Heart & circulation
LDL Calculator: Estimate Your LDL Cholesterol
Use this free LDL calculator to work out your LDL cholesterol from a standard lipid panel, using the same Friedewald method your lab uses. Works in mg/dL or mmol/L.
- Free to use
- Works on your phone
- Nothing saved or shared
How to use this LDL calculator
This LDL cholesterol calculator turns the numbers on your lipid panel into an estimated LDL result in both mg/dL and mmol/L. Here is how to use it in three quick steps.
- Get your latest lipid panel, also called a cholesterol blood test.
- Choose the units printed on your report, either mg/dL or mmol/L.
- Type in your total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides, then press Calculate my LDL.
What your LDL number means
LDL cholesterol is the kind that can build up inside your artery walls over time, which is why it is often called the harmful cholesterol. Lowering it is one of the most reliable ways to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Here is how LDL is usually grouped, in mg/dL:
- Below 100 is optimal for most adults.
- 100 to 129 is near optimal.
- 130 to 159 is borderline high.
- 160 to 189 is high.
- 190 and above is very high.
These bands are a general guide. If you have already had a heart problem, or you live with diabetes, your doctor will usually aim for a lower LDL than someone at low risk. Bring your result to your next appointment rather than judging it on its own.
It also helps to look at your LDL to HDL ratio, which compares the harmful and the helpful cholesterol. A lower ratio is better, and the cholesterol ratio calculator can work out the total-to-HDL version for you, which tells you more than either number on its own.
LDL cholesterol levels chart
This chart shows the LDL bands in both mg/dL and mmol/L, so you can read it whichever way your report is printed. The calculator above gives your exact figure, but the chart is handy for a quick look.
| LDL (mg/dL) | LDL (mmol/L) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Below 100 | Below 2.6 | Optimal |
| 100 to 129 | 2.6 to 3.3 | Near optimal |
| 130 to 159 | 3.4 to 4.1 | Borderline high |
| 160 to 189 | 4.1 to 4.9 | High |
| 190 and above | 4.9 and above | Very high |
Why LDL matters for your heart
Your arteries are like pipes that carry blood to your heart and brain. When there is too much LDL in the blood for too long, it can settle into the walls of those pipes and narrow them. Keeping LDL in a healthy range, with simple foods that lower cholesterol, movement, and medicine if your doctor advises it, helps keep that blood flowing freely for years to come.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy LDL cholesterol level?
For many adults, an LDL below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) is considered optimal, and 100 to 129 is near optimal. If you have heart disease or diabetes, your doctor may want it lower, often below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). Your personal target depends on your overall risk.
How is LDL cholesterol calculated?
This tool uses the Friedewald equation, the same method most labs use: LDL = total cholesterol minus HDL minus one fifth of your triglycerides (in mg/dL). It is an estimate, not a direct measurement, but it is accurate for most people.
Why does my result say it may not be accurate?
The Friedewald estimate becomes unreliable when triglycerides are high, above about 400 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L). If your triglycerides are that high, ask your doctor for a direct LDL test instead of an estimate.
Can I lower my LDL without medication?
Many people can, especially when LDL is only mildly raised. Eating more soluble fibre, swapping saturated fat for healthy fats, moving more, and losing extra weight all help. If your risk is high, your doctor may still recommend medicine alongside these changes.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL?
LDL is often called the harmful cholesterol because too much can build up in your arteries. HDL is the helpful kind that carries cholesterol away. You generally want LDL lower and HDL higher.
What is a good LDL to HDL ratio?
The LDL to HDL ratio compares your harmful cholesterol with your helpful cholesterol, and a lower number is better. A ratio under about 2 to 3 is generally seen as good for most adults. If you want the total-to-HDL version instead, you can use the cholesterol ratio calculator.
What formula does this LDL calculator use?
It uses the Friedewald equation: LDL = total cholesterol minus HDL minus your triglycerides divided by five, all in mg/dL. This is the standard method most labs use to report LDL. It works well for most people, but it becomes less reliable when triglycerides are very high, so a direct LDL test is better in that case.
Can I calculate my LDL in mmol/L?
Yes. Choose mmol/L as your units and the result is shown in mmol/L, with the mg/dL figure alongside it. That way the calculator works whether your report uses US units or the international units common in the UK, Canada and Australia.