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Urine Specific Gravity

Abbreviation: SG

Panel: Urinalysis & Urine Tests · All urinalysis tests

Typical adult reference range

Conventional units1.005–1.030
SI units—

Ranges vary between laboratories and methods — compare your result with the range printed on your own report.

What a high or low result can mean

High urine specific gravity: high values reflect concentrated urine and can be seen in dehydration.

Low urine specific gravity: low values reflect dilute urine and may occur with high fluid intake or impaired concentrating ability.

These are associations, not a diagnosis: the same result can have several causes, and your clinician interprets it with the rest of your results and history.

◆ Kidney note

This test is closely tied to kidney health, and it is one a kidney specialist (nephrologist) watches closely. On this site, kidney-related results are a special focus: see the kidney and dialysis medicines in our Drug Guide and the kidney condition hubs for the wider picture.

Related tests — Urinalysis & Urine Tests

Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine RatioUrine BilirubinUrine BloodUrine CastsUrine Color and AppearanceUrine CreatinineUrine CultureUrine Glucose
Please note: Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and between the methods and instruments they use — the range printed on your own report is the one your result should be compared with. A result outside the range is not by itself a diagnosis, and a result inside it does not rule out illness. These pages are an educational summary, not medical advice: always discuss your results with the clinician who ordered them, who can interpret them in the context of your health and history.