What is a glucometer? Everything you need to know
If you have 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.
What is a glucometer?
A glucometer is a device that measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your 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 (hyperglycaemia) or low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia).
CGM vs. glucometer: what’s the difference?
Glucose levels are 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.
- The test strips: insert into the meter to initiate a blood glucose check.
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 reading from interstitial fluid, which is different from the glucose reading taken via a blood drop from the finger.
- The smartphone app or receiver (display device): where you can easily view your current glucose reading 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 getting too high or too low.
CGM vs. glucometer accuracy
Fingerstick readings from a glucometer are generally considered very accurate for blood glucose. This is because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all approved glucometers to be accurate within approximately 15-20% above or below an actual reading.1 CGMs are very helpful for spotting patterns and are usually accurate enough for treatment decisions, but if the reading doesn’t match how you feel, confirm it with a fingerstick test before making treatment decisions.
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.
Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) systems
Hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems combine an insulin pump with a CGM to help keep glucose levels in range. Generally, HCL systems feature built-in algorithms that adjust insulin automatically based on real-time readings from your CGM. While you might find that you’re using your glucometer less frequently on an HCL 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 system is a tubeless pump that works with a CGM to deliver insulin automatically. Its algorithm adapts to your insulin needs over time, helping you stay in range by protecting you from highs and lows.3-4 Your handheld Omnipod 5 Controller connects 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.
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References and Disclaimers
1. American Diabetes Association. Blood Glucose Meters Can Play an Important Role in Diabetes Care | ADA. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/devices-technology/blood-glucose-meters-important-role-in-diabetes-care (accessed 2026-07-24).
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 hyperglycaemic 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 hypoglycaemic 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 hypoglycaemic 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 hyperglycaemic 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 hypoglycaemic range (<3.9mmol/L or <70mg/dL as measured by CGM) ST = 3.43% vs Omnipod 5: 2.46%, P<0.0001.
The information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual symptoms, situations, and circumstances may vary. Please consult your Healthcare Professional regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment.
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 to operate as an automated insulin delivery system when used with compatible Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM). When in automated mode, the Omnipod 5 system is designed to assist people with type 1 diabetes in achieving glycaemic targets set by their healthcare providers. It is intended to modulate (increase, decrease or pause) insulin delivery to operate within predefined threshold values using current and predicted CGM values to maintain blood glucose at variable target glucose levels, thereby reducing glucose variability. This reduction in variability is intended to lead to a reduction in the frequency, severity, and duration of both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia.
The Omnipod 5 System can also operate in a manual mode that delivers insulin at set or manually adjusted rates.
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 hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.