.svg){kind=logo}
1. Wear the sensor
The sensors are small, unobtrusive, and easily applied to the back of the upper arm.1,2 The sensors come with an applicator and use a small, flexible tip that is inserted just under the skin.
What is
Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices, such as FreeStyle Libre portfolio of products, are small, discreet and easy to use1 sensor-based glucose monitoring systems. They provide real-time glucose readings day and night, without fingerpricks.†
Benefits of CGM vs. Blood Glucose Monitoring
Blood Glucose
Monitoring
Measures glucose levels in blood
-
Requires finger pricks
-
Requires manual testing multiple times a day
-
Requires you to carry strips, lancet and meter to test
-
Provides glucose levels at a single moment of time
Libre
Products
Measures glucose levels in interstitial fluid
-
Painless,1,2 without finger pricks†
-
Automatically measures glucose levels every minute
-
Sensor delivers readings directly to your smartphone◊,ǁ
-
Provides the whole picture about both the current glucose level and changes over timeφ
-
Continuous glucose levels help to see the impact of activites and food
-
Proven to reduce time in hypoglycaemia1,3 and improve overall glucose control4
How do Libre sensors work?
Libre sensors are a technology that allows people with diabetes to see their glucose levels in real-time on their smartphone◊,II
2. Sensor measures glucose levels
The sensor continuously measures interstitial fluid glucose levels through the whole wear period.
3. View glucose readings on your smartphone
Start your sensor using your smartphone app◊ to check your glucose readings in real-time and receive optional glucose alarms on your phone or smartwatch^,◊ if they are too high or too low.¤
What's the difference between interstitial fluid and blood glucose readings?
Interstitial fluid glucose vs. blood glucose
FreeStyle Libre Experiences
Discover firsthand experiences with FreeStyle Libre systems from users, loved ones, and healthcare professionals.
Learn how continuous glucose monitoring with Libre products has transformed their diabetes management.
Ken's story
Gaining confidence after a Type 2 diagnosis
Mark's story
Using glucose data to get NHS funding with Type 2
Discover the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems
#1 Sensor based glucose monitoring system used worldwide6
References & Disclaimers
Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not real patient or data.
1. Haak, T. Diabetes Ther (2017): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6.
2. Alva, S. Diabetes Therapy (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-023-01385-6.
3. Leelarathna, L. N Engl J Med. (2022): DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2205650.
4. Evans, M. Diabetes Ther (2020): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-019-00720-0.
5. Diabetes .co.uk(2019), Interstitial Fluid, available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/body/interstitial-fluid.html (Accessed 29 Oct 2025)
6. Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre portfolio compared to the number of users for other leading personal use sensor based glucose monitoring systems.
† Finger pricks are required if glucose readings and alarms do not match symptoms or expectations.
ǁ Glucose readings are automatically displayed in the FreeStyle LibreLink app only when your smartphone and your sensor are connected and in range
◊ The FreeStyle LibreLink app works with FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensors and is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink may require registration with LibreView.
φ For a complete glycaemic picture on the FreeStyle LibreLink app, scan once every 8 hours during signal loss.
¤ Alarms notifications will only be received when alarms are turned on and the FreeStyle Libre 2 or FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is within 20ft unobstructed of the reading device. Users must have override do not disturb settings enabled to receive alarms and alerts on their smartphone. For FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor users, the notifications will only be recieved when alarms are turned on and the sensor is within 33ft unobstructed of the reading device.
^ To receive alarms from the FreeStyle LibreLink app on your smartwatch, alarms must be turned ON, your phone and smartwatch must be connected, and your devices configured to deliver notifications. Smartwatch notification mirroring on the FreeStyle LibreLink app have only been tested with certain smartwatches and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about smartwatch compatibility.
ADC-78329 v3.0