HDL conversion: to convert HDL cholesterol from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by 38.67. To convert HDL from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 38.67. Example: HDL 1.2 mmol/L = 46.4 mg/dL; HDL 1.6 mmol/L = 61.9 mg/dL. The same factor works for total and LDL cholesterol.
HDL Cholesterol Calculator
Conversion settings
HDL Cholesterol Conversion Factor
The HDL cholesterol conversion factor from mmol/L to mg/dL is 38.67, based on the molar mass of cholesterol (386.65 g/mol). HDL, LDL, VLDL and total cholesterol all use this factor, because each is measured as cholesterol. Only triglycerides are different (88.57).
| Convert | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| HDL mmol/L to mg/dL | mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67 | 1.4 mmol/L = 54.1 mg/dL |
| HDL mg/dL to mmol/L | mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67 (or × 0.02586) | 60 mg/dL = 1.55 mmol/L |
| Total or LDL cholesterol | same factor, 38.67 | 6.2 mmol/L = 239.8 mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57 | 1.7 mmol/L = 150.6 mg/dL |
HDL mmol/L to mg/dL Chart
| HDL (mmol/L) | HDL (mg/dL) | HDL level (general guide) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50 mmol/L | 19.3 mg/dL | Low (men and women) |
| 0.60 mmol/L | 23.2 mg/dL | Low (men and women) |
| 0.70 mmol/L | 27.1 mg/dL | Low (men and women) |
| 0.80 mmol/L | 30.9 mg/dL | Low (men and women) |
| 0.90 mmol/L | 34.8 mg/dL | Low (men and women) |
| 1.00 mmol/L | 38.7 mg/dL | Low for women, acceptable for men |
| 1.08 mmol/L | 41.8 mg/dL | Low for women, acceptable for men |
| 1.10 mmol/L | 42.5 mg/dL | Low for women, acceptable for men |
| 1.20 mmol/L | 46.4 mg/dL | Low for women, acceptable for men |
| 1.30 mmol/L | 50.3 mg/dL | Acceptable |
| 1.35 mmol/L | 52.2 mg/dL | Acceptable |
| 1.40 mmol/L | 54.1 mg/dL | Acceptable |
| 1.50 mmol/L | 58.0 mg/dL | Acceptable |
| 1.55 mmol/L | 59.9 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 1.60 mmol/L | 61.9 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 1.70 mmol/L | 65.7 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 1.80 mmol/L | 69.6 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 1.90 mmol/L | 73.5 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.00 mmol/L | 77.3 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.10 mmol/L | 81.2 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.20 mmol/L | 85.1 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.40 mmol/L | 92.8 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.60 mmol/L | 100.5 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 2.80 mmol/L | 108.3 mg/dL | High (protective) |
| 3.00 mmol/L | 116.0 mg/dL | High (protective) |
HDL mg/dL to mmol/L Conversion
To convert HDL from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 38.67. HDL 40 mg/dL = 1.03 mmol/L, 50 mg/dL = 1.29 mmol/L and 60 mg/dL = 1.55 mmol/L. For the reverse tool, use the HDL mg/dL to mmol/L converter.
| HDL (mg/dL) | HDL (mmol/L) |
|---|---|
| 20 mg/dL | 0.52 mmol/L |
| 25 mg/dL | 0.65 mmol/L |
| 30 mg/dL | 0.78 mmol/L |
| 35 mg/dL | 0.91 mmol/L |
| 40 mg/dL | 1.03 mmol/L |
| 45 mg/dL | 1.16 mmol/L |
| 50 mg/dL | 1.29 mmol/L |
| 55 mg/dL | 1.42 mmol/L |
| 60 mg/dL | 1.55 mmol/L |
| 65 mg/dL | 1.68 mmol/L |
| 70 mg/dL | 1.81 mmol/L |
| 75 mg/dL | 1.94 mmol/L |
| 80 mg/dL | 2.07 mmol/L |
| 90 mg/dL | 2.33 mmol/L |
| 100 mg/dL | 2.59 mmol/L |
Normal HDL Cholesterol Levels in mmol/L and mg/dL
| HDL cholesterol | mmol/L | mg/dL |
|---|---|---|
| Low (higher heart risk), men | below 1.0 | below 40 |
| Low (higher heart risk), women | below 1.3 | below 50 |
| High, generally protective | 1.55 or higher | 60 or higher |
Unlike LDL, higher HDL is generally better. Very high HDL (above about 2.3 mmol/L or 90 mg/dL) does not seem to give extra protection. Use the reference range on your own report.
Convert Your Full Lipid Profile (mmol/L to mg/dL)
A lipid panel usually reports total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. To convert the whole lipid profile from mmol/L to mg/dL:
- Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL and VLDL: multiply by 38.67.
- Triglycerides: multiply by 88.57 (not 38.67).
- Cholesterol ratio (total ÷ HDL): no conversion needed; the ratio is the same in both units.
