Segs and Bands Normal Values
"Segs" and "bands" are the two kinds of neutrophil counted on a blood test. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell and the body's first line of defence against infection.
- Segs (segmented neutrophils, sometimes reported as PMNs) are mature neutrophils.
- Bands (band neutrophils) are young neutrophils that are not yet fully mature.
Added together, segs and bands make up your total neutrophil count. That is why a lab report may show a line such as "Neutrophils, absolute (segs + bands)".
Normal values at a glance
| Result | Typical adult normal range |
|---|---|
| Neutrophils (segs + bands), % of white cells | 40% to 60% |
| Bands (young neutrophils), % of white cells | 0% to 3% |
| Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) | about 1,500 to 8,000 cells per microlitre (1.5 to 8.0 × 10⁹/L) |
Normal ranges vary between laboratories, so always compare your result with the range printed on your own report. Some labs use a narrower range for the absolute count, for example 2,500 to 7,000 per microlitre.
A microlitre (µL) is the same as a cubic millimetre (mm³), so results written as "cells/µL" and "cells/mm³" mean the same thing. A result of 1.5 × 10⁹/L is the same as 1,500 cells/µL.
How segs and bands give the absolute neutrophil count
The percentages on their own do not tell you how many neutrophils you have. For that, the lab uses the total white blood cell count (WBC):
ANC = WBC × (% segs + % bands) ÷ 100
For example, if your WBC is 6,000 cells/µL, segs are 55% and bands are 2%:
6,000 × (55 + 2) ÷ 100 = 3,420 cells/µL, which is within the normal range.
You can read more on our ANC formula and ANC calculation pages.
What does "auto" mean on the report?
Many labs count white cells by machine. Lines marked "auto" or "automated" (for example "segs + bands, absolute, auto") usually mean the figure was produced by the lab's automated analyser.
What a low neutrophil count means
A neutrophil count below 1,500 cells/µL is called neutropenia. It is usually graded like this:
- Mild: 1,000 to 1,500 cells/µL
- Moderate: 500 to 1,000 cells/µL
- Severe: below 500 cells/µL
Once the count falls below 1,500, infections become more common. Some people have a naturally low count linked to the Duffy-null blood type (Duffy antigen null neutropenia, formerly called benign ethnic neutropenia), which does not raise the risk of infection. Doctors only reach this conclusion after ruling out other causes. See low absolute neutrophils for causes.
Get urgent medical help if you have a low neutrophil count, or are having chemotherapy, and develop a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. Fever with a low neutrophil count (febrile neutropenia) is treated as an emergency in people having cancer treatment.
What a high neutrophil count means
A higher than normal percentage of neutrophils can be caused by:
- an infection or inflammation
- acute stress or injury
- smoking
- pregnancy
- some medicines, such as steroids
- less often, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or blood disorders including leukaemia
A band count above the lab's range is interpreted together with the rest of the blood count and how you feel, so ask the doctor who ordered the test what it means for you.
For the full range of normal values, see absolute neutrophil count normal range.
References
- Blood differential test. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed 7 November 2026.
- Normal and Abnormal Complete Blood Count With Differential (StatPearls). NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine. Accessed 7 November 2026.
- Neutropenia (StatPearls). NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine. Accessed 7 November 2026.
- Febrile Neutropenia (StatPearls). NCBI Bookshelf, National Library of Medicine. Accessed 7 November 2026.
- What Are Neutrophils?. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 7 November 2026.
- Neutrophilia: GP information. NHS South West (SWAG) Cancer Alliance. Accessed 7 November 2026.