Diabetes Carb Counter Calculator
Count carbohydrates and calculate insulin bolus doses using the 500 rule (ICR) and 1800 rule (ISF). Includes correction dose for high blood glucose.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
Total bolus dose (units)
5.5
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the total carbohydrates in your planned meal in grams.
- Input your Total Daily Dose (TDD) of insulin.
- Enter your current blood glucose in mg/dL and your target blood glucose.
- Review the suggested insulin-to-carb ratio and correction bolus.
- Always confirm dosing decisions with your endocrinologist or diabetes care team.
How the result changes with Total daily insulin dose (units)
| Total daily insulin dose (units) | Total bolus dose (units) |
|---|---|
| 31 | 4.2 |
| 106 | 14.5 |
| 195 | 26.7 |
| 270 | 36.9 |
What each input means
- Meal carbohydrates (g)
- Total grams of carbohydrates in the meal.
- Total daily insulin dose (units)
- Total units of insulin taken per day (basal + bolus).
- Current blood glucose (mg/dL)
- Pre-meal blood glucose reading.
- Target blood glucose (mg/dL)
- Desired blood glucose target (typically 100-130 mg/dL).
- Meals per day
- Number of meals to estimate daily carb intake.
What each result means
- Total bolus dose (units)
- Recommended insulin bolus = carb dose + correction dose.
- Carb bolus (units)
- Insulin to cover the meal carbohydrates.
- Correction bolus (units)
- Additional insulin to correct above-target blood glucose.
- Insulin-to-carb ratio (1:X g)
- 1 unit of insulin covers X grams of carbs (500 rule).
- Insulin sensitivity factor (mg/dL per unit)
- 1 unit of insulin lowers BG by this many mg/dL (1800 rule).
- Est. daily carbs (g)
- Rough daily carbohydrate total based on this meal size.
- Daily carb calories (kcal)
- Calories from estimated daily carbohydrate intake.
- Est. meal glycemic load
- Approximate glycemic load assuming moderate GI of 55.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersMeal carbohydrates (g) = 60, Total daily insulin dose (units) = 40, Current blood glucose (mg/dL) = 150, Target blood glucose (mg/dL) = 120 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total bolus doseTotal bolus dose5.5 = 5.5
- Calculate Carb bolusCarb bolus = mealCarbs / icr4.8 = 4.8
- Calculate Correction bolus0.7 = 0.7
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