Our previous studies have investigated the role of hepatic insulin resistance (hepatic IR) and islet β-cell function in the pathogenesis of diabetes. This study aimed to explore the contributions of hepatic IR and islet β-cell dysfunction to the blood glucose spectrum in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hepatic IR was assessed by the hepatic insulin resistance index (HIRI). Islet β-cell function was assessed by insulin secretion- sensitivity index-2 (ISSI2). The associations between blood glucose spectrum and hepatic IR and ISSI2 were analyzed. A total of 707 patients with new-onset diabetes were included. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 30 minutes postload blood glucose elevated with rising HIRI (both P for trend <0.001). The FBG, 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 3 hours post-load blood glucose elevated with decreasing ISSI2 quartiles (all P for trend <0.001). There was a negative correlation between ISSI2 and HIRI after adjusting blood glucose levels (r=-0.199, P<0.001). Hepatic IR mainly contributed to FBG and early-phase postprandial plasma glucose, whereas β-cell dysfunction contributed to fasting and postprandial plasma glucose at each phase.