Cholesterol Calculator (LDL, Non-HDL & Lipid Panel)

A standard lipid panel reports total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides, and LDL is often calculated from them rather than measured. Enter your numbers in mg/dL or mmol/L to estimate LDL with the Friedewald equation, get non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL ratio, and see how each value is classified by the NCEP ATP III cut-offs that many lab reports still use.

How to use this tool

1. Choose the unit used on your lab report.
2. Enter total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides.
3. If the report gives a measured (direct) LDL, enter it; otherwise leave the field blank.
4. Review each value and its category in the table.

Formula

LDL = TC − HDL − TG ÷ 5 (mg/dL) · Non-HDL = TC − HDL

TC is total cholesterol and TG triglycerides; TG ÷ 5 estimates the cholesterol carried in VLDL particles. The equation is not valid when triglycerides are 400 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L) or higher, and it tends to underestimate LDL when LDL is low and triglycerides are raised. mmol/L values are converted with 1 mmol/L = 38.67 mg/dL for cholesterol and 88.57 mg/dL for triglycerides.

Example

With total cholesterol 200 mg/dL, HDL 50 mg/dL and triglycerides 150 mg/dL: LDL = 200 − 50 − 150 ÷ 5 = 120 mg/dL (near or above optimal), non-HDL = 150 mg/dL and the ratio is 200 ÷ 50 = 4.0. A total of 200 sits at the start of the borderline-high band, and triglycerides of 150 are borderline high.