Lab units · lipids
Cholesterol converter, mg/dL to mmol/L.
Convert total, LDL or HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, between the US unit (mg/dL) and the SI unit (mmol/L) used in Canada, the UK, Australia and Europe. Cholesterol and triglycerides use different factors.
Convert a lipid value
Result
Enter a value in either box.
Why cholesterol and triglycerides need different factors
The conversion depends on the molar mass of the molecule being measured. Cholesterol (386.65 g/mol) gives mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586 (or ÷ 38.67). Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol all use that same factor because each is reported as cholesterol mass. Triglycerides are reported using the molar mass of a representative triglyceride (about 885.4 g/mol), giving mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.01129 (or ÷ 88.57). Using the cholesterol factor on triglycerides is a common error and understates the result by more than half.
Worked examples
200 mg/dL total cholesterol = 200 × 0.02586 = 5.17 mmol/L. 150 mg/dL triglycerides = 150 × 0.01129 = 1.69 mmol/L. Going the other way, 5.0 mmol/L cholesterol = 5.0 ÷ 0.02586 = 193 mg/dL.
Cholesterol chart (total, LDL, HDL)
| mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|
| 100 mg/dL | 2.59 mmol/L |
| 130 mg/dL | 3.36 mmol/L |
| 160 mg/dL | 4.14 mmol/L |
| 190 mg/dL | 4.91 mmol/L |
| 200 mg/dL | 5.17 mmol/L |
| 240 mg/dL | 6.21 mmol/L |
Triglycerides chart
| mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|
| 50 mg/dL | 0.56 mmol/L |
| 100 mg/dL | 1.13 mmol/L |
| 150 mg/dL | 1.69 mmol/L |
| 200 mg/dL | 2.26 mmol/L |
| 300 mg/dL | 3.39 mmol/L |
| 500 mg/dL | 5.65 mmol/L |
Sources
Molar masses from NIH PubChem (cholesterol). The two SI factors are the standard clinical-chemistry conversion factors used in laboratory reporting. Reference intervals are intentionally not shown: they vary by guideline, age and risk, so use your reporting laboratory's range.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Multiply by 0.02586. For example 200 mg/dL × 0.02586 = 5.17 mmol/L.
How do I convert triglycerides from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Multiply by 0.01129. For example 150 mg/dL × 0.01129 = 1.69 mmol/L. Do not use the cholesterol factor.
Do LDL and HDL use the same factor as total cholesterol?
Yes. Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol are all reported as cholesterol mass, so all three use 0.02586.
Is my result good or bad?
This page cannot say. Targets depend on your age, other risk factors and the guideline your clinician follows. It only converts units.
Reference information, not medical advice
This page converts units only. It does not interpret a result, and units and reference intervals differ between laboratories. Ask the clinician who ordered the test or the reporting laboratory what a result means for you. If you are worried about a result or symptoms, contact a health professional; in an emergency call your local emergency number.