What is

Continuous Glucose Monitoring?

Libre products are small, discreet, and easy to use¹ sensor-based Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices. They provide real-time glucose readings day and night, without finger pricks.^†

Man at BBQ wearing FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor

Benefits of CGM vs. Blood Glucose Monitoring

Requires finger pricks
Requires manual testing multiple times a day
Requires you to carry strips, lancets and a meter to test
Provides glucose levels at a single moment of time

Painless,¹ without finger pricks^†
Automatically measures glucose levels every minute
Sensor delivers readings directly to your smartphone^◊,ǁ,Δ
Provides the whole picture about both the current glucose level and changes over time^φ
Continuous glucose levels help to see the impact of activities and food
Proven to reduce time in hypoglycaemia^2,3 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,Δ

1. Wear the sensor

The sensors are small, unobtrusive, and easily applied to the back of the upper arm¹. The sensors come with an applicator and use a small, flexible tip that is inserted just under the skin.

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^◊,Δ to check your glucose readings in real-time and receive optional glucose alarms on your phone or smartwatch^{^,◊,Δ} if they are too high or too low.^¤

What's the difference between interstitial fluid and blood glucose readings?

Sensor glucose readings come from the interstitial fluid, a thin layer of fluid that surrounds the cells of the tissue below the skin and not from the blood.⁵

Watch the video to find out the difference between interstitial fluid monitoring and blood glucose monitoring.

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

More FreeStyle Experiences

Discover the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems

#1 Sensor based glucose monitoring system used worldwide⁶

Explore our CGM systems

The FreeStyle LibreLink and FreeStyle Libre 3 apps shows on smartphones with the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors

References & Disclaimers

Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not real patients or data.

1. Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.

2. Haak, T. Diabetes Ther (2017): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6

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 June 2026)

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 app only when your smartphone and your sensor are connected and in range

◊ The FreeStyle LibreLink app works with FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor 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.

Δ The FreeStyle Libre 3 app works with FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor and is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Sharing of glucose data requires registration with LibreView.

φ For a complete glycaemic picture on the FreeStyle LibreLink app, scan once every 8 hours during signal loss.

¤ Notifications will only be received when alarms settings are enabled and turned on and sensor is within 6 metres (20 feet) (FreeStyle Libre 2 system) or 10 metres (33 feet) (FreeStyle Libre 3 system) of the reading device, unobstructed.

^ To receive alarms from the FreeStyle Libre apps 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 Libre apps has only been tested with certain smartwatches and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about smartwatch compatibility.

ADC-2643960 v4.0

Sensor fallen off? Error message? Use the new Sensor Support Request.

What is

Continuous Glucose Monitoring?

Benefits of CGM vs. Blood Glucose Monitoring

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Libre Products