Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and the first responders to bacterial infection. They make up roughly half to two-thirds of the total white blood cell count. The percent-of-WBC view is shown alongside the absolute count.
Unit: 1000 cells/uL · 12 slices · age and sex · 1 source
Filed under panels: Complete Blood Count · topics: Hematology
The absolute neutrophil count measures circulating segmented neutrophils, the most common white blood cell. NHANES reports both a percent of total WBC and an absolute count; this page uses the absolute count in 1000 cells/uL, consistent with the rest of the CBC panel. Neutrophil counts respond to bacterial infection, inflammation, physical stress, and smoking. The percent-of-WBC distribution is also shown: the share of total white cells that are neutrophils, from the NHANES segmented-neutrophil percent variable.
Population Distribution
Population Distribution (Percent of WBC)
The share of total white blood cells that are neutrophils, measured directly by NHANES (not derived from the absolute count).
Browse by Demographic
| Age (years) | male (1000 cells/uL) | female (1000 cells/uL) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 2–7 (3.7) | 2.2–8.1 (4.4) |
| 30-39 | 2–7.2 (3.9) | 2.1–8.1 (4.4) |
| 40-49 | 2.2–7.6 (3.9) | 2.1–7.9 (4.2) |
| 50-59 | 2.1–7.1 (4) | 2.1–6.8 (3.8) |
| 60-69 | 2.1–7.5 (4.1) | 2.1–6.7 (3.8) |
| 70+ | 2.2–7.1 (4.2) | 2.2–7.1 (4.1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are neutrophils reported as both a percentage and an absolute count?
The percentage describes the share of white cells that are neutrophils, while the absolute count gives the number per unit volume. The absolute count is generally more informative because it does not depend on the levels of the other cell types. This page uses the absolute count.
Why do neutrophil counts vary so much across the population?
Neutrophils respond to bacterial infection, inflammation, physical and emotional stress, smoking, and medication. Because all of these are common and variable in the general population, the distribution is wide.
Why are these population percentiles, not clinical reference ranges?
LabNorms shows where a value sits in the US adult population distribution. Clinical reference intervals are produced by laboratories using their own protocols and answer a different question. Both are useful and are not interchangeable.
What is a normal neutrophil percentage?
Across US adult sex-and-age groups, the median neutrophil percentage ranges from about 55.4% to 61.3% of total white cells. LabNorms shows the full distribution for each group rather than a single cutoff; see the percent-of-WBC table for your group.