- Non-HDL cholesterol = total cholesterol − HDL (in the same unit).
| Lipid test | Desirable (mmol/L) | Desirable (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | below 5.2 | below 200 |
| LDL cholesterol | below 2.6 | below 100 |
| HDL cholesterol | 1.0 or higher (men), 1.3 or higher (women) | 40 or higher (men), 50 or higher (women) |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | below 3.4 | below 130 |
| Triglycerides | below 1.7 | below 150 |
Cholesterol mmol/L to mg/dL Chart (Total, LDL and HDL)
Use this chart for any cholesterol result: total cholesterol values such as 6.2, 6.5 or 6.8 mmol/L, or LDL values such as 1.8, 3.4 or 4.1 mmol/L.
| Cholesterol (mmol/L) | Cholesterol (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 mmol/L | 58.0 mg/dL |
| 1.6 mmol/L | 61.9 mg/dL |
| 1.7 mmol/L | 65.7 mg/dL |
| 1.8 mmol/L | 69.6 mg/dL |
| 1.9 mmol/L | 73.5 mg/dL |
| 2.0 mmol/L | 77.3 mg/dL |
| 2.1 mmol/L | 81.2 mg/dL |
| 2.2 mmol/L | 85.1 mg/dL |
| 2.3 mmol/L | 88.9 mg/dL |
| 2.4 mmol/L | 92.8 mg/dL |
| 2.5 mmol/L | 96.7 mg/dL |
| 2.6 mmol/L | 100.5 mg/dL |
| 2.7 mmol/L | 104.4 mg/dL |
| 2.8 mmol/L | 108.3 mg/dL |
| 2.9 mmol/L | 112.1 mg/dL |
| 3.0 mmol/L | 116.0 mg/dL |
| 3.1 mmol/L | 119.9 mg/dL |
| 3.2 mmol/L | 123.7 mg/dL |
| 3.3 mmol/L | 127.6 mg/dL |
| 3.4 mmol/L | 131.5 mg/dL |
| 3.5 mmol/L | 135.3 mg/dL |
| 3.6 mmol/L | 139.2 mg/dL |
| 3.7 mmol/L | 143.1 mg/dL |
| 3.8 mmol/L | 146.9 mg/dL |
| 3.9 mmol/L | 150.8 mg/dL |
| 4.0 mmol/L | 154.7 mg/dL |
| 4.1 mmol/L | 158.5 mg/dL |
| 4.2 mmol/L | 162.4 mg/dL |
| 4.3 mmol/L | 166.3 mg/dL |
| 4.4 mmol/L | 170.1 mg/dL |
| 4.5 mmol/L | 174.0 mg/dL |
| 4.6 mmol/L | 177.9 mg/dL |
| 4.7 mmol/L | 181.7 mg/dL |
| 4.8 mmol/L | 185.6 mg/dL |
| 4.9 mmol/L | 189.5 mg/dL |
| 5.0 mmol/L | 193.4 mg/dL |
| 5.1 mmol/L | 197.2 mg/dL |
| 5.2 mmol/L | 201.1 mg/dL |
| 5.3 mmol/L | 205.0 mg/dL |
| 5.4 mmol/L | 208.8 mg/dL |
| 5.5 mmol/L | 212.7 mg/dL |
| 5.6 mmol/L | 216.6 mg/dL |
| 5.7 mmol/L | 220.4 mg/dL |
| 5.8 mmol/L | 224.3 mg/dL |
| 5.9 mmol/L | 228.2 mg/dL |
| 6.0 mmol/L | 232.0 mg/dL |
| 6.1 mmol/L | 235.9 mg/dL |
| 6.2 mmol/L | 239.8 mg/dL |
| 6.3 mmol/L | 243.6 mg/dL |
| 6.4 mmol/L | 247.5 mg/dL |
| 6.5 mmol/L | 251.4 mg/dL |
| 6.6 mmol/L | 255.2 mg/dL |
| 6.7 mmol/L | 259.1 mg/dL |
| 6.8 mmol/L | 263.0 mg/dL |
| 6.9 mmol/L | 266.8 mg/dL |
| 7.0 mmol/L | 270.7 mg/dL |
| 7.1 mmol/L | 274.6 mg/dL |
| 7.2 mmol/L | 278.4 mg/dL |
| 7.3 mmol/L | 282.3 mg/dL |
| 7.4 mmol/L | 286.2 mg/dL |
| 7.5 mmol/L | 290.0 mg/dL |
| 7.6 mmol/L | 293.9 mg/dL |
| 7.7 mmol/L | 297.8 mg/dL |
| 7.8 mmol/L | 301.6 mg/dL |
| 7.9 mmol/L | 305.5 mg/dL |
| 8.0 mmol/L | 309.4 mg/dL |
For bigger ranges see the cholesterol conversion chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert HDL from mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply HDL in mmol/L by 38.67. For example, 1.3 mmol/L × 38.67 = 50.3 mg/dL.
What is HDL 1.2 mmol/L in mg/dL?
1.2 mmol/L = 46.4 mg/dL: acceptable for men, slightly low for women.
What is HDL 1.6 mmol/L in mg/dL?
1.6 mmol/L = 61.9 mg/dL, a high, protective HDL level.
What is HDL 1.4 mmol/L in mg/dL?
1.4 mmol/L = 54.1 mg/dL.
What is HDL 60 mg/dL in mmol/L?
60 mg/dL ÷ 38.67 = 1.55 mmol/L.
What is the cholesterol conversion factor from mmol/L to mg/dL?
38.67 for total, LDL and HDL cholesterol; 88.57 for triglycerides.
What is cholesterol 6.2 mmol/L in mg/dL?
6.2 mmol/L = 239.8 mg/dL, the borderline-high to high boundary for total cholesterol.
What is a good HDL level in mmol/L?
At least 1.0 mmol/L for men and 1.3 mmol/L for women; 1.55 mmol/L (60 mg/dL) or higher is considered protective.
See all cholesterol and lipid conversions.