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Definition of Mean cell volume
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Mean cell volume: A standard part of the complete blood count, the mean cell volume (MCV) is the average volume of a red blood cell. This is a calculated value derived from the hematocrit and the red cell count (The hematocrit is the ratio of the volume of red cells to the volume of whole blood while the red cell count is the number of red blood cells in a volume of blood). The normal range for the mean cell volume is 86 - 98 femtoliters.