What is the conversion factor for cholesterol?

For total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL, the factor is 0.02586 (divide mg/dL by 38.67 to get mmol/L, or multiply mmol/L by 38.67 to get mg/dL). Triglycerides use a different factor of 0.01129 (divide mg/dL by 88.57).

What is a healthy total cholesterol level?

Optimal total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L). Borderline high is 200–239 mg/dL (5.18–6.18 mmol/L). High is 240 mg/dL (6.22 mmol/L) or above.

What are healthy LDL and HDL levels?

For LDL, below 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) is optimal. For HDL, above 60 mg/dL (1.55 mmol/L) is considered protective; below 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) is a risk factor.

What is a healthy triglyceride level?

Normal triglycerides are below 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L). Borderline high is 150–199 mg/dL (1.69–2.25 mmol/L). High is 200 mg/dL (2.26 mmol/L) or above.

Why do different countries use different units?

The US, Canada, and some other countries use mg/dL, while most of Europe, Australia, and Asia use mmol/L. Both units measure the same thing — the concentration of lipids in the blood — just expressed differently.

Cholesterol Unit Converter

Name: Cholesterol Unit Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Convert total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride values between mg/dL and mmol/L with reference range indicators.

Enter a Value

Measurement Type

Convert From

mg/dL mmol/L

Value

mg/dL

Full Lipid Panel

Enter your entire panel at once. Leave a field blank to skip it.

All values in mg/dL All values in mmol/L

Total Cholesterol

LDL

HDL

Triglycerides

Full Lipid Panel Results

Measurement	Original	Converted	Status

Reference ranges are general guidelines. Consult a healthcare professional for personal interpretation.

Enter a cholesterol value on the left to see the result.

Reference Ranges at a Glance

Measure	Optimal	Borderline	High / At Risk
Total Cholesterol	<200 mg/dL <5.18 mmol/L	200–239 mg/dL 5.18–6.18 mmol/L	≥240 mg/dL ≥6.22 mmol/L
LDL	<100 mg/dL <2.59 mmol/L	130–159 mg/dL 3.37–4.11 mmol/L	≥160 mg/dL ≥4.14 mmol/L
HDL	≥60 mg/dL ≥1.55 mmol/L	41–59 mg/dL 1.06–1.53 mmol/L	≤40 mg/dL ≤1.04 mmol/L
Triglycerides	<150 mg/dL <1.69 mmol/L	150–199 mg/dL 1.69–2.25 mmol/L	≥200 mg/dL ≥2.26 mmol/L

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Summary

Convert total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride values between mg/dL and mmol/L with reference range indicators.

How it works

Select the measurement type: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, or triglycerides.
Choose your current unit (mg/dL or mmol/L).
Enter the value from your lab report.
The tool instantly converts the value and displays the result in the other unit.
A color-coded reference bar shows whether your value falls in the optimal, borderline, or high range.
Use the "Convert All" panel to enter your full lipid panel at once.

Use cases

Interpret lab results from a foreign country that uses different units.
Compare cholesterol readings from different healthcare providers.
Understand cholesterol values mentioned in medical research papers.
Convert values when switching between US and international health apps.
Quickly verify whether an LDL or HDL reading is within a healthy range.
Share lab values with a doctor or nutritionist who uses a different unit system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu