Note : Triglycerides are measured in a lipid panel, but they are not cholesterol; they use a separate conversion factor.” MedlinePlus also distinguishes triglycerides from cholesterol while noting they are measured in the same test.

Use this Cholesterol Units Converter to convert total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides between mg/dL and mmol/L. Enter a lipid value in either unit, and the converter updates the matching unit instantly using standard clinical conversion factors.

Reviewed by: AjaxCalculators Editorial Team
Last updated: April 29, 2026
Method source: Standard lipid unit conversion factors: total/HDL/LDL cholesterol mg/dL × 0.02586 = mmol/L, and triglycerides mg/dL × 0.01129 = mmol/L
Editorial standards: AjaxCalculators Editorial Policy

What This Cholesterol Units Converter Does

This calculator converts common lipid panel values between mg/dL and mmol/L. These are the two most common units used for cholesterol and triglyceride lab results.

The converter supports:

• Total cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• mg/dL to mmol/L conversion
• mmol/L to mg/dL conversion
• Separate triglyceride conversion factors
• Quick two-way conversion while typing

This is a unit converter only. It does not diagnose high cholesterol, low cholesterol, heart disease risk, diabetes risk, metabolic syndrome, or any medical condition.

Important Medical Note

This calculator converts units only. It does not decide whether your cholesterol or triglyceride result is healthy, borderline, high, low, or dangerous.

Lipid results should be interpreted with your overall health context, including age, sex, family history, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking status, cardiovascular history, medications, and clinician-recommended targets. If you have questions about your results, discuss them with a qualified healthcare professional.

mg/dL vs mmol/L

mg/dL means milligrams per deciliter. It describes how many milligrams of a substance are present in one deciliter of blood.

mmol/L means millimoles per liter. It describes the amount of substance in millimoles per liter of blood.

Both units describe concentration, but they are not interchangeable without a conversion factor. The conversion factor depends on the analyte. That is why cholesterol fractions and triglycerides must be converted separately.

Why Cholesterol and Triglycerides Use Different Conversion Factors

Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol use one conversion factor because they are reported as cholesterol mass concentration. Triglycerides use a different conversion factor because the molecular basis used for the clinical conversion is different.

This is why the calculator has two separate sections:

• Total serum cholesterol, HDL, or LDL
• Triglycerides

Do not use the cholesterol conversion factor for triglycerides, and do not use the triglyceride conversion factor for HDL, LDL, or total cholesterol.

Cholesterol Unit Conversion Formulas

For total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol:

mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586

mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67

These formulas apply to total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL. They do not apply to triglycerides.

Triglyceride Unit Conversion Formulas

For triglycerides:

mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.01129

mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57

These formulas apply to triglycerides only. Do not use them for HDL, LDL, or total cholesterol.

Conversion Factor Summary

Analyte	mg/dL to mmol/L	mmol/L to mg/dL
Total cholesterol	multiply by 0.02586	multiply by 38.67
HDL cholesterol	multiply by 0.02586	multiply by 38.67
LDL cholesterol	multiply by 0.02586	multiply by 38.67
Triglycerides	multiply by 0.01129	multiply by 88.57

Worked Example: Total Cholesterol mg/dL to mmol/L

Suppose your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL.

Step 1: Use the cholesterol conversion factor
mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586

Step 2: Substitute the value
mmol/L = 200 × 0.02586

Step 3: Calculate
mmol/L = 5.172

So, 200 mg/dL of total cholesterol is approximately 5.17 mmol/L.

Worked Example: LDL Cholesterol mmol/L to mg/dL

Suppose your LDL cholesterol is 2.6 mmol/L.

Step 1: Use the cholesterol reverse conversion factor
mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67

Step 2: Substitute the value
mg/dL = 2.6 × 38.67

Step 3: Calculate
mg/dL = 100.54

So, 2.6 mmol/L LDL cholesterol is approximately 101 mg/dL.

Worked Example: HDL Cholesterol mg/dL to mmol/L

Suppose your HDL cholesterol is 60 mg/dL.

