Body Surface
Area
BSA in m² by Mosteller and Du Bois.
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Clinical — Lipids
LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Enter total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides to estimate LDL cholesterol by the Friedewald equation, with non-HDL.
LDL cholesterol
—
Friedewald estimate.
| Non-HDL cholesterol | — |
|---|---|
| VLDL triglycerides ÷ 5 | — |
| Interpretation | — |
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Enter your figures above to see the step-by-step working.
For clinical reference — not valid when triglycerides ≥ 400 mg/dLEverything computed client-side — nothing leaves this page
How the LDL Cholesterol Calculator Works
When LDL cholesterol is not measured directly, it is estimated from a standard lipid panel using the Friedewald equation: total cholesterol minus HDL minus an estimate of VLDL, which is taken as triglycerides divided by five. Enter your total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides in mg/dL.
The estimate breaks down when triglycerides are high, so it is not valid at or above 400 mg/dL — a direct LDL is needed there. The calculator also shows non-HDL cholesterol (total minus HDL), which many guidelines now emphasise.
LDL = total cholesterol − HDL − triglycerides ÷ 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy LDL level?
LDL under 100 mg/dL is considered optimal, 100–129 near optimal, 130–159 borderline high, 160–189 high, and 190 or above very high. Your personal target depends on your overall cardiovascular risk.
When is the Friedewald LDL not accurate?
It is unreliable when triglycerides are 400 mg/dL or higher, and it underestimates LDL at very low LDL levels. In those cases a directly measured LDL is preferred.
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL. It captures all the cholesterol in atherogenic particles, is not affected by triglyceride level, and is increasingly used as a risk marker.
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