What is a normal neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio?

In healthy adults it is usually about 1 to 2. Between 2 and 3 is a grey zone, and 3 or above usually means the body is dealing with infection, inflammation or physical stress. Below 0.7 is unusual. Large studies of healthy people put the normal range at roughly 0.8 to 3.5.

How do you calculate the NLR?

Divide the neutrophils by the lymphocytes from the same full blood count. You can use the percentages or the absolute counts, as long as both are the same kind: 60% ÷ 30% and 3.6 ÷ 1.8 both give an NLR of 2.

What causes a high NLR?

Bacterial infections, any inflammation, surgery or injury, hard exercise in the last day or two, severe stress, smoking and steroid tablets. A high NLR does not say which, so a doctor reads it with your symptoms and the rest of the blood count.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) calculator and normal range

Short answer: The healthy neutrophil lymphocyte ratio range HealthOS uses is < 2 for adults. Many labs print a wider reference range, so read your value against the one on your report too.

Free calculator

NLR calculator

NLR = neutrophils ÷ lymphocytes

Sources: Zahorec R. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives. Bratisl Lek Listy 2021;122(7):474-488.

Neutrophils

The % or the absolute count from your report

Lymphocytes

Same kind as neutrophils: both % or both counts

Your result

Enter the numbers from your lab report to see your result.

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A pointer, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor about your result, and sooner if you feel unwell.

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A simple inflammation/stress index from your white-cell mix.

Normal range

Adult reference range.

Optimal< 2 ratio
Borderline2 – 3 ratio
High≥ 3 ratio

06 ratio

What it measures

The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes, a simple and surprisingly durable index of systemic stress and inflammation. It comes free with any full blood count.

What moves it

A ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes used as a broad stress-and-inflammation signal. Acute illness, physical stress and steroids raise it.

How to bring it into range

Fat loss, sleep and recovery from training all move it. Read the trend across several panels rather than one value.

How fast it responds

Days to weeks.

Also reported as: nlr

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Common questions

What is a normal neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio?: In healthy adults it is usually about 1 to 2. Between 2 and 3 is a grey zone, and 3 or above usually means the body is dealing with infection, inflammation or physical stress. Below 0.7 is unusual. Large studies of healthy people put the normal range at roughly 0.8 to 3.5.
How do you calculate the NLR?: Divide the neutrophils by the lymphocytes from the same full blood count. You can use the percentages or the absolute counts, as long as both are the same kind: 60% ÷ 30% and 3.6 ÷ 1.8 both give an NLR of 2.
What causes a high NLR?: Bacterial infections, any inflammation, surgery or injury, hard exercise in the last day or two, severe stress, smoking and steroid tablets. A high NLR does not say which, so a doctor reads it with your symptoms and the rest of the blood count.

Related markers

Neutrophils Lymphocytes

More in Complete Blood Count

Haemoglobin Haematocrit Red Blood Cell Count Total WBC Count Platelet Count Neutrophils Lymphocytes Monocytes

Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.