Free tool
Non-HDL Cholesterol Calculator
Non-HDL cholesterol includes every artery-clogging particle in your blood — LDL and the other "bad" lipoproteins combined. Many guidelines now treat it as a better risk marker than LDL alone, especially when triglycerides are elevated. Enter your latest numbers to calculate it.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor about your lab results.
How Non-HDL Cholesterol Is Calculated
The formula is: Total Cholesterol − HDL Cholesterol. Unlike LDL, it doesn't require a separate calculation from triglycerides — and unlike LDL, it stays accurate even when triglycerides are high, which is exactly when the Friedewald LDL estimate breaks down.
| Non-HDL (mg/dL) | Category |
|---|---|
| Under 100 | Optimal |
| 100–129 | Near optimal |
| 130–159 | Borderline high |
| 160–189 | High |
| 190+ | Very high |
Non-HDL vs. LDL: Which Matters More?
LDL is calculated (usually via the Friedewald equation) and becomes unreliable above roughly 400 mg/dL triglycerides. Non-HDL doesn't have that limitation — it's just subtraction — which is why major cardiology guidelines increasingly cite it alongside or instead of LDL, particularly for people with high triglycerides or metabolic syndrome.