Chloride
Serum chloride is tightly distributed across adulthood and typically moves in parallel with sodium, with small shifts reflecting acid-base and hydration status.
Unit: mmol/L · 12 groups · age and sex · 1 source
Filed under panels: Electrolyte Panel · topics: Metabolic , Renal , Electrolytes
Chloride by age and sex
| Age (years) | Males (mmol/L) | Females (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | median 101 middle 90% 97 to 105 | median 102 middle 90% 98 to 106 |
| 30-39 | median 101 middle 90% 97 to 105 | median 102 middle 90% 98 to 106 |
| 40-49 | median 101 middle 90% 97 to 106 | median 102 middle 90% 98 to 106 |
| 50-59 | median 101 middle 90% 96 to 106 | median 101 middle 90% 97 to 105 |
| 60-69 | median 101 middle 90% 96 to 106 | median 101 middle 90% 96 to 105 |
| 70+ | median 101 middle 90% 95 to 106 | median 101 middle 90% 95 to 106 |
Download Chloride percentiles (CSV) Values at full stored precision; tables on this site may round for display. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Population Distribution
Serum chloride is the main extracellular anion and is measured as part of the standard chemistry panel. It usually tracks sodium because both are handled by renal and volume-regulating mechanisms, though chloride also shifts with acid-base status and gastrointestinal or respiratory processes. These percentiles describe the full US adult population from NHANES 2017-March 2020 rather than a screened healthy subgroup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does chloride usually track sodium?
Both are regulated largely by renal and volume-control mechanisms, so they tend to move together. The gap between them (and bicarbonate) is the basis for calculating the anion gap.
When does chloride diverge from sodium?
Acid-base disturbances, vomiting, diuretic use, and some kidney conditions can shift chloride independently of sodium, which is part of what makes the anion gap useful clinically.
Is dietary salt reflected here?
No. Like sodium, serum chloride concentration is held tightly by homeostasis, so it does not usually mirror dietary intake.
Data Sources
Cite this data
LabNorms. Chloride population percentiles by age and sex. Data: NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-Pandemic. https://labnorms.com/analytes/chloride/. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Accessed [date].
Download Chloride percentiles (CSV) Values at full stored precision; tables on this site may round for display. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.