About the RBC Indices Calculator
RBC indices are three values that a complete blood count (CBC) derives from three underlying measurements: hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), and red blood cell (RBC) count. Rather than treating hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC count as separate numbers, the indices combine them into a picture of the average size and hemoglobin content of a single red blood cell. That picture is one of the first things clinicians check when classifying anemia.
The three formulas
- MCV (mean corpuscular volume) = Hematocrit (%) x 10 / RBC count (million cells/uL), reported in femtoliters (fL). It answers: how big, on average, is each red blood cell?
- MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) = Hemoglobin (g/dL) x 10 / RBC count (million cells/uL), reported in picograms (pg). It answers: how much hemoglobin, on average, does each red blood cell carry?
- MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) = Hemoglobin (g/dL) / Hematocrit (%) x 100, reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL). It answers: how concentrated is the hemoglobin inside the average red blood cell, independent of cell size?
What is MCHC, specifically?
MCHC is often the most useful of the three because it does not depend on the RBC count directly — it only needs hemoglobin and hematocrit. A low MCHC (hypochromic) means red cells are, on average, paler than normal and carry less hemoglobin per unit volume; this pattern is classically seen with iron deficiency anemia. A high MCHC (hyperchromic) is uncommon and can point toward hereditary spherocytosis or a lab artifact such as sample agglutination. Typical adult reference range: roughly 32-36 g/dL.
Putting MCV, MCH, and MCHC together
Clinicians typically read MCV first to classify cell size — microcytic (small, below about 80 fL), normocytic (normal, about 80-100 fL), or macrocytic (large, above about 100 fL) — then read MCHC to classify hemoglobin concentration as hypochromic, normochromic, or hyperchromic. The combination (for example, microcytic and hypochromic, a pattern often seen with iron deficiency) narrows the likely causes of an anemia far more than any single value alone.
When to consult a professional
This calculator performs the standard MCV, MCH, and MCHC arithmetic for education and record-keeping. It does not diagnose anemia or any other condition. Any abnormal result, or any decision about treatment, should be reviewed with a licensed healthcare provider who can interpret it alongside the rest of the complete blood count and your clinical history.