The red cell distribution width (RDW) blood test measures how equal your red blood cells are in size. One of several tests included in a complete blood count (CBC), RDW is measured as a percentage.

RDW stands for "red cell distribution width." It is a way of measuring how varied the shape and size of red blood cells are in a sample.

Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD The red cell distribution width (RDW) blood test measures differences in the volume and size of your red blood cells. Red blood cells help carry oxygen ...

RDW is a standard component of routine blood tests, so it would be an accessible predictor of severe coronavirus cases if these findings are confirmed.

RDW is a very common metric gathered in most standard blood count tests. The new study found patients displaying an elevated RDW at time of admission were 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19.

Staying on top of your health involves more than just feeling good – it's about knowing what's happening beneath the surface.

A standard test that evaluates blood cells can help identify patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who are at an elevated risk for death, according to research published in JAMA Network Open.

Learn about nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs), how doctors test for them, what can cause a high NRBC count, and what your test results might mean.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may be a good biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity, study finds.

Complete blood count parameters may predict mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, according to a retrospective cohort study.

A red cell distribution width (RDW) blood test helps measure variation in red blood cell volume and size. Learn why it’s performed and how to read results.