HOMA-IR Calculator — Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance
Calculate HOMA-IR from fasting insulin and fasting glucose to quantify insulin resistance and screen for metabolic syndrome and early Type 2 Diabetes.
HOMA-IR Calculator
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This calculator is for informational and educational purposes. Results should be interpreted with clinical judgment and local guidelines.
What is HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance)?
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a mathematical model developed by Matthews et al. in 1985 to estimate insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin levels. In healthy individuals, fasting glucose and insulin maintain a homeostatic feedback loop. As tissues become resistant to insulin (insulin resistance), the pancreas secretes higher baseline levels of insulin to keep fasting blood glucose in the normal range. HOMA-IR quantifies this hyperinsulinemic compensation. It correlates strongly with the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (the gold standard research method) while requiring only a single fasting blood sample, making it ideal for clinical assessment of Metabolic Syndrome, PCOS, and prediabetes.
HOMA-IR (Conventional Units) = [Fasting Glucose (mg/dL) × Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)] / 405. HOMA-IR (SI Units) = [Fasting Glucose (mmol/L) × Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)] / 22.5. Normal: < 1.0; Optimal: < 1.9; Elevated Insulin Resistance: > 2.9.
When to Use the HOMA-IR Calculator
- Screening for occult insulin resistance in individuals with normal fasting glucose but clinical features of Metabolic Syndrome (central obesity, acanthosis nigricans, dyslipidemia).
- Evaluating insulin resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to guide lifestyle and metformin therapy.
- Assessing cardiovascular metabolic risk in non-diabetic individuals with family history of Type 2 Diabetes.
HOMA-IR Mathematical Formula
Conventional Formula (Glucose in mg/dL)
HOMA-IR = [Fasting Glucose (mg/dL) × Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)] / 405
Fasting Glucose = 95 mg/dL, Fasting Insulin = 10 µIU/mL → HOMA-IR = (95 × 10) / 405 = 950 / 405 = 2.35
SI Units Formula (Glucose in mmol/L)
HOMA-IR = [Fasting Glucose (mmol/L) × Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)] / 22.5
Fasting Glucose = 5.28 mmol/L, Fasting Insulin = 10 µIU/mL → HOMA-IR = (5.28 × 10) / 22.5 = 2.35
Variables
Fasting Glucose (mg/dL (or mmol/L))
Blood glucose after an 8–12 hour overnight fast.
Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL (or mIU/L))
Serum insulin level after an 8–12 hour overnight fast.
405 is the constant derived from normalizing fasting glucose (5 mmol/L = 90 mg/dL) × fasting insulin (5 µIU/mL) = 22.5 (22.5 × 18 = 405).
HOMA-IR Score Cutoffs & Clinical Interpretation
General population cutoffs for insulin resistance.
| Range | Classification | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| < 1.0 | Optimal Insulin Sensitivity | High insulin sensitivity; low metabolic risk. |
| 1.0–1.9 | Normal / Mildly Elevated | Healthy baseline for most healthy adults. |
| 2.0–2.9 | Early Insulin Resistance | Subclinical insulin resistance. Lifestyle modifications recommended. |
| ≥ 3.0 | Significant Insulin Resistance | Significant insulin resistance. Strongly associated with PCOS, Metabolic Syndrome, and future T2DM. |
Specific cutoffs vary by ethnicity and assay methodology. In South Asian populations, a HOMA-IR cutoff of > 2.0 is often used for insulin resistance due to higher body fat percentage at lower BMI.
Limitations & Clinical Warnings
Requires strict 8–12 hour fasting state. Non-fasting samples severely distort results.
Not applicable in patients taking exogenous insulin (insulin antibodies interfere with immunoassay).
In severe beta-cell failure (advanced T2DM), insulin levels fall, causing falsely low HOMA-IR despite extreme insulin deficiency.
Medical Disclaimer
HOMA-IR is an assessment tool for research and clinical risk stratification. Integrate with HbA1c, lipid panel, and waist circumference.
References & Citations
- Matthews DR, Hosker JP, Rudenski AS, et al.. “Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and beta-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man”. Diabetologia. 1985. 28(7): 412–419. PMID: 3899825 | DOI: 10.1007/BF00280883
- Wallace TM, Levy JC, Matthews DR. “Use and abuse of HOMA modeling”. Diabetes Care. 2004. 27(6): 1487–1495. PMID: 15161807 | DOI: 10.2337/diacare.27.6.1487
Medically Reviewed
Reviewed by CliniqWise Clinical Advisory Board — Endocrinology Panel · Last updated: 2026-08-27 · Next review: 2027-02-27
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