Step 1: Use the cholesterol conversion factor
mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586

Step 2: Substitute the value
mmol/L = 60 × 0.02586

Step 3: Calculate
mmol/L = 1.5516

So, 60 mg/dL HDL cholesterol is approximately 1.55 mmol/L.

Worked Example: Triglycerides mg/dL to mmol/L

Suppose your triglycerides are 150 mg/dL.

Step 1: Use the triglyceride conversion factor
mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.01129

Step 2: Substitute the value
mmol/L = 150 × 0.01129

Step 3: Calculate
mmol/L = 1.6935

So, 150 mg/dL triglycerides are approximately 1.69 mmol/L.

Worked Example: Triglycerides mmol/L to mg/dL

Suppose your triglycerides are 1.7 mmol/L.

Step 1: Use the triglyceride reverse conversion factor
mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57

Step 2: Substitute the value
mg/dL = 1.7 × 88.57

Step 3: Calculate
mg/dL = 150.57

So, 1.7 mmol/L triglycerides are approximately 151 mg/dL.

How to Use This Cholesterol Units Converter

1. Choose the section for the value you want to convert.
2. Use the Total serum cholesterol, HDL or LDL section for total cholesterol, HDL, or LDL.
3. Use the Triglycerides section for triglyceride values.
4. Enter the value in the unit you already have.
5. If your report uses mg/dL, type the value into the mg/dL field.
6. If your report uses mmol/L, type the value into the mmol/L field.
7. Read the converted value in the paired field.
8. Use the reference conversion table if you want to verify the factor.
9. Click Refresh or reset the tool to clear the fields.

How to Interpret the Converted Result

The converted result is the same concentration expressed in a different unit. It does not change the actual lab result.

For example, 200 mg/dL total cholesterol and 5.17 mmol/L total cholesterol describe the same concentration in two different unit systems.

Use the converted value when:

• your doctor or lab uses a different unit
• you are comparing results from different countries
• you are reading medical content written for another unit system
• you want to enter a value into another calculator that requires a specific unit
• you are tracking older and newer lab reports with different units

Total Cholesterol Conversion

Total cholesterol is the overall cholesterol value reported on a lipid panel. It is commonly shown in mg/dL or mmol/L depending on the country or laboratory.

To convert total cholesterol:

Total cholesterol in mmol/L = total cholesterol in mg/dL × 0.02586

Total cholesterol in mg/dL = total cholesterol in mmol/L × 38.67

The same conversion factor is used for HDL and LDL cholesterol.

LDL Cholesterol Conversion

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol because higher LDL can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries. However, LDL targets are personal and depend on cardiovascular risk.

To convert LDL cholesterol:

LDL in mmol/L = LDL in mg/dL × 0.02586

LDL in mg/dL = LDL in mmol/L × 38.67

After conversion, do not interpret the number in isolation. Your clinician may set a lower or higher LDL target depending on your health history and risk profile.

HDL Cholesterol Conversion

HDL cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away from arteries. Like LDL and total cholesterol, HDL uses the cholesterol conversion factor.

To convert HDL cholesterol:

HDL in mmol/L = HDL in mg/dL × 0.02586

HDL in mg/dL = HDL in mmol/L × 38.67

HDL interpretation depends on clinical context. This converter only changes the unit.

Triglyceride Conversion

Triglycerides are fats measured in a lipid panel. They are not the same as cholesterol and should not use the cholesterol conversion factor.

To convert triglycerides:

Triglycerides in mmol/L = triglycerides in mg/dL × 0.01129

Triglycerides in mg/dL = triglycerides in mmol/L × 88.57

This separate conversion factor is why the calculator has a dedicated triglycerides section.

