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Calculates the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) from a spot urine sample to estimate 24-hour proteinuria for CKD detection, monitoring, and nephrotic range proteinuria screening.
Clinical decision-support tool for qualified healthcare professionals. Results are not a diagnosis and should not replace professional clinical judgment.
The spot UPCR is a validated estimate of 24-hour urinary protein excretion and is recommended by KDIGO for the detection and monitoring of proteinuria, avoiding the inconvenience of timed collections.
Specialty
Internal MedicineCategory
NephrologyDifficulty
Basic
Estimated Time
30 seconds
Version
1.0
Last Updated
2026-08-16
Formula
Keywords
Normal Range
< 0.15 mg/mg (< 150 mg/g)
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
Normal <150 mg/g | <0.15 mg/mg |
Mild proteinuria moderate albuminuria equivalent | 0.15–0.5 mg/mg |
Moderate proteinuria sub-nephrotic | 0.5–3.5 mg/mg |
Nephrotic range (adults) ≈ ≥3.5 g/day | ≥3.5 mg/mg |
Calculates the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) from a spot urine sample to estimate 24-hour proteinuria for CKD detection, monitoring, and nephrotic range proteinuria screening.
Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio = urine protein / urine creatinine, both in mg/dL, giving a dimensionless ratio (mg/mg) that estimates 24-hour protein excretion.
Urine protein concentration in mg/dL, used as the numerator.
Urine creatinine concentration in mg/dL, used as the denominator to normalize for urine concentration.
UPCR < 0.15 mg/mg is normal; 0.15–0.5 is mild; 0.5–3.5 is moderate (sub-nephrotic); and ≥ 3.5 mg/mg approximates nephrotic range proteinuria in adults (≥ 3.5 g/day). The ratio corrects for urine concentration. It does not distinguish albumin from non-albumin protein.
The spot UPCR is a validated, KDIGO-recommended surrogate for 24-hour urinary protein that simplifies the detection and monitoring of proteinuria and identifies nephrotic range disease.
A 58-year-old man with CKD has a spot urine protein of 150 mg/dL and urine creatinine of 100 mg/dL.
Inputs:
Expected Result: UPCR = 150 ÷ 100 = 1.5 mg/mg. This moderate (sub-nephrotic) proteinuria warrants quantification with ACR and repeat measurement.
In most adults, a spot UPCR in mg/mg is approximately equal to grams of protein per day, so 3.5 mg/mg approximates nephrotic range (≥ 3.5 g/day) proteinuria.
ACR (albumin) is preferred for early diabetic kidney disease and KDIGO staging. UPCR (total protein) is used for general proteinuria quantification, including nephrotic syndrome.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for educational and clinical decision support purposes only. Proteinuria results must be interpreted with the clinical context and confirmed with repeat testing when abnormal.