hCG Levels by Week
Enter how far along you are (weeks since the first day of your last period) and your blood hCG result to see the typical reference range for that week and where your number falls on a log-scale chart. For information only; your provider interprets hCG results.
Last updated:
Quantitative (beta) blood hCG. 1 mIU/mL = 1 IU/L.
How to use the hCG Levels by Week
- Choose how to date the pregnancy: weeks since your last period, or the last period date plus the test date.
- Enter your hCG result from a quantitative (beta) blood test, in mIU/mL.
- Press Check hCG level to compare it with the typical range for that week.
- Look at the chart to see your result against every week's range.
- If you have two results, use the hCG Doubling Time Calculator to see how fast the level is rising.
Typical hCG ranges by week
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is made by the developing placenta. The ranges below are the reference values most often quoted in patient guides, counted in weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). Labs may use slightly different ranges.
| Weeks since LMP | Typical hCG range (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks | 5 – 50 |
| 4 weeks | 5 – 426 |
| 5 weeks | 18 – 7,340 |
| 6 weeks | 1,080 – 56,500 |
| 7 – 8 weeks | 7,650 – 229,000 |
| 9 – 12 weeks | 25,700 – 288,000 |
| 13 – 16 weeks | 13,300 – 254,000 |
| 17 – 24 weeks | 4,060 – 165,400 |
| 25 – 40 weeks | 3,640 – 117,000 |
| Not pregnant | under 5 |
Why the chart uses a log scale
In early pregnancy hCG grows exponentially, so the high end of a week's range can be hundreds of times the low end. On an ordinary scale the early weeks would be invisible. A logarithmic scale spaces 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 evenly, which shows each range fairly. The "position within the range" uses the same idea:
position = (log hCG − log low) ÷ (log high − log low) × 100%
For example, 1,500 mIU/mL at 5 weeks: (3.176 − 1.255) ÷ (3.866 − 1.255) ≈ 74% of the way up the 5-week range.
Getting the most from your results
- Use the date of the blood draw, not the date you got the result, when you count weeks.
- Compare results from the same lab where possible.
- Two results 48 hours apart say much more than one; see how fast yours is rising with the doubling-time calculator.
- Seek care promptly for severe pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness or shoulder pain, whatever your hCG level.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal hCG level at 4, 5 and 6 weeks?
Commonly cited reference ranges, counted from the first day of the last period, are about 5–426 mIU/mL at 4 weeks, 18–7,340 mIU/mL at 5 weeks and 1,080–56,500 mIU/mL at 6 weeks. The ranges are wide because women ovulate and implant on different days.
What hCG level means pregnant?
A blood hCG under 5 mIU/mL is generally considered negative, and a value of 25 mIU/mL or more is generally considered positive. Results between 5 and 24 are equivocal and are usually repeated after two or three days.
Is one hCG number enough to tell if a pregnancy is healthy?
No. A single value only shows where you are within a very wide range. In early pregnancy doctors look at the trend: hCG typically rises by at least about 50 percent over 48 hours and often doubles every two to three days, and after about 6 weeks an ultrasound gives more information than hCG.
Why is my hCG higher than the range?
The most common reason is that the pregnancy is a little further along than the dates suggest. Twins or other multiples can also raise hCG. Rarely, very high levels have other causes, which your provider can check.
Why is my hCG lower than the range?
Late ovulation or implantation can make hCG look low for the dates, especially early on. Low or slowly rising levels can also be seen with pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy, so always follow up with your doctor, particularly if you have pain or bleeding.
When does hCG peak?
hCG usually peaks around 8 to 11 weeks after the last period, then falls and levels off at a lower value for the rest of pregnancy. That is why the range for 13–16 weeks is lower than for 9–12 weeks.
Are urine and blood hCG the same?
They measure the same hormone, but home urine tests only show positive or negative above a threshold (often 20–25 mIU/mL), while a quantitative blood test gives a number. This tool is for quantitative blood results.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.