Body metrics · calculator
Cholesterol calculator
Your lab report often lists just a few numbers. From total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides you can work out the values doctors actually use to judge risk.
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What the numbers mean (mg/dL)
| Value (mg/dL) | Rating |
|---|---|
| LDL ("bad") | |
| below 100 | Optimal |
| 100–129 | Near optimal |
| 130–159 | Borderline high |
| 160–189 | High |
| 190 and above | Very high |
| Non-HDL | |
| below 130 | Desirable |
| 130–159 | Borderline high |
| 160–189 | High |
| 190 and above | Very high |
| HDL ("good") | |
| below 40 (men) · below 50 (women) | Low |
| 40–59 (men) · 50–59 (women) | OK |
| 60 and above | Protective |
| Triglycerides | |
| below 150 | Normal |
| 150–199 | Borderline high |
| 200–499 | High |
| 500 and above | Very high |
| Total / HDL ratio | |
| below 3.5 | Ideal |
| 3.5–4.9 | Acceptable |
| 5 and above | High |
Based on the US National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III) cut-offs; for HDL, the sex-specific cut-offs (below 40 in men, below 50 in women) are the ones ATP III uses for the metabolic syndrome. A calculated LDL below 40 mg/dL is not shown — the formula is not accurate there. To convert: cholesterol mg/dL ÷ 38.67 = mmol/L; triglycerides mg/dL ÷ 88.57 = mmol/L.
How the values are calculated
- Non-HDL cholesterol = total − HDL. It counts all the cholesterol in particles that can clog arteries, needs no fasting, and many guidelines now prefer it.
- LDL = total − HDL − triglycerides ÷ 5 (Friedewald formula). It becomes unreliable with very high triglycerides (400 mg/dL or more) or very low LDL; labs then measure LDL directly or use newer formulas.
- Total/HDL ratio — a rough summary of the balance between harmful and protective cholesterol.
Your target depends on your risk
There is no single "normal" LDL for everyone. People who already have heart disease, diabetes or a high 10-year risk are treated to much lower targets — often LDL below 70 or even 55 mg/dL. Very high LDL (190 mg/dL or more) suggests an inherited condition (familial hypercholesterolemia) that should be checked, including in close relatives.
Cholesterol and blood pressure
High cholesterol and high blood pressure multiply each other's damage to the arteries. The same habits help both: a Mediterranean or DASH-style diet, less saturated fat, more fiber, regular exercise and not smoking. See the DASH plan and check your blood pressure.
Sources: NCEP ATP III executive summary (NHLBI, PDF) · MedlinePlus: Cholesterol · CDC: Cholesterol
Screening tools give a first orientation, not a diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about your results, especially before major changes to diet, exercise or medication.