and neutrophils. CBC results are used to organize basic information about blood composition in a standard lab report format. Because CBC is one of the most commonly ordered panels, it often appears in routine blood test records and trend tracking over time.

Read the CBC guide

What Is a CBC?

CBC stands for Complete Blood Count (CBC). It is one of the most commonly ordered lab panels in routine blood testing. The CBC blood test includes values that describe how many cells are present and how those cells are sized or grouped. Key values include hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count (PLT). It also includes red blood cell indices such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW). Some CBC reports also show mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophils as part of the white blood cell breakdown.

Why Is It Ordered?

A CBC blood test is commonly included in routine checkups, pre-procedure screening, and ongoing health monitoring. It provides a snapshot of blood composition over time, which makes it useful for tracking changes across multiple lab report entries. Complete Blood Count (CBC) results can be compared from one blood test to the next to show trends in Hgb, WBC, RBC, Hct, and PLT. Because CBC is broad and familiar, it is often used as a standard reference point in a personal lab report collection.

What Does It Include?

The CBC panel is usually grouped by blood cell type. Red blood cell values include hemoglobin (Hgb), red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), and red cell indices such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW). White blood cell values include the total white blood cell count (WBC) and often a breakdown that includes neutrophils. Platelet values include platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV). These values help organize Complete Blood Count (CBC) results into a clear lab report format. When a CBC blood test is listed with a normal CBC range, each value is usually compared against the lab’s own reference interval. Small differences in the CBC can reflect changes in cell number, size, or distribution rather than a single fixed pattern.

Tests in This Panel

Hemoglobin

Hgb

Hemoglobin (Hgb) is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. On a lab report or blood test, Hgb helps show how much oxygen-carrying material is present in the blood and is usually reported as part of a CBC. Hemoglobin reference range values vary by age, sex, altitude, and lab method, so the Hemoglobin test result is best read with related markers such as hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

Adult Male g/dL
13.5
17.5

White Blood Cell Count

WBC

White Blood Cell Count (WBC) is a lab value that measures how many white blood cells are present in a blood sample. On a lab report, WBC helps describe immune-cell concentration in the blood and is commonly included in a complete blood count (CBC).

Adult Male x10^3/µL
4
11

Red Blood Cell Count

RBC

Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) is a measure of how many red blood cells are present in a given volume of blood. RBC on a blood test helps describe blood composition and is commonly reported on a CBC, where it is read alongside related markers such as hematocrit (Hct) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

Adult Male million cells/µL
4.5
5.9

Hematocrit

Hct

Hematocrit (Hct) is the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells. On a Hematocrit on a blood test, Hct helps describe how concentrated the red cell portion is compared with plasma. It is commonly included in a CBC and is read with RBC and MCV for a fuller picture of blood composition.

Adult Male %
41
53

Platelet Count

PLT

Platelet Count (PLT) is a lab value that measures the number of platelets in blood. PLT appears on a blood test, especially a complete blood count (CBC), and helps describe the cell makeup of the sample. A Platelet Count lab report result is often reviewed with other CBC markers to understand overall blood composition.

Adult Male x10^3/µL
150
450

Mean Corpuscular Volume

MCV

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) is the average size of red blood cells measured in a blood sample. On a lab report or blood test, MCV helps describe red cell size as part of a CBC and is often read with other red blood cell markers. It is a numerical summary, not a stand-alone conclusion, and is used to compare a person’s result with the Mean Corpuscular Volume normal range.

Adult Male fL
80
100

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

MCH

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) is the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell, reported as part of the CBC and often abbreviated as MCH. On a blood test or lab report, it helps describe red blood cell composition alongside markers such as MCV, RBC, and hematocrit (Hct).

Adult Male pg
27
33.2

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration

MCHC

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) is a CBC measurement that shows how concentrated hemoglobin is inside red blood cells. MCHC on a blood test helps describe red cell composition alongside markers like MCV, MCH, hematocrit (Hct), and red blood cell count (RBC).

Adult Male g/dL
32
36

Red Cell Distribution Width

RDW

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is a CBC value that shows how much red blood cell size varies from cell to cell. On a Red Cell Distribution Width blood test, the result helps describe whether the red cell population is fairly uniform or more mixed in size. RDW is often read together with MCV, RBC, Hct, and hemoglobin for a fuller view of red cell measurements.

