LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Friedewald formula — calculate LDL and cardiovascular risk markers from your lipid panel
Enter Lipid Panel Values
mg/dL
mg/dL
mg/dL
Formula valid when TG < 400 mg/dL
Results
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Enter your lipid panel values from your blood report.
Formula
LDL = Total Cholesterol − HDL − (Triglycerides ÷ 5)
- Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) — Total serum cholesterol
- HDL (mg/dL) — High-density lipoprotein
- Triglycerides (mg/dL) — Must be < 400 mg/dL for the formula to be valid
Example: Total 200, HDL 55, TG 120 → LDL = 200 − 55 − 24 = 121 mg/dL
Interpreting Your Result
< 100 mg/dL
Optimal
Target for people with heart disease
100–129
Near optimal
Good for most adults
130–159
Borderline high
Discuss with doctor
160–189
High
Requires medical attention
≥ 190
Very high
High cardiovascular risk
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Friedewald equation inaccurate?
It becomes unreliable when triglycerides exceed 400 mg/dL. Use a direct LDL measurement in that case.
Is lower LDL always better?
Generally yes for cardiovascular risk. Very low LDL (< 40 mg/dL) may be associated with other health concerns.