Cholesterol Units Calculator — mmol/L ↔ mg/dL
Convert a full lipid panel between the two standard reporting units — mmol/L (used in Europe, the UK, Canada and Australia) and mg/dL (used in the US). Enter total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides in one unit and get all four converted instantly.
Conversion direction
mmol/L
mmol/L
mmol/L
mmol/L
Total cholesterol in mg/dL
- 1
Cholesterol conversion factor
1 mmol/L = 38.67 mg/dLBased on cholesterol molar mass ≈ 386.7 g/mol. - 2
Triglycerides factor (different molecule)
1 mmol/L = 88.57 mg/dLTriolein molar mass ≈ 885.4 g/mol — do not use this factor for cholesterol. - 3
Total cholesterol converted
5.2 × 38.67 = 201.08
How does this calculator work?
Multiply mmol/L by 38.67 to get mg/dL for cholesterol (TC, LDL, HDL), and by 88.57 for triglycerides (or divide to go the other way). The two conversion factors differ because the molar masses of cholesterol and triglycerides are different. Enter a full four-value lipid panel in either unit to get the other.
Formula
How this is calculated
Cholesterol and lipid measurements use two different unit systems worldwide. The United States reports in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL), while most other countries use millimoles per litre (mmol/L). The conversion uses the molar masses of the lipid molecules: cholesterol (TC, LDL, HDL) has a molar mass of approximately 386.65 g/mol, giving a factor of 38.67 mg/dL per mmol/L. Triglycerides are primarily triolein with a molar mass around 885.4 g/mol, giving a factor of 88.57 mg/dL per mmol/L.
The calculator converts all four standard lipid panel values in one step. To go from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by the appropriate factor; to go from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide. The factors are internationally standardised and constant regardless of the patient, diet or measurement method.
After conversion you can use the Cholesterol Ratio Calculator to compute TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL ratios using whichever unit system you prefer — but note that the TG/HDL insulin-resistance threshold differs: < 2.0 in mg/dL corresponds to approximately < 0.87 in mmol/L.
Frequently asked questions
Conversion between mmol/L and mg/dL depends on the molar mass of the molecule. Cholesterol (C₂₇H₄₆O) has a molar mass of ~386.7 g/mol (factor ≈ 38.67), while triglycerides — mainly triolein (C₅₇H₁₀₄O₆) — have a molar mass of ~885.4 g/mol (factor ≈ 88.57). Using the wrong factor for triglycerides is a common mistake.
Total cholesterol: desirable < 200 mg/dL (< 5.18 mmol/L). LDL: optimal < 100 mg/dL (< 2.59 mmol/L). HDL: high/protective ≥ 60 mg/dL (≥ 1.55 mmol/L). Triglycerides: normal