Creatinine levels: what's normal, high and low
A waste product cleared by your kidneys. Levels reflect how well your kidneys are filtering.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Creatinine is measured with a standard blood draw after an 8–12 hour fast. A typical reference range is 0.740 – 1.35 mg/dL (male, age 18+; more bands below). At TestWell it's $20.99 all-in as Basic Metabolic Panel, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- mg/dL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- 8–12 hours
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $20.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ
Creatinine Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| Male, age 18+ | 0.740 – 1.35 mg/dL |
| Female, age 18+ | 0.590 – 1.04 mg/dL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
What your Creatinine result may mean
Often reflects reduced kidney function, dehydration, or high muscle mass; medications can also raise it.
What a high Creatinine means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Can reflect low muscle mass, pregnancy, or, in rare cases, severe muscle wasting.
What a low Creatinine means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
How do you get a Creatinine test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Creatinine is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Metabolic Panel | This marker only | $20.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Creatinine: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $20.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $21.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $22.99 |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Frequently asked
Often reflects reduced kidney function, dehydration, or high muscle mass; medications can also raise it. A single result above the reference range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician — often a repeat test and related markers — not a diagnosis on its own.
Ready to test your creatinine?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $20.99.