Adult Male %
11.5
14.5

Mean Platelet Volume

MPV

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a CBC lab value that shows the average size of platelets in the blood. On a lab report, MPV helps describe platelet production and turnover, and it is often read alongside the platelet count and other CBC markers. A high MPV or low MPV can shift the overall pattern of the blood test without pointing to one single explanation.

Adult Male fL
7.5
11.5

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell measured on a CBC. A Neutrophils test result usually appears as a percentage or absolute count and helps describe the balance of white blood cells on a blood test. The Neutrophils normal range can vary by lab method and reporting format.

Adult Male %
40
70

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes is a white blood cell measure that shows how much of the total white blood cell count is made up of Lymphocytes. On a blood test, it is usually reported as a percentage in the CBC and helps describe the balance of white blood cell types in the blood.

Adult Male %
20
40

Monocytes

Monocytes is a white blood cell measurement reported on a complete blood count (CBC). It shows the share or number of Monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in a blood sample. On a lab report, Monocytes helps describe the overall white blood cell pattern and is often read with other CBC values.

Adult Male %
2
8

Eosinophils

Eosinophils is a white blood cell type measured on a blood test, usually as part of a CBC. Eosinophils on a lab report helps describe the makeup of the white blood cell portion of blood and how that mix compares with other CBC markers.

Adult Male %
0
5

Basophils

Basophils is a white blood cell subtype that appears on a CBC and is reported as part of the blood’s cell differential. On a Basophils on a blood test, it shows how much of the white cell mix is made up of basophils, which helps describe the overall makeup of the blood report.

Adult Male %
0
1

Reticulocytes

Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. On a lab report or blood test, Reticulocytes help show how actively the body is making new red blood cells and are often reviewed with CBC results.

Adult Male %
0.5
2.5

How to Prepare

A CBC blood test usually does not require fasting, though the lab order may list special instructions. Typical preparation is simple: bring the lab request or order details, and the sample is usually collected from a standard blood draw. Complete Blood Count (CBC) results are then reported with the measured values and the lab’s reference ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CBC stand for?
CBC stands for Complete Blood Count (CBC). It is a standard blood test panel listed in many lab report systems. The abbreviation CBC is commonly used on orders and results.
What does a CBC blood test measure?
A CBC blood test measures major blood cell values, including hemoglobin (Hgb), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), and platelet count (PLT). It also includes red cell indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW, plus MPV and often neutrophils. The CBC helps organize these values into one lab report.
Do I need to fast for a CBC test?
A CBC test usually does not require fasting. Some lab orders may include other blood tests at the same time, and those can have different instructions. The CBC itself is commonly collected without fasting.
What's the difference between CBC and a basic metabolic panel?
CBC and a basic metabolic panel measure different kinds of lab report values. CBC focuses on blood cell values such as Hgb, WBC, RBC, Hct, and PLT, while a basic metabolic panel focuses on chemical measures in the blood. They are often ordered together, but they are not the same blood test.
What are normal CBC ranges?
Normal CBC range values depend on the lab and the reference interval shown on the report. A CBC result is interpreted by comparing each value, such as Hgb, WBC, RBC, Hct, and PLT, with that lab’s stated range. The numbers may also vary by age, sex, and testing method.
How often is a CBC test ordered?
The CBC test is often ordered during routine checkups, before procedures, or during ongoing lab monitoring. The frequency depends on the reason it appears in the blood test record. Some people have CBC results recorded periodically to compare trends over time.
How are flagged CBC values read on a lab report?
Flagged CBC values are usually marked as high or low relative to the lab’s reference range. The flag does not stand alone; it is shown next to the value, such as Hgb, WBC, RBC, Hct, PLT, or RDW, so the result can be read in context. Complete Blood Count (CBC) results are best viewed as a group of related values rather than one number.
Why can CBC results vary between labs?
CBC results can vary between labs because reference ranges, instruments, and reporting methods are not always identical. Even when the same blood test is used, the normal CBC range may differ slightly from one lab report to another. This is why the lab’s own reference interval matters when comparing CBC values.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare professional.