Cholesterol mmol/L to mg/dL
Instantly and accurately convert total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides between mmol/L and mg/dL for easy lipid panel interpretation.
Convert Cholesterol Units
Enter your blood test results in mmol/L below to get an instant, accurate conversion to mg/dL, based on standard medical conversion factors.
Lipid Converter
Fill in your lab results to see the converted metric breakdown
Select the specific lipid from your blood test
Your result in millimoles per litre
Standard medical multiplier
Converted Result
Breakdown based on standard clinical factors
Standard Lipid Target Ranges
General guideline ranges for adult lipid panels. Target levels may vary based on individual cardiovascular risk, so always consult your healthcare provider.
| Lipid Type | Optimal / Normal | Borderline High | High / Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | < 5.0 mmol/L (< 193 mg/dL) | 5.0–6.2 mmol/L | > 6.2 mmol/L (> 240 mg/dL) |
| LDL Cholesterol | < 3.0 mmol/L (< 116 mg/dL) | 3.0–4.1 mmol/L | > 4.1 mmol/L (> 159 mg/dL) |
| HDL Cholesterol | > 1.0 mmol/L (> 39 mg/dL) * | 0.9–1.0 mmol/L | < 0.9 mmol/L (< 35 mg/dL) |
| Triglycerides | < 1.7 mmol/L (< 150 mg/dL) | 1.7–2.2 mmol/L | > 2.2 mmol/L (> 195 mg/dL) |
* For HDL, higher is generally better. > 1.2 mmol/L (> 46 mg/dL) is considered protective for women.
Cholesterol Conversion FAQ
Everything you need to know about converting lipid panel results and understanding the different units.
To convert total cholesterol, LDL, or HDL from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the value by 38.67. For example, 5.0 mmol/L × 38.67 = 193.35 mg/dL.
Triglycerides use a different conversion factor due to their molecular weight. To convert triglycerides from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the value by 88.57.
A normal total cholesterol level is generally considered to be below 5.0 mmol/L (or below 193 mg/dL). However, target levels may vary based on individual cardiovascular risk factors, age, and medical history, so always consult your doctor.
The UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe use the SI unit mmol/L (millimoles per litre) for blood tests. The United States, Japan, and a few other countries traditionally use mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre). Both measure the exact same thing, just expressed in different units.