Hematocrit Levels: Normal Ranges for Men & Women

Normal Hematocrit (Hct) Reference Ranges

Hematocrit is the volume percentage of red blood cells in whole blood.

Population	Normal Range
Adult males	42% – 52%
Adult females	37% – 48%
Newborns	45% – 61%
Children (1-12 yrs)	32% – 44%
Pregnancy (2nd/3rd tri)	30% – 40% (physiologic anemia)

Clinical Notes

• Altitude increases Hct (compensatory erythropoiesis).
• Dehydration falsely elevates; overhydration lowers.
• Anemia: Hct below range. Polycythemia: above range.
• Always interpret with hemoglobin, RBC count, indices (MCV, MCHC), and clinical context.