Quick Conversion Examples

Value	Analyte	Converted Result
200 mg/dL	Total cholesterol	5.17 mmol/L
100 mg/dL	LDL cholesterol	2.59 mmol/L
60 mg/dL	HDL cholesterol	1.55 mmol/L
150 mg/dL	Triglycerides	1.69 mmol/L
5.2 mmol/L	Total cholesterol	201 mg/dL
1.7 mmol/L	Triglycerides	151 mg/dL

mg/dL to mmol/L Conversion Table for Cholesterol

Cholesterol mg/dL	Cholesterol mmol/L
100	2.59
130	3.36
150	3.88
180	4.65
200	5.17
240	6.21
300	7.76

mg/dL to mmol/L Conversion Table for Triglycerides

Triglycerides mg/dL	Triglycerides mmol/L
100	1.13
150	1.69
200	2.26
250	2.82
300	3.39
400	4.52
500	5.65

mmol/L to mg/dL Conversion Table for Cholesterol

Cholesterol mmol/L	Cholesterol mg/dL
2.0	77
2.5	97
3.0	116
4.0	155
5.0	193
6.0	232
7.0	271

mmol/L to mg/dL Conversion Table for Triglycerides

Triglycerides mmol/L	Triglycerides mg/dL
1.0	89
1.5	133
1.7	151
2.0	177
2.5	221
3.0	266
5.0	443

What Is a Lipid Panel?

A lipid panel is a blood test that commonly includes total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Some reports may also include non-HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, cholesterol ratios, or other advanced lipid markers.

This converter focuses only on unit conversion for the main lipid values. It does not calculate cardiovascular risk, medication need, or treatment targets.

What Is Total Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is the overall cholesterol measurement in the blood. It includes cholesterol carried by different lipoproteins, including HDL, LDL, and other cholesterol-containing particles.

Total cholesterol is useful, but it is not the only number used for heart-health decisions. LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, medical history, and risk factors may all matter.

What Is LDL Cholesterol?

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. LDL cholesterol is often a major focus in cardiovascular prevention because high LDL can contribute to atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

Converting LDL between mg/dL and mmol/L helps compare lab reports across unit systems. It does not determine your personal LDL goal.

What Is HDL Cholesterol?

HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is often described as “good” cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away from the bloodstream and arteries.

HDL uses the same mg/dL to mmol/L conversion factor as total cholesterol and LDL.

What Are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. They are measured on many lipid panels along with cholesterol values.

Triglycerides use a different conversion factor from cholesterol. If you use the cholesterol factor for triglycerides, the converted result will be wrong.

Cholesterol Unit Conversion and Ratios

Some lipid ratios, such as total cholesterol to HDL ratio, are unitless when both values are in the same unit system.

For example:

• Total cholesterol / HDL using mg/dL gives the same ratio as total cholesterol / HDL using mmol/L.
• The units cancel out when both values use the same unit.
• Do not mix one value in mg/dL with another value in mmol/L when calculating ratios.

If your values are in mixed units, convert them first before calculating a ratio.

Common Mistake: Using the Wrong Conversion Factor

The most common error is using the cholesterol conversion factor for triglycerides or using the triglyceride conversion factor for cholesterol.

Value Type	Correct Factor	Incorrect Factor to Avoid
Total cholesterol	mg/dL × 0.02586	Do not use 0.01129
HDL cholesterol	mg/dL × 0.02586	Do not use 0.01129
LDL cholesterol	mg/dL × 0.02586	Do not use 0.01129
Triglycerides	mg/dL × 0.01129	Do not use 0.02586

Why Lab Reports Use Different Units

Different countries and healthcare systems use different reporting units. Many U.S. lab reports use mg/dL. Many other countries commonly report lipid values in mmol/L.

A unit converter helps when you are:

• moving between healthcare systems
• reading international medical articles
• comparing past and current lab reports
• entering values into a calculator that expects a specific unit
• discussing results with a clinician in another country

Should Converted Cholesterol Values Be Rounded?

Converted lipid values are usually rounded for readability. For example, 200 mg/dL total cholesterol converts to 5.172 mmol/L, which may be shown as 5.17 mmol/L.

Reasonable rounding examples:

• mmol/L values are often shown to 1 or 2 decimal places.
• mg/dL values are often shown as whole numbers.
• Do not over-interpret tiny differences caused by rounding.

