Absolute Neutrophil Count Calculator
The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is the number of neutrophils, the main bacteria-fighting white blood cells, per microlitre of blood. It is central to assessing the risk of infection, especially in patients on chemotherapy, where a low ANC defines neutropenia. The ANC is derived from the white blood cell count and the percentage of neutrophils (segmented neutrophils plus bands) on the differential. This tool does the arithmetic; clinical interpretation is for a clinician.
Absolute neutrophil count formula
ANC = white blood cell count * (segmented % + bands %) / 100
The white blood cell count is in cells per microlitre and the neutrophil and band figures are percentages of the total white count. Adding segmented neutrophils and bands captures all mature and immature neutrophils. The result is in cells per microlitre.
Worked example
For a white count of 5,000 cells/mcL with 50% segmented neutrophils and 5% bands: ANC = 5,000 * (50 + 5) / 100 = 5,000 * 0.55 = 2,750 cells/mcL. An ANC above 1,500 is generally considered normal, but cut-offs are clinical.
Frequently asked questions
What ANC counts as neutropenia?
Neutropenia is commonly defined as an ANC below 1,500 cells/mcL, with severe neutropenia below 500, but exact thresholds and the associated infection risk are clinical judgements not made by this tool.
Why add bands to segmented neutrophils?
Bands are immature neutrophils. Both bands and segmented (mature) neutrophils contribute to fighting infection, so the ANC includes both. Some laboratories report only segmented neutrophils; enter zero for bands if they are not reported.
What if my lab reports the count in cells per litre?
The formula is unit-agnostic for the white count: enter the white count in whatever absolute unit your lab uses and the ANC will be in the same unit. The percentages stay the same.
Is this a clinical decision tool?
No. It computes the ANC arithmetically. Decisions about infection risk, isolation, or treatment are made by a clinician using the full clinical picture.
Sources
- U.S. National Cancer Institute: Absolute Neutrophil Count definition.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus: Blood Differential Test.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 19 June 2026. Educational tool, not medical advice. See our methodology.