Honey's Ratings UMF & MGO Explained

UMF & MGO: What They Mean and How to Choose the Right Manuka Honey for You

Welcome back to The Simple Self Care Lifestyle’s Healthy Honey Series! If you’ve already explored the amazing benefits of Manuka Honey and discovered the unique qualities of Tupelo Honey, today we’re diving deep into the important numbers that help you pick the right Manuka Honey for your needs: UMF and MGO.

Why Do UMF and MGO Matter?

When shopping for Manuka Honey, you’ll see jars labeled with numbers like UMF 10+ or MGO 250+. These numbers aren’t just marketing — they represent the honey’s potency and healing power, based on the concentration of key antibacterial compounds.

Knowing what these terms mean will help you choose a Manuka Honey that fits your personal wellness goals and ensures you get authentic, high-quality honey.

If you’re curious about how Manuka Honey supports your cells and overall wellness, check out our detailed post on the health benefits of Manuka Honey here.

What Is UMF?

UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor. It’s a registered trademark and quality trademark given by the UMF Honey Association in New Zealand to certify genuine Manuka honey.

UMF measures several key compounds that make Manuka honey special, including:

Methylglyoxal (MGO): The main antibacterial ingredient.
Leptosperin: A chemical unique to Manuka nectar that verifies authenticity.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): The precursor to MGO in fresh honey.

UMF numbers typically range from 5+ to 20+ and higher. A higher UMF number means stronger antibacterial activity and greater potential health benefits.

If you’d like to explore other unique honey with special benefits, don’t miss my post on Tupelo Honey and why I recommend Savannah Bee Company’s version.

What Is MGO?

MGO stands for Methylglyoxal, the main compound responsible for Manuka honey’s potent antibacterial effects.

The MGO number on your jar indicates the concentration of methylglyoxal in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). For example:

MGO 83 roughly equals UMF 5+
MGO 263 roughly equals UMF 10+
MGO 514 roughly equals UMF 15+

MGO levels can vary depending on the honey’s age, storage, and source.

UMF vs. MGO: What’s the Difference?

UMF is a broader quality rating that includes multiple markers (MGO, leptospira, DHA) and authenticity verification.
MGO focuses only on the concentration of methylglyoxal, the antibacterial component.

Both ratings are valuable. When buying Manuka Honey, it’s best to look for jars with UMF certification to guarantee genuine Manuka honey with verified antibacterial potency.

Using a UMF-to-MGO Converter: Why It’s Helpful

When shopping for Manuka Honey, you might notice some jars display only the UMF rating, while others highlight MGO levels. Because UMF and MGO measure related but different things, a conversion tool helps you compare apples to apples — ensuring you understand the honey’s antibacterial strength regardless of the label format.

What does the converter do?

Translates UMF values to equivalent MGO concentrations, and vice versa.
Helps you select the right potency based on trusted, consistent metrics.
Ensures you don’t get confused or misled by different labeling standards.
Supports informed choices tailored to your wellness goals.

For example, a UMF 10+ honey is roughly equivalent to MGO 263+, meaning it contains about 263 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram — a key antibacterial compound. Knowing this helps you select the correct honey strength, whether a product is labeled as UMF or MGO.

Try the UMF-to-MGO converter here:
🔗 LINK UMF to MGO Conversion Chart – Manuka Honey USA

Overview Chart: How to Choose the Right Manuka Honey for You

Your choice depends on your intended use and health goals:

UMF Rating	MGO Equivalent	Suggested Use
5+ to 9+	83 to 263	Daily wellness and maintenance
10+ to 15+	263 to 514	Immune support and digestive aid
16+ and up	514+	Therapeutic uses (wound healing, infections)

For everyday use, a UMF 5+ to 9+ is excellent and more affordable. If you want to use it for immune boosting or digestive issues, look for UMF 10+ to 15+. For specific therapeutic purposes, such as topical wound care or infection, the highest UMF levels are recommended.

How to Store and Use Manuka Honey

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Keep the lid tightly closed to preserve potency.
Consume by the teaspoon daily, in warm (not hot) tea, or directly by spoon.
Use topically for wounds or skin conditions if needed.

Authenticity Tips: Avoiding Fake Manuka Honey

Always look for UMF certification on the label.
Check for the UMF Honey Association license number.
Beware of unusually low-priced Manuka honey — quality honey isn’t cheap.
Look for packaging with clear batch and testing information.

If you want to learn about another natural honey that supports your simple self-care lifestyle, check out the full Tupelo Honey post here.

Summary: Making the Best Choice for Your Simple Self Care

Understanding UMF and MGO lets you pick a Manuka Honey that:

fits your needs,
ensures you get the authentic healing benefits this unique honey offers.

From simple daily health maintenance to potent therapeutic uses, there’s a UMF level for every lifestyle.

The Honey’s I Currently Use:

Bees and Trees Manuka Honey

Savannah Bee Company’s Tupelo Honey

Manuka Honey: A Sweet Super-powerful Food!

Discover how Manuka honey nourishes your cells, boosts energy, and helps calm inflammation. Nature’s sweetener, that is, Simple Self Care.

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Tupelo Honey:

A rare, buttery, sweet food of nature that can boost energy, calm inflammation, and support your sweet tooth naturally.