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Cholesterol Converter (mg/dL to mmol/L)

Convert total, LDL, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol (factor 38.67) and triglycerides (factor 88.57) between mg/dL and mmol/L, with the NCEP ATP III category for each result.

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How it works

Cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL, non-HDL): mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67 · mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67 · Triglycerides: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 88.57 · mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57

Cholesterol has a molar mass of about 386.7 g/mol, so 1 mmol/L equals 38.67 mg/dL; this factor is the same for total, LDL, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol because all are measured as cholesterol. Triglycerides are reported as triolein (about 885.7 g/mol), so their factor is 88.57. The categories are the US National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III) cut-points, which many labs still print next to results; your target depends on your overall cardiovascular risk.

Worked example

Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL: 200 ÷ 38.67 = 5.17 mmol/L, which sits at the start of the “borderline high” band (200–239 mg/dL, about 5.2–6.2 mmol/L). A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL would be 150 ÷ 88.57 = 1.69 mmol/L.

Sources: NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) — Executive Summary, NHLBI · Mach F et al. 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. Eur Heart J 2020;41:111–88

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert cholesterol from mmol/L to mg/dL?

Multiply by 38.67. For example 5.0 mmol/L × 38.67 = 193 mg/dL and 3.0 mmol/L of LDL = 116 mg/dL. For triglycerides multiply by 88.57 instead.

Why is the triglyceride factor different?

Each factor comes from the molar mass of the molecule measured. Cholesterol weighs about 387 g/mol and triglycerides (as triolein) about 886 g/mol, so the same mmol/L corresponds to more than twice as many mg/dL of triglycerides.

What is a good cholesterol level in mmol/L?

Under NCEP ATP III: total cholesterol below 5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), LDL below 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL), HDL 1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) or more, and triglycerides below 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL). People at high cardiovascular risk usually have lower LDL targets, such as below 1.8 or 1.4 mmol/L.

Is non-HDL cholesterol converted the same way?

Yes. Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL, so it uses the same 38.67 factor. Its desirable level is below 3.4 mmol/L (130 mg/dL), 30 mg/dL above the LDL goal.

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Educational calculation only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges and units differ between laboratories; interpret any result with your doctor in the context of your full clinical picture.