Cholesterol Units Converter
Convert cholesterol levels between mg/dL and mmol/L.
Enter values to see the results.
If you've ever looked at a cholesterol lab report from a different country or read a medical study online, you may have encountered a confusing problem: cholesterol levels are measured in two different units. The United States and some other countries use milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while most of the rest of the world, including Canada and Europe, uses millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This Cholesterol Units Converter is a simple tool designed to eliminate that confusion, allowing you to instantly and accurately translate lipid values from one system to the other.
Why Are There Two Different Units?
The difference comes down to measuring concentration in two ways:
- mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter): This measures the concentration by **weight**. It tells you how many milligrams of a substance (like cholesterol) are present in one deciliter of blood.
- mmol/L (millimoles per liter): This measures the concentration by the **number of molecules**. It tells you how many millions of molecules of a substance are in one liter of blood.
Because different lipids (like cholesterol and triglycerides) have different molecular weights, the conversion factor between mg/dL and mmol/L is not the same for all of them. This is a critical detail that this calculator handles automatically.
The Conversion Factors
To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L, you divide by a specific factor. To convert from mmol/L to mg/dL, you multiply. This calculator uses the following standard conversion factors:
- For Total Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL:
- To convert mg/dL to mmol/L, multiply by 0.02586.
- To convert mmol/L to mg/dL, divide by 0.02586 (or multiply by 38.67).
- For Triglycerides:
- To convert mg/dL to mmol/L, multiply by 0.01129.
- To convert mmol/L to mg/dL, divide by 0.01129 (or multiply by 88.57).
How to Use the Converter
The tool is designed for ease of use:
- Select Lipid Type: Choose the specific lipid you want to convert from the dropdown menu (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, or Triglycerides). This is important because the conversion factor is different for triglycerides.
- Enter Value: Input the number from your lab report into the "Value to Convert" field.
- Set Units: The "From" and "To" dropdowns will be set by default. If you need to convert in the opposite direction, you can either change them manually or simply click the swap button () to instantly reverse the conversion.
The calculator will immediately display the converted result, making it easy to understand your lipid levels no matter which unit system you're looking at.
General Healthy Ranges
Having your values in the correct units is the first step. The next is understanding what they mean. Here are the generally accepted healthy ranges for adults in both units:
| Lipid | Healthy Range (mg/dL) | Healthy Range (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | < 200 | < 5.17 |
| LDL ("Bad") | < 100 | < 2.59 |
| HDL ("Good") | > 60 | > 1.55 |
| Triglycerides | < 150 | < 1.70 |
These are general guidelines. Your doctor may recommend different target levels based on your overall health profile, including factors like age, family history, and the presence of other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider to interpret your lab results and for personalized health recommendations.