Cholesterol Units Converter

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

Divide the mg/dL value by 38.67. For example, total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL equals 200 / 38.67 = about 5.17 mmol/L. This applies to total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, which share the same molecular weight.

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

Multiply the mmol/L value by 38.67. For example, 5.2 mmol/L equals 5.2 x 38.67 = about 201.1 mg/dL. The factor is the same for total cholesterol, LDL and HDL.

Q: Why do triglycerides use a different conversion factor (88.57)?

Because triglyceride molecules are heavier. The mg/dL to mmol/L divisor equals the substance's molecular weight divided by 10: cholesterol is about 386.65 g/mol (divisor 38.67), while a typical triglyceride is about 885.7 g/mol (divisor 88.57). So triglycerides in mg/dL convert to mmol/L by dividing by 88.57, not 38.67.

Q: What is a desirable total cholesterol level?

As a general reference, total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL (below 5.2 mmol/L) is considered desirable, 200-239 mg/dL (5.2-6.2 mmol/L) borderline high, and 240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) or above high. These are general reference bands and guidelines vary by country and organization.

Q: What are the normal ranges for LDL, HDL and triglycerides?

General reference bands: LDL below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) is optimal and 190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) or above very high; HDL below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) is low and 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above high (protective); triglycerides below 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) are normal and 500 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or above very high. Guidelines vary, so confirm with your clinician.

Q: Why do the US and other countries use different cholesterol units?

It is a convention, like Fahrenheit versus Celsius. The United States reports lipid panels in mg/dL (mass per volume), while most other countries use mmol/L (amount of substance per volume, the SI unit). Both describe the same concentration, so converting is just arithmetic with the factors 38.67 for cholesterol and 88.57 for triglycerides.

Q: Is this cholesterol converter medical advice?

No. This tool performs unit arithmetic on values you enter and shows general reference ranges for context. It does not diagnose, treat, or assess cardiovascular risk, and the ranges are general - guidelines vary. Always discuss your lipid results with a qualified clinician.

Q: How is this different from a general unit converter?

This tool converts only medical lipid units (mg/dL to mmol/L) for cholesterol and triglycerides, with the correct clinical factors (38.67 and 88.57) and general reference ranges for context. For general-purpose conversion of length, weight, temperature, energy and other everyday units, use a general unit converter instead.

Convert cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL) and triglyceride values between mg/dL and mmol/L — the two unit systems used on lab reports worldwide. Cholesterol uses ÷ 38.67; triglycerides use ÷ 88.57. General reference ranges are shown for context (guidelines vary). Everything runs 100% in your browser — no data leaves your device.

Lipid type

Value

From unit

To unit

Triglycerides use a different factor (88.57) because their molecular weight differs — see “Why two factors?” below.

General reference ranges

General reference (NCEP ATP III style). Guidelines vary by country and organization — ask your clinician which targets apply to you.

Lipid	Category	mg/dL	mmol/L
Total cholesterol	Desirable	< 200	< 5.2
	Borderline high	200 – 239	5.2 – 6.2
	High	≥ 240	≥ 6.2
LDL cholesterol	Optimal	< 100	< 2.6
	Near optimal	100 – 129	2.6 – 3.3
	Borderline high	130 – 159	3.4 – 4.1
	High	160 – 189	4.1 – 4.9
	Very high	≥ 190	≥ 4.9
HDL cholesterol	Low	< 40	< 1.0
	Acceptable	40 – 59	1.0 – 1.5
	High (protective)	≥ 60	≥ 1.6
Triglycerides	Normal	< 150	< 1.7
	Borderline high	150 – 199	1.7 – 2.2
	High	200 – 499	2.3 – 5.6
	Very high	≥ 500	≥ 5.6

Note: for HDL, some guidelines use < 50 mg/dL (< 1.3 mmol/L) as the low threshold for women. mmol/L values are the mg/dL thresholds converted with the clinical factors (38.67 / 88.57), rounded to one decimal.

Why two factors?

Cholesterol (total, LDL, 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

The divisor equals the substance's molecular weight divided by 10 (because 1 dL = 0.1 L). Cholesterol's molecular weight is about 386.65 g/mol → divisor 38.67. A typical triglyceride's is about 885.7 g/mol → divisor 88.57. Using 38.67 for triglycerides (a common mistake) gives a wrong result.

Scope boundary

This tool converts only medical lipid units — mg/dL ↔ mmol/L for cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL) and triglycerides — with clinical factors and general reference ranges for context. For general-purpose conversion of everyday units (length, weight, temperature, energy, …), use our general unit converter. Related health tool: BMI calculator.

Estimates only — not professional medical advice. This converter performs unit arithmetic on values you enter; it does not diagnose, treat, or assess cardiovascular risk. Reference ranges shown are general and guidelines vary. Always discuss your lipid results with a qualified clinician.

Frequently asked questions

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

Divide the mg/dL value by 38.67. For example, total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL equals 200 ÷ 38.67 = about 5.17 mmol/L. This applies to total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, which share the same molecular weight.

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

Multiply the mmol/L value by 38.67. For example, 5.2 mmol/L equals 5.2 × 38.67 = about 201.1 mg/dL. The factor is the same for total cholesterol, LDL and HDL.

Why do triglycerides use a different conversion factor (88.57)?

Because triglyceride molecules are heavier. The mg/dL → mmol/L divisor equals the substance's molecular weight divided by 10: cholesterol is about 386.65 g/mol (divisor 38.67), while a typical triglyceride is about 885.7 g/mol (divisor 88.57). So triglycerides in mg/dL convert to mmol/L by dividing by 88.57, not 38.67.

What is a desirable total cholesterol level?

As a general reference, total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL (below 5.2 mmol/L) is considered desirable, 200–239 mg/dL (5.2–6.2 mmol/L) borderline high, and 240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) or above high. These are general reference bands and guidelines vary by country and organization.

What are the normal ranges for LDL, HDL and triglycerides?

General reference bands: LDL below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) is optimal and 190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) or above very high; HDL below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) is low and 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above high (protective); triglycerides below 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) are normal and 500 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or above very high. Guidelines vary, so confirm with your clinician.

Why do the US and other countries use different cholesterol units?

It is a convention, like Fahrenheit versus Celsius. The United States reports lipid panels in mg/dL (mass per volume), while most other countries use mmol/L (amount of substance per volume, the SI unit). Both describe the same concentration, so converting is just arithmetic with the factors 38.67 for cholesterol and 88.57 for triglycerides.

Is this cholesterol converter medical advice?

No. This tool performs unit arithmetic on values you enter and shows general reference ranges for context. It does not diagnose, treat, or assess cardiovascular risk, and the ranges are general — guidelines vary. Always discuss your lipid results with a qualified clinician.

How is this different from a general unit converter?

This tool converts only medical lipid units (mg/dL ↔ mmol/L) for cholesterol and triglycerides, with the correct clinical factors (38.67 and 88.57) and general reference ranges for context. For general-purpose conversion of length, weight, temperature, energy and other everyday units, use a general unit converter instead.

Free tool by NRTechStudio

Cholesterol Units Converter

General reference ranges

Why two factors?

Scope boundary

Frequently asked questions

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