Formulas used by automated complete blood count (CBC) machines to calculate CBC parameters

Parameter	Units	Formula
Hematocrit (HCT)	%	HCT = RBC (millions/microL) × MCV (fL) ÷ 10
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)	Femtoliters (fL)	MCV = 10 × HCT (%) ÷ RBC count (millions/microL)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)	Picograms/RBC	MCH = Hb (g/dL) × 10 ÷ RBC (millions/microL)
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)	Grams/deciliter (g/dL)	MCHC = Hb (g/dL) × 100 ÷ HCT (%)

HCT and MCV can either be measured directly or calculated. Refer to UpToDate discussion of the automated CBC for details.

CBC: complete blood count; RBC: red blood cell.

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