If your lab report shows a value rounded differently, it may still represent the same underlying concentration.

Can This Converter Tell Me If My Cholesterol Is High?

No. This page should not label values as normal, high, low, dangerous, or safe. It only converts units.

Cholesterol interpretation depends on personal risk and clinical context. For example, an LDL value that might be acceptable for one person may be too high for someone with known cardiovascular disease, diabetes, very high risk, or a clinician-recommended lower LDL target.

When to Talk to a Healthcare Professional

Consider discussing your lipid results with a healthcare professional if:

• your LDL cholesterol is above your personal target
• your triglycerides are high
• your HDL is low
• your total cholesterol is high
• you have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease
• you have a family history of early heart disease
• you smoke or recently quit smoking
• you are already taking cholesterol medication
• you are unsure how to interpret your report

A clinician can interpret the converted values with your full health profile.

Fasting vs Non-Fasting Lipid Results

Some lipid panels are fasting, while others are non-fasting. The unit conversion does not change based on fasting status, but clinical interpretation may differ.

For example, triglycerides can be affected by recent meals. If your triglyceride result is unexpected, your clinician may consider whether the test was fasting or non-fasting and whether a repeat test is needed.

Using This Converter With Other Tools

After converting your values, you may want to use related tools for additional calculations.

• Use a cholesterol ratio calculator to calculate total cholesterol / HDL or LDL / HDL ratios.
• Use a general mmol/L to mg/dL calculator for other analytes.
• Use a cardiovascular risk calculator only if it is appropriate for your country, age group, and clinical context.

Make sure all values are in the required units before entering them into another calculator.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not use the triglyceride conversion factor for HDL, LDL, or total cholesterol.
• Do not use the cholesterol conversion factor for triglycerides.
• Do not mix mg/dL and mmol/L in a cholesterol ratio.
• Do not treat unit conversion as medical interpretation.
• Do not compare your LDL value with someone else’s target without considering risk factors.
• Do not ignore clinician-specific targets if you have cardiovascular disease or high risk.
• Do not assume rounded converted values are lab errors.
• Do not use this calculator for glucose, creatinine, uric acid, or other blood tests unless the tool specifically supports those analytes.

Important Assumptions and Limitations

• This calculator converts total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides only.
• It assumes the entered value is a valid lipid concentration.
• It uses standard clinical conversion factors.
• It does not interpret cholesterol or triglyceride risk categories.
• It does not calculate LDL from total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides.
• It does not calculate non-HDL cholesterol.
• It does not calculate cholesterol ratios.
• It does not account for fasting status, medications, diabetes, pregnancy, kidney disease, thyroid disease, or cardiovascular risk.
• It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Practical Uses

This Cholesterol Units Converter can be useful for:

• converting cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L
• converting cholesterol from mmol/L to mg/dL
• converting LDL units
• converting HDL units
• converting total cholesterol units
• converting triglyceride units
• comparing lab reports from different countries
• entering values into another lipid calculator
• checking medical content that uses another unit system
• understanding why triglycerides use a separate factor

When You May Need a Different Calculator

This calculator is best for lipid unit conversion. You may need another calculator if you want to calculate:

• total cholesterol / HDL ratio
• LDL / HDL ratio
• non-HDL cholesterol
• estimated LDL cholesterol
• cardiovascular risk score
• blood glucose conversion
• HbA1c conversion
• general mmol/L to mg/dL conversion for other analytes

References

1. AjaxCalculators live Cholesterol Units Converter
2. NCBI Bookshelf: Lipid Conversion Factors
3. American Heart Association: What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
4. NHLBI: Blood Cholesterol Diagnosis
5. MedlinePlus: Cholesterol Levels — What You Need to Know
6. CDC: About Cholesterol
7. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Lipid Panel

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Medical unit note: This calculator converts cholesterol and triglyceride units only. It does not diagnose high cholesterol, low HDL, high LDL, high triglycerides, heart disease risk, or treatment need. Lipid results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional using your full health history, risk factors, medications, fasting status, and personal treatment goals.