● Clinical health

Understand your cholesterol panel in seconds.

Enter your lipid panel values and get instant, color-coded classification for Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides — plus key cardiovascular risk ratios per ACC/AHA 2018 guidelines.

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Cholesterol — Lipid Panel Interpretation

TC, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides — ACC/AHA 2018 & NCEP ATP III classification

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Your lipid panel

Units

Total Cholesterol mg/dL

mg/dL

LDL Cholesterol mg/dL

mg/dL

HDL Cholesterol mg/dL

mg/dL

Triglycerides mg/dL

mg/dL

Age

Sex

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Your results

Overall risk

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Total-C

—

LDL-C

—

HDL-C

—

Triglycerides

—

Non-HDL Cholesterol TC − HDL—

TC / HDL ratio cardiovascular risk marker—

LDL / HDL ratio—

Friedewald LDL check TC − HDL − TG/5—

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How it's calculated

Lipid panel interpretation — classification and risk ratios

The Cholesterol Calculator interprets a full lipid panel using ACC/AHA 2018 and NCEP ATP III thresholds. For a 40-year-old male with Total Cholesterol 190 mg/dL, LDL 115 mg/dL, HDL 55 mg/dL and Triglycerides 100 mg/dL: non-HDL = 135 mg/dL (borderline), TC/HDL ratio = 3.45 (average), Friedewald LDL check = 115 mg/dL (matches). Overall risk profile: Borderline.

Each marker in your lipid panel is classified independently against evidence-based thresholds, then combined into an overall cardiovascular risk summary. The Friedewald equation cross-checks your LDL against what can be derived from the other values — a discrepancy may indicate a lab error or elevated VLDL not captured by the standard formula.

Non-HDL = TC − HDL
TC/HDL ratio = TC ÷ HDL
LDL/HDL ratio = LDL ÷ HDL
Friedewald LDL = TC − HDL − (TG ÷ 5) [mg/dL]

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Classify Total Cholesterol (NCEP ATP III)
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2
Classify LDL Cholesterol (ACC/AHA 2018)
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3
Classify HDL (sex-specific, ACC/AHA)
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4
Classify Triglycerides (NCEP ATP III)
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5
Compute derived values and overall risk
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Understand the terms

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Often called "bad" cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol to arteries and can deposit it in artery walls, forming plaques. High LDL increases heart attack and stroke risk.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): "Good" cholesterol. HDL transports cholesterol from arteries back to the liver for clearance. High HDL (≥60 mg/dL) is a negative cardiovascular risk factor — it lowers risk.
Triglycerides: Fats stored in the bloodstream, mostly from dietary intake and liver synthesis. Elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL) are associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
Non-HDL Cholesterol: Total Cholesterol minus HDL. Captures all atherogenic lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL, IDL, remnants). A better risk marker than LDL alone when triglycerides are elevated. Target: <130 mg/dL.
Friedewald Equation: Formula to estimate LDL from TC, HDL and Triglycerides: LDL = TC − HDL − (TG ÷ 5). Valid when TG <400 mg/dL; direct LDL measurement is preferred at higher TG levels.

See the full glossary →

Disclaimer: estimation tool for informational and planning purposes, using ACC/AHA 2018 and NCEP ATP III reference tables. Classification thresholds apply to adults and may differ for individuals on lipid-lowering therapy, with diabetes, chronic kidney disease or other high-risk conditions. The Friedewald LDL estimate is not reliable when triglycerides exceed 400 mg/dL. Does not replace assessment by a physician or clinical lipidologist.

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Frequently asked questions — Cholesterol

What is considered a healthy LDL cholesterol level?

According to the ACC/AHA 2018 guidelines, an LDL below 100 mg/dL is Optimal. Near Optimal is 100–129 mg/dL, Borderline High is 130–159 mg/dL, High is 160–189 mg/dL, and Very High is ≥190 mg/dL. People at high cardiovascular risk (prior heart attack, diabetes, etc.) may need LDL below 70 mg/dL.

What is the Friedewald equation for LDL?

The Friedewald equation estimates LDL as: LDL = Total Cholesterol − HDL − (Triglycerides ÷ 5) in mg/dL. It's accurate when triglycerides are below 400 mg/dL. When triglycerides are higher, direct LDL measurement should be used. This calculator displays the Friedewald result as a cross-check for your entered LDL value.

What does non-HDL cholesterol mean?

Non-HDL cholesterol is Total Cholesterol minus HDL. It captures all atherogenic particles — LDL, VLDL, IDL and remnants. It's considered a better cardiovascular risk predictor than LDL alone, especially when triglycerides are elevated. A desirable non-HDL is below 130 mg/dL, and near-optimal is 130–159 mg/dL.

What is a good TC/HDL ratio?

The Total Cholesterol to HDL (TC/HDL) ratio is a simple cardiovascular risk marker. Below 3.5 is considered very low risk; 3.5–5.0 is average risk; above 5.0 indicates elevated risk. The American Heart Association considers a ratio at or above 5 concerning and a ratio of 3.5 or lower desirable.

What is HDL and why is it called "good" cholesterol?

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is called good cholesterol because it carries cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver, where it is broken down and removed. HDL ≥60 mg/dL is protective and counts as a negative risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Low HDL — under 40 mg/dL in men or under 50 mg/dL in women — raises heart disease risk significantly.

📚 Learn more — official sources

📋 Guideline ACC/AHA 2018 Cholesterol Management Guideline The primary evidence-based guideline used for LDL, HDL and cardiovascular risk classification. Covers treatment thresholds and lifestyle recommendations. See guideline → 📋 Guideline NCEP ATP III — Adult Treatment Panel III NHLBI reference document providing the classification thresholds for Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides used worldwide in lipid management. See official source → 🏛️ Organization ESC/EAS Guidelines for Dyslipidaemias European Society of Cardiology guidelines on lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction, covering non-HDL and LDL targets across risk categories. See official source → 🔬 Study Friedewald et al. (1972) — Estimation of LDL Cholesterol Original paper describing the Friedewald equation for estimating LDL from Total Cholesterol, HDL and Triglycerides — still in routine clinical use today. See on PubMed →

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About the Cholesterol Calculator

The Cholesterol Calculator interprets a full lipid panel using the ACC/AHA 2018 Blood Cholesterol Guideline and the NCEP ATP III classification thresholds — the two most widely used frameworks in clinical practice. Each marker (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides) is classified independently and color-coded, and key derived ratios (non-HDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, Friedewald LDL check) are computed instantly.

Understanding your lipid panel is a critical step in assessing cardiovascular risk. This tool gives you the same classification framework your doctor uses, along with plain-language explanations of what each value means — helping you have a more informed conversation at your next appointment.