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Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Blood

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

COMMON RANGE

78.2 – 97.9

67.7

102

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Adult

↗

See all sources ↓

Reference ranges across 10+ sources

Adult reference ranges from 4 entries across 4 named sources, shown in fL. Compare side-by-side.

SOURCE

SEX

AGE

RANGE

VISUAL

CITE

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

All

≥18y

78.2 – 97.9 fL

↗

Labcorp

All

≥18y

79 – 97 fL

↗

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All

≥18y

82 – 98 fL

↗

JSCC / JAMT Japan

All

≥18y

85 – 99 fL

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

All · ≥18y

↗

78.2 – 97.9 fL

Labcorp

All · ≥18y

↗

79 – 97 fL

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All · ≥18y

↗

82 – 98 fL

JSCC / JAMT Japan

All · ≥18y

85 – 99 fL

Ages 0–17 (CALIPER)

PEDIATRIC

4 age- and sex-stratified entries from the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals.

SOURCE

SEX

AGE

RANGE

VISUAL

CITE

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All

0–1y

70.5 – 94.9 fL

↗

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All

1y–4y

72.8 – 85.2 fL

↗

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All

4y–14y

77.4 – 89.9 fL

↗

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All

14y–21y

77.6 – 95.7 fL

↗

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All · 0–1y

↗

70.5 – 94.9 fL

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All · 1y–4y

↗

72.8 – 85.2 fL

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All · 4y–14y

↗

77.4 – 89.9 fL

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

All · 14y–21y

↗

77.6 – 95.7 fL

About Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells.

Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and make energy. If your red blood cells are too small or too large, it could be a sign of a blood disorder such as anemia, a lack of certain vitamins, or other medical conditions.

MCV is one of the main numbers used to sort out what type of anemia someone may have. Red blood cells that are smaller than normal (low MCV) are called microcytic, cells that are larger than normal (high MCV) are called macrocytic, and cells of normal size are called normocytic.

Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

Useful for

An MCV blood test is often part of a complete blood count (CBC), a group of tests that measures the number and type of cells in your blood.

Used to check your general health.

Helps your provider figure out what type of anemia you may have, since cells that are too small, too large, or normal-sized point to different causes.

Often looked at together with the red cell distribution width (RDW), which can help separate iron deficiency from inherited conditions like thalassemia.

Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

Interpretation

An MCV test alone cannot diagnose any disease. Your provider will use the results of your MCV, other test results, and your medical history to make a diagnosis.

A low MCV (microcytic cells) is most often linked to iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, or some long-term illnesses. A high MCV (macrocytic cells) is often seen with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, heavy alcohol use, certain medicines, or thyroid and liver disease.

It's also possible to have anemia with a normal MCV. Your provider can explain what your specific result means for you.

For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.

Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

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Related biomarkers

Often tested alongside mean corpuscular volume (mcv) or part of the same panel.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Blood

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Blood

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Blood

Hematocrit (Hct)

Blood

Platelets (PLT)

Blood

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)

Blood

Sources

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Labcorp

Nordic Reference Interval Project

JSCC / JAMT Japan

CALIPER — Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals

Last updated 2026-05-02

This page aggregates publicly available reference data and clinical information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories and other sources. For general wellness information only — not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.

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