What is a glucometer? Everything you need to know

If you live with diabetes, checking your blood glucose is an important part of daily management. Two common tools for this are glucometers (also called blood glucose meters) and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). But what exactly is a glucometer, and how does it compare to a CGM? This article will provide an overview of what a glucometer is, how it works, and what the key differences are between fingerstick glucose checks and continuous glucose monitoring.

Note: Omnipod® products are not interoperable with glucometers. This article is provided for educational purposes only.

What is a glucometer?

A glucometer is a device that measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your capillary blood. These devices became widely available in the 1980s, replacing older methods that required urine testing or lab visits.

Glucometers use a small drop of blood from your fingertip or other approved locations, to measure your glucose level at a given moment in time. Multiple readings taken throughout the day can help you better understand patterns and trends in your glucose levels over time.

Today, there are many kinds of blood glucose meters available. Some may have special features, such as connecting to smartphone apps for tracking trends, or allowing blood glucose checks from alternate sites, such as the palm or forearm, instead of the fingertip.

What is a glucometer used for?

A glucometer is used to measure your current blood glucose level, helping you make daily diabetes management decisions. These readings can inform decisions about when to eat, be physically active, or take insulin. They can also help confirm whether symptoms you’re experiencing may be related to high blood glucose (also called hyperglycemia) or low blood glucose (also called hypoglycemia).

CGM vs. glucometer: what’s the difference?

Glucose levels can be monitored using a CGM or a glucometer. When considering which one might be right for you, it’s important to know what the key components are for each and how they are different from one another.

Most glucometers consist of three components:

The meter: displays your blood glucose reading upon conducting a fingerstick check.
The lancing device: houses the needle (lancet) that you will use to prick your finger and draw a sample (drop) of capillary blood.
The test strips: inserts into the meter and initiates a blood glucose check when provided with the sample of blood.

A CGM system also includes three parts:

The sensor: sticks to the body using an adhesive patch, with a thin filament inserted under the skin. Every few minutes it takes a glucose reading from interstitial fluid, which is different from the glucose reading taken via the blood drop from a finger.
The transmitter: is built into the sensor or can be clipped onto the sensor. It communicates the reading wirelessly to the display device.
The display device (smartphone app or receiver): where you can easily view your current glucose value and track the direction of your glucose levels, as well as trends over time.

Here are the key differences:

Glucometers measure your blood glucose at a single point in time. It tells you what your glucose level is right now, but not how it has changed throughout the day.
CGMs continuously track glucose levels throughout the day and night. A CGM shows trends over time and can provide alerts when glucose levels are predicted to be above or below your desired target range.

CGM vs. glucometer accuracy

Fingerstick readings from a glucometer are generally considered accurate for blood glucose; this is because governing bodies like Health Canada require all approved glucometers to be accurate within +/-15% of an actual reading.¹ CGMs are very helpful for spotting patterns and many are indicated for making treatment decisions based on the sensor value and trend; but if symptoms don't match the sensor glucose reading or if your symptoms do not match the reading on your CGM, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and check your blood sugar with a glucometer.

It’s also important to remember that factors such as damaged or outdated glucometer test strips, or extreme temperatures, residue on your skin, and other variables could result in inaccurate readings, whether you’re using a glucometer or CGM.² Contact the manufacturer of your glucometer or CGM if you have accuracy concerns.

Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) systems

Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems combine an insulin pump with a CGM sensor to help keep glucose levels in range. Generally, AID systems feature built-in algorithms that adjust insulin automatically based on real-time readings from the CGM sensor. While you might find that you’re using your glucometer less frequently on an AID system, it’s important to remember to keep a blood glucose meter available as part of your backup plan for managing diabetes.

Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System

The Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is a tubeless pump that works with a compatible sensor to deliver insulin automatically. Its algorithm adapts to your insulin needs over time, helping you stay in range and helping protect from highs and lows.^3-4 The handheld Omnipod 5 Controller connects to the Pod via Bluetooth®, giving you a discreet, wireless way to manage settings.

Your diabetes care team can help you decide which combination works best for your lifestyle. Learn more about which CGM sensors are compatible with Omnipod 5 here.

Glucometer FAQs

Do I need a prescription for a glucometer?

