Cholesterol Ratio Calculator
Total:HDL, LDL:HDL and triglyceride ratios.
Ratios add context but do not replace the absolute values. LDL, non-HDL cholesterol or ApoB remain the primary treatment targets in most guidelines.
Total : HDL ratio
3.5
Optimal
How the Cholesterol Ratio Calculator works
Ratios often predict cardiovascular risk better than any single lipid value, because they capture the balance between the particles that deposit cholesterol in artery walls and those that carry it away. A total cholesterol of 200 means something quite different at an HDL of 35 than at 75.
Not medical advice. This calculator gives a general estimate, not medical advice. It cannot account for your individual health, medical history, or medication. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any result.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good cholesterol ratio?
For total-to-HDL, under 3.5 is optimal, under 5 is acceptable and above 5 indicates increased risk. For triglyceride-to-HDL (in mg/dL), under 2 is good and above 3 is associated with insulin resistance and small dense LDL particles.
How is LDL calculated on a standard lipid panel?
Usually by the Friedewald equation: LDL = total − HDL − (triglycerides ÷ 5) in mg/dL. It becomes unreliable when triglycerides exceed about 400 mg/dL or when LDL is very low, which is when a direct measurement is ordered instead.
Is the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio useful?
It is a well-studied surrogate marker for insulin resistance and for the small dense LDL pattern associated with higher risk. It is not a diagnostic test, but a high ratio alongside a normal LDL is a signal many clinicians take seriously.
Do ratios replace looking at LDL?
No. LDL, and increasingly ApoB or non-HDL cholesterol, remains the primary treatment target in most guidelines. Ratios add context about the overall lipid picture; they do not substitute for the absolute numbers.