@A DiabetesTeam Member the answer is it depends somewhat on where you live (bad reason) and how well YOU want to manage the disease

The International Guideline says stay in the range of 4.0 to 10.0 mmols (72-180) at least 70% of the time with greater than 85% of the time being the goal

That will "delay" complications for about 10 years which might be a fine goal for you since your bio shows you are 71 years old

In the UK they have realized that is an "inferior" target level for many diabetics being diagnosed in their 50's, 40's or even younger NEED to set a much lower target - 4.0 - 8.5 mmols is their recommendation because they are looking to prevent to really "nasty" complications like dementia, blindness and kidney disease

YOUR Range should be set by your doctor (if they understand well enough - most are no where near experts or even somewhat skilled in diabetes - overwhelmingly they simply rely on the guidelines) along with an "educated patient"

Your range has to match your goals

Want 10'ish good years, shoot for the 4.0-10.0 (72 - 180)

Want to protect against kidney disease, blindness and dementia stick with (UK) 4.0-8.5 (72-153)

Want to alleviate the likelihood of any diabetic complications, then as Henry notes, you need to shoot for 4.0-7.8 (72-140) more than 85% of the time

We all may have different ranges or different A1C targets because we are different ages, at different stages of the disease, so there is not a totally simple answer

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A Diabete...

If you want to live your best life with diabetes @A DiabetesTeam Member, you would do good to keep your numbers to nondiabetic numbers.

When you are diagnosed with diabetes your lifespan decreases 20 years. But the good news is:
You can gain most of those years back, simply by what you put in your mouth, and by what you don't put in your mouth.

Most diagnosed with diabetes can handle 100-130 net carbs daily. Some less than half that at 50 net carbs daily. Some only 30. Then there is me. I can only handle 5 net carbs per meal. I do what I need to do, I keep my numbers in the nondiabetic range of 4.0(72) to 7.8(140)

I want to be here for my Bride, our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, and more.

Normal, nondiabetic, blood glucose numbers are 4.0(72) to 7.8(140). Non diabetics produce and use insulin effectively to compensate for any glucose spikes that result from eating. We are not so blessed. Our systems are damaged and broken. Baby steps.

Eat to TITR, time in tight range, 4.0(72) to 7.8(140).
Coincidentally, TITR will prevent further cumulative vascular damage from glucose spikes.
Those glucose spikes are the enemy.
Cumulative vascular damage feeds diabetes complications and comorbidities.
Baby steps.

Arrest diabetes complications and comorbidities right where they are now,
Morning Fasting blood glucose numbers 7.0(126) or less, before meal numbers, 2 hour numbers 7.8(140) or less, all need to be TITR.
Baby steps.

Does this answer your question.

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A Diabete...