To convert LDL cholesterol from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by 38.67. For example, 2.6 mmol/L of LDL equals 100.5 mg/dL. Enter your own value below.
LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Conversion settings
LDL Cholesterol Conversion Formula
mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67
mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67 (or × 0.02586)
The factor comes from the molar mass of cholesterol (386.65 g/mol). One millimole is 386.65 mg, and one litre is ten decilitres, so 1 mmol/L = 38.67 mg/dL. The same factor applies to total, HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, because every lipoprotein fraction is reported as the cholesterol it carries.
Common LDL Values in Both Units
| LDL (mmol/L) | LDL (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| 1.4 | 54.1 |
| 1.8 | 69.6 |
| 2.0 | 77.3 |
| 2.6 | 100.5 |
| 3.0 | 116.0 |
| 3.4 | 131.5 |
| 4.1 | 158.5 |
| 4.9 | 189.5 |
Need a longer table? See the mmol/L to mg/dL conversion charts.
What Is LDL Cholesterol?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carries cholesterol from the liver to the body’s tissues. When there is more LDL than the body needs, it can build up in artery walls and form plaque. That is why LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol, and why most treatment decisions for cholesterol are based on the LDL number rather than on total cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol Ranges (General Adult Categories)
| Category | mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | Below 100 | Below 2.6 |
| Near optimal | 100–129 | 2.6–3.3 |
| Borderline high | 130–159 | 3.4–4.1 |
| High | 160–189 | 4.1–4.9 |
| Very high | 190 and above | 4.9 and above |
These categories come from the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP ATP III) and are still widely printed on lab reports. Many laboratories round the mmol/L cut-offs slightly differently, so always use the reference range printed on your own report.
LDL Targets by Cardiovascular Risk
European (ESC/EAS 2019) guidelines set LDL goals by overall risk rather than by a single cut-off:
- Very high risk: below 1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL)
- High risk: below 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL)
- Moderate risk: below 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL)
- Low risk: below 3.0 mmol/L (116 mg/dL)
Your doctor decides which group applies to you based on age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, kidney function and any previous heart disease or stroke.
Worked Examples
- 3.2 mmol/L × 38.67 = 123.7 mg/dL (near optimal)
- 1.7 mmol/L × 38.67 = 65.7 mg/dL
- 160 mg/dL ÷ 38.67 = 4.14 mmol/L (high)
Measured vs Calculated LDL
Many labs do not measure LDL directly. They calculate it from the rest of the lipid panel with the Friedewald equation:
- In mmol/L: LDL = total cholesterol − HDL − (triglycerides ÷ 2.2)
- In mg/dL: LDL = total cholesterol − HDL − (triglycerides ÷ 5)
Notice that triglycerides use a different divisor in each unit, because triglycerides have a different conversion factor (88.57) than cholesterol (38.67). The equation becomes unreliable when triglycerides are above about 4.5 mmol/L (400 mg/dL); in that case labs usually measure LDL directly or use a newer equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert LDL from mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply the mmol/L value by 38.67. For example, 3.0 mmol/L × 38.67 = 116 mg/dL.
Is the LDL conversion factor the same as for total cholesterol?
Yes. Total, LDL, HDL and VLDL cholesterol all use 38.67, because each is measured as cholesterol. Triglycerides are different and use 88.57.
What is 2.6 mmol/L LDL in mg/dL?
2.6 mmol/L equals about 100.5 mg/dL, which is the usual boundary between “optimal” and “near optimal” LDL.
References
- Grundy SM et al. Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III, 2002.
- Mach F et al. 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. European Heart Journal 2020;41:111–188.
- Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS. Estimation of the concentration of LDL cholesterol in plasma. Clinical Chemistry 1972;18:499–502.
This converter is for education and unit conversion only. It does not replace advice from your doctor or the reference ranges on your own lab report.