Understand Your Cholesterol Numbers (Educational)

Use this calculator to interpret a standard lipid panel: Total Cholesterol, HDL, and Triglycerides. It also computes Non-HDL and common ratios. If you don’t have lab-reported LDL, the tool can estimate it using the Friedewald formula (with limitations at higher triglycerides or non-fasting tests).

This page is not medical advice. Targets vary by overall cardiovascular risk (age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and more). If your results look concerning, discuss them with a qualified clinician.

Further reading: Cholesterol & statins explained All health tools
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Cholesterol Calculator (Lipid Panel)

Calculate Non-HDL, common lipid ratios, and optionally estimate LDL (Friedewald). Educational use only — not medical advice.

Units: mg/dL

Inputs

From your lipid panel.
Often called “good” cholesterol.
LDL estimation may be unreliable when triglycerides are high.
If left blank, we try to estimate LDL using Friedewald.
Tip: paste values and click “Calculate”.
Reminder: Cholesterol targets depend on personal risk (age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, family history, prior events). Use this tool to understand numbers — for medical decisions, talk to a clinician.

Results

Waiting for input
Non-HDL Cholesterol
— mg/dL
Non-HDL = Total − HDL
Estimated / Reported LDL
— mg/dL
Enter LDL if you have it; otherwise we estimate.
Total / HDL Ratio
— ratio
Lower is generally better.
Triglycerides / HDL Ratio
— ratio
Sometimes used as a metabolic marker.
Marker Your value General reference (adults)
Enter values and click Calculate.