Are glucometers covered by insurance?

How much does a glucometer cost?

How should I choose the right glucometer?

How long does a glucometer last?

Can an Apple Watch or smartphone app replace a glucometer?

Jessica Sparks Lilley is a pediatric endocrinologist and the senior manager of field medical affairs at Insulet Corporation. She was drawn to her career field by beloved family members who were diagnosed in early childhood with T1DM. She trained at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her passion for her home state drew her to practice in rural Mississippi for 13 years, first building an academic satellite clinic then a new multispecialty clinic with far-flung outreach, each from the ground up. She had a regular column in Medscape, “It’s a Small World,” on a variety of topics in pediatric endocrinology. Her research focused on diabetes numeracy and inherited lipid disorders. She has actively supported Breakthrough T1D and the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. She is passionate about expanding access of diabetes technology to people living with diabetes and joined Insulet in 2024 after seeing the transformative impact of automated insulin delivery in her patients and loved ones.

References and Disclaimers

1. Government of Canada. Notice: New Requirements for Medical Device Licence Applications for Lancing Devices and Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medical-devices/activities/announcements/notice-new-requirements-medical-device-licence-applications-lancing-devices-blood-glucose-monitoring-systems.html (accessed 2026-10-21).

2. Castro, R. 10 Tips to Accurately Measure Your Blood Sugar Levels; 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/blood-glucose-monitors/faq-20057902 (accessed 2026-07-24).

3. Brown S. et al. Diabetes Care. 2021;44:1630-1640. Prospective pivotal trial in 240 participants with T1D aged 6 - 70 yrs. Study included a 14-day standard therapy (ST) phase followed by a 3-month Omnipod 5 hybrid closed-loop (HCL) phase. Mean time in range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L or 70-180mg/dL) in adults/adolescents as measured by CGM: ST = 64.7%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 73.9%, P<0.0001. Mean time in range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L or 70-180mg/dL) in children as measured by CGM: ST = 52.5%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 68.0%, P<0.0001. Mean time in hyperglycemic range (>10.0 mmol/L or >180mg/dL) as measured by CGM in adults/adolescents and children ST vs. 3-mo Omnipod 5: 28.9% vs. 22.8%; 44.8% vs 29.7%, P<0.0001, respectively. Mean time in hypoglycemic range in adults/adolescents (<3.9 mmol/L or <70mg/dL as measured by CGM) as measured by CGM: ST = 1.89%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 1.32%, P<0.0001. Mean time in hypoglycemic range in children (<3.9 mmol/L or <70mg/dL as measured by CGM): ST = 2.21%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 1.78%, P<0.0456.

4. Sherr J. et al. Diabetes Care. 2022; 45:1907-1910. Single-arm multicenter clinical trial in 80 pre-school children (aged 2-5.9 yrs) with T1D. Study included a 14-daystandard therapy (ST) phase followed by a 3-month AID phase with Omnipod 5system. Mean time in range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L or 70-180mg/dL) as measured by CGM in children ST vs. 3-mo Omnipod 5: 57.2% vs 68.1%, P<0.0001. Mean time in hyperglycemic range (>10.0 mmol/L or >180mg/dL) as measured by CGM in children ST vs. 3-mo Omnipod 5: 39.4% vs. 29.5%, P<0.0001, respectively. Mean time in hypoglycemic range (<3.9mmol/L or <70mg/dL as measured by CGM) ST = 3.43% vs Omnipod 5: 2.46%, P<0.0001.

The Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is a single hormone insulin delivery system intended to deliver U-100 insulin subcutaneously for the management of type 1 diabetes in persons aged 2 and older requiring insulin. The Omnipod 5 System is intended for single patient use. The Omnipod 5 System is indicated for use with NovoLog®/NovoRapid®, Humalog® / Liprolog®, Admelog® / Insulin lispro Sanofi®, Trurapi® / Insulin aspart Sanofi®, and Kirsty® U-100 insulin.

Refer to the Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System User Guide for complete safety information including indications, contraindications, warnings, cautions, and instructions. Warning: DO NOT start to use the Omnipod® 5 System or change settings without adequate training and guidance from a healthcare provider. Initiating and adjusting settings incorrectly can result in over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin, which could lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

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