A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

White Blood Cell Count with Differential

Your white blood cell count and its types, from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
1 to 2 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

White blood cells are part of the immune system. This test counts them and reports the five main types: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Counts can change with infection, inflammation, and other conditions, so it is often used to recheck a past result.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

This test is for adults rechecking a past white cell count, following up after an infection, or with frequent infections, when red cells and platelets aren’t needed.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your results show your total white cell count and how it splits across the five types, which can help a healthcare provider understand an infection, inflammation, or a past result.

White blood cell count (WBC)
White blood cells are part of your immune system and help your body fight infection. This count shows how many are in a sample of your blood. It can rise with infection, inflammation, stress, or some medicines, and fall with some infections, medicines, or bone marrow conditions.
Why it’s measured: A general look at the immune cells that help your body fight infection.
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are the most plentiful type of white blood cell and are often first to respond to bacterial infection and inflammation. The lab reports them as a percentage of your white cells and as an absolute count. Infection, stress, steroids, and exercise can raise them.
Why it’s measured: The white cells that often respond first to bacterial infection.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that include B cells, which make antibodies, and T cells, which help direct the immune response. They often respond to viral infections. The lab reports them as a percentage and an absolute count, read with your other white cell results.
Why it’s measured: White cells that make antibodies and help direct the immune response.
Monocytes
Monocytes are white blood cells that move into tissues, where they help clear away germs and damaged cells. The lab reports them as a percentage and an absolute count. They can rise during recovery from infection and with some longer-term inflammatory conditions.
Why it’s measured: White cells that help clear germs and damaged cells from tissues.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in allergic reactions and in fighting some parasites. The lab reports them as a percentage and an absolute count. They can rise with allergies, asthma, eczema, some medicines, and some infections, and a provider reads them in context.
Why it’s measured: White cells involved in allergic reactions and some infections.
Basophils
Basophils are the least common type of white blood cell. They release substances such as histamine during allergic and inflammatory reactions. The lab reports them as a percentage and an absolute count, and they are read as part of the full white cell differential.
Why it’s measured: The least common white cells, which take part in allergic and inflammatory reactions.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 1 to 2 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Total white cells are reported as a count per microliter, and each type appears as both a count and a percentage of the total.

  • Each marker next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

Counts can shift with a recent illness. A healthcare provider reads your results with your history and can suggest a repeat or other tests.

Which blood count fits?

Three versions, with more or less detail on white cells.

White cells

White cells and their types, without red cells or platelets.

What it counts
White cells
White cell types
Yes, five types, as counts and percentages
Useful for
Following up on a past white cell result

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Each type has a different job. Neutrophils respond quickly to bacteria. Lymphocytes include the cells that make antibodies and fight viruses. Monocytes help clear away damaged cells. Eosinophils take part in allergic reactions and respond to parasites, and basophils also play a part in allergic reactions.

Infections, inflammation, and a recent illness can raise or lower white cells or shift the mix of types. Because many things can move the numbers, a healthcare provider reads them with your symptoms and history.

This test counts white cells and their types. It doesn’t include red cells, hemoglobin, or platelets, and it doesn’t show the cause of a high or low count. A healthcare provider may suggest a CBC or other tests, depending on your result and history.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.