About the Cholesterol Ratio Calculator
A lipid panel reports several numbers, and doctors look at how they relate to each other as well as at each one alone. The total cholesterol to HDL ratio is a simple example: a lower ratio means a larger share of your cholesterol is the protective HDL type. This calculator takes your total and HDL cholesterol and gives the ratio with a plain band. It also calculates non-HDL cholesterol, which is total minus HDL, estimates LDL from triglycerides using the Friedewald equation when you have no measured LDL, and shows the triglyceride to HDL ratio. It accepts results in mg/dL or mmol/L. The tool is for information and does not replace medical advice.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Cholesterol Ratio Calculator
- 1Choose the unit used on your results.
- 2Enter your total cholesterol and HDL.
- 3Optional: enter your LDL and triglycerides.
- 4Read the ratio and the band.
- 5See non-HDL, LDL and the triglyceride to HDL ratio.
Worked example
With a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL, HDL of 50 and triglycerides of 120, the ratio is 4, in the good band. Non-HDL cholesterol is 150 mg/dL. Without a measured LDL, the Friedewald estimate is 200 − 50 − 24 = 126 mg/dL. The triglyceride to HDL ratio is 2.4, which is within the range often considered healthy.
Keep in mind that cholesterol changes during the day, with illness, with pregnancy and with some medicines, so one measurement is a snapshot. If you have a result that worries you, ask your clinician to repeat it and to calculate your overall cardiovascular risk, which takes account of your age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and family history. A healthy ratio does not cancel other risk factors, and a high one does not mean disease on its own.
Lifestyle changes show up fairly quickly in lipid results. Many people see their triglycerides fall within weeks after cutting alcohol and sugary drinks, and HDL rise gradually with regular exercise. Retest after three months of consistent changes to see the effect. Bring your earlier results to appointments, because the trend over several years often says more than any single panel, and the calculator helps you track the ratio each time.
Typical targets
- Total cholesterol: under 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L).
- LDL: under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) for most; lower if you have heart disease.
- HDL: above 40 mg/dL for men, 50 for women.
- Triglycerides: under 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L).
- Ratio: under 5, ideally under 3.5.
Before your next test
Follow your lab's advice about fasting. Some panels need 9 to 12 hours without food, though non-fasting tests are now common. Avoid alcohol for a day or two, and keep your usual diet so that the result reflects your normal state. Take the results to your doctor, who will consider them with your overall risk.
Related tools
The Blood Pressure Category Checker, the A1C Calculator and the GFR Calculator cover other health markers, the Fat Intake Calculator suggests dietary fat, and the BMI Calculator measures weight for height.
Features
- Total to HDL ratio
- Non-HDL cholesterol
- LDL estimate (Friedewald)
- Triglyceride to HDL ratio
- mg/dL and mmol/L
- Plain-language band
Frequently asked questions
What is a good cholesterol ratio?
A total to HDL ratio under 5 is generally considered acceptable and under 3.5 is ideal. For example, a total of 200 mg/dL and an HDL of 50 mg/dL give a ratio of 4.
How is non-HDL cholesterol calculated?
Subtract HDL from total cholesterol. It includes all the cholesterol in artery-clogging particles, not only LDL, and is a useful target for some people, especially when triglycerides are high.
How is LDL estimated?
The Friedewald equation subtracts HDL and one fifth of the triglycerides from the total cholesterol, in mg/dL. In mmol/L the divisor is 2.2. It is not reliable if triglycerides are above 400 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L).
What do the units mean?
mg/dL is used in the US and some other countries. mmol/L is used in the UK, Canada, Australia and most of Europe. Cholesterol values in mmol/L are about 38.67 times smaller than in mg/dL.
Is the ratio more important than LDL?
Doctors use many measures together with other risk factors such as age, blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. Current guidelines often focus on LDL or non-HDL targets. The ratio is a helpful extra view.
How can I improve my ratio?
Regular exercise, not smoking, losing excess weight, eating more fibre, nuts and oily fish and less saturated fat can all raise HDL or lower total cholesterol. Some people also need medicine. Ask your doctor.