Convert cholesterol and triglycerides between mg/dL and mmol/L, with lipid-panel interpretation.
Two different factors: cholesterol (total/HDL/LDL) uses ×0.02586 to mmol/L; triglycerides use ×0.01129. Never use one factor for both. Ranges are general adult reference bands, not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.
Lipid panel interpretation
How to use this tool
mg/dL (common in the US) or mmol/L (common in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia).
Fill in any or all of total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
Every value is shown in mg/dL and mmol/L together.
Each lipid is labelled desirable/optimal/normal/borderline/high — then discuss with a clinician.
Formula & worked example
Total cholesterol 200 mg/dL = 5.17 mmol/L (200 × 0.02586, borderline high). Triglycerides 150 mg/dL = 1.69 mmol/L (150 × 0.01129, borderline high). Same mg/dL, different mmol/L — the factor depends on the lipid.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
General adult reference bands only; they do not replace clinical advice, do not account for age, sex, medication or overall risk, and the HDL 'low' cut-off differs by sex in some guidelines (40 mg/dL men, 50 mg/dL women) — this tool uses the simplified <40 mg/dL band and says so. Triglyceride conversion is approximate because triglyceride molecules vary.
Frequently asked questions
mg/dL is a mass concentration and mmol/L a molar one, so the factor depends on molecular weight. Cholesterol uses 0.02586; triglycerides (larger, variable molecules) use 0.01129.
Under 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is desirable; 200–239 borderline high; 240+ high, in general adult reference ranges.
Under 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) is optimal in general ranges, but targets are individual — people with heart disease are often set lower targets by their clinician.
Yes — HDL ≥60 mg/dL (1.55 mmol/L) is considered protective, while under 40 mg/dL is low. For HDL, higher is better, unlike LDL.
No. They are standard reference bands for interpretation only. A single panel never diagnoses disease; always discuss it with a clinician.