TyG Index Calculator (Triglycerides × Glucose)

TyG index and its derivatives TyG-BMI and TyG-WC: insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk from fasting triglycerides and glucose — no insulin assay needed.

Free · No registration or payment

Result

TyG index: 8.59 index
Interpretation: Moderate risk: worth checking HOMA-IR and HbA1c
TyG-BMI: 227 index
TyG-WC: 756 index
BMI: 26.4 kg/m²
Triglycerides: 115 mg/dL
Fasting glucose: 94 mg/dL

Calculated per Simental-Mendía 2008; cut-offs summarized from the Sánchez-García 2020 systematic review. Reference ranges are population benchmarks from the cited sources. Laboratories use their own ranges, and interpretation depends on clinical context: discuss the result with your physician.

The result updates as you change the fields. Your data never leaves the browser.

Only upon clicking, current data is sent to generate the PDF and is not stored.

How it is calculated

The TyG index (Simental-Mendía, 2008) is the natural logarithm of half the product of fasting triglycerides and glucose in mg/dL. It reflects lipotoxicity and impaired glucose utilization — two key mechanisms of insulin resistance — and correlates with the euglycemic clamp as well as HOMA-IR, without the expensive and poorly standardized insulin assay. The derivatives TyG-BMI and TyG-WC add body weight and waist circumference, improving detection of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD.

Formula

TyG = ln[ Triglycerides (mg/dL) × Glucose (mg/dL) / 2 ] TyG-BMI = TyG × BMI (kg/m²) TyG-WC = TyG × Waist circumference (cm) Conversion: TG mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57; glucose mg/dL = mmol/L × 18.016

Limits of the method

There is no single TyG cut-off: across populations the high-risk threshold ranges from 8.5 to 9.0, and is lower in East Asian cohorts. The index is distorted by familial hypertriglyceridemia, fibrates, statins and alcohol the day before, and by acute illness. Fasting values (8–12 h) are required. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

Sources of the method

This calculation is for reference only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a prescription. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, take medication or have any doubts, discuss the result with a physician or a qualified nutrition professional.

How to calculate the TyG index

Take fasting triglycerides and glucose

Both are part of a standard blood chemistry panel. The draw must be fasting: post-meal triglycerides rise 1.5–2-fold and inflate the index.

Set the units from your report

The formula is defined for mg/dL. If your lab reports mmol/L, leave the switch on mmol/L — the calculator converts to mg/dL automatically.

Add weight, height and waist

TyG-BMI and TyG-WC detect visceral obesity and fatty liver more accurately than "plain" TyG. Measure the waist at the navel on exhalation.

TyG worked examples

Low riskTyG 8.15

TG 0.9 mmol/L, glucose 4.8 mmol/L

Both markers in the optimal zone. A metabolically healthy profile regardless of body weight.

Recheck as part of a routine check-up every 1–2 years.

Moderate riskTyG 8.94

TG 1.7 mmol/L, glucose 5.6 mmol/L

Each marker alone is "almost normal", but their product already points to insulin resistance. This profile often accompanies abdominal obesity.

Worth adding fasting insulin (HOMA-IR) and HbA1c.

High riskTyG 9.49

TG 2.6 mmol/L, glucose 6.4 mmol/L

Hypertriglyceridemia plus impaired fasting glucose: a combination typical of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. High cardiovascular risk.

A full lipid panel, liver ultrasound and endocrinology consultation are indicated.

Why TyG is gaining ground in preventive cardiology

Insulin assays are expensive, poorly standardized between labs and rarely part of routine screening. Triglycerides and glucose appear on almost every chemistry report — so TyG can be computed retrospectively from old results and tracked for years. Large cohorts (including over 100,000 participants) showed that high TyG predicts type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke and NAFLD independently of BMI and LDL.

TyG and HOMA-IR: rivals or complements

Both indices are clamp surrogates. HOMA-IR captures hepatic insulin resistance via insulin; TyG captures lipotoxicity and muscle resistance via triglycerides. In comparative studies TyG sensitivity for metabolic syndrome was 80–96%, comparable to or above HOMA-IR. Ideally look at both: a discrepancy hints where the defect lies — liver or peripheral tissues.

Interpreting the TyG index

TyG	Risk	Suggested steps
< 8.5	Low	Maintain activity and diet; recheck every 1–2 years
8.5–8.99	Moderate	Check HOMA-IR, HbA1c, waist circumference; address body weight and carbohydrates
≥ 9.0	High	Full lipid panel, liver enzymes, liver ultrasound, endocrinology/cardiology consultation

The 8.5 and 9.0 cut-offs summarize meta-analyses in European and Latin American populations; in East Asian cohorts the risk threshold is lower (≈ 8.3–8.6).

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal TyG index?

In metabolically healthy adults TyG is usually 7.8–8.4. Values from 8.5 suggest probable insulin resistance; from 9.0, high cardiometabolic risk. There is no single international cut-off — it depends on the population.

Can TyG be calculated from results in mmol/L?

Yes. Triglycerides are multiplied by 88.57 and glucose by 18.016. The calculator does this automatically when the mmol/L mode is selected.

What are TyG-BMI and TyG-WC?

They are TyG multiplied by body mass index and by waist circumference respectively. They account for adiposity and in several studies detect NAFLD and metabolic syndrome more accurately than plain TyG: risk guides are TyG-BMI above 200–210 and TyG-WC above 750–800.

Does TyG replace the insulin test and HOMA-IR?

For screening — largely yes: TyG sensitivity is comparable to HOMA-IR and the tests are cheaper and more accessible. To clarify mechanism and monitor treatment, an endocrinologist may additionally order insulin, C-peptide or an OGTT.

How can I lower the TyG index?

Triglycerides respond most to alcohol, added sugars, fructose and calorie excess; glucose to body weight and muscle activity. Losing 5–10% of weight, 150+ minutes of aerobic exercise weekly, resistance training, omega-3 and dietary fiber lower both components of the index.

Compare TyG with other markers of metabolic health:

HOMA-IR Calculator: Insulin Resistance Index →Lipid Panel Calculator: LDL, non-HDL and Atherogenic Indices →Waist Anthropometric Index Calculator (WHtR, WHR, VAI) →HbA1c ↔ Average Glucose (eAG) Converter →

Other calculators

Lab tests and metabolic health

What next

Formula breakdowns, biomarker reference ranges and nutrition articles with cited sources are in the NutriFit knowledge base.

Go to the knowledge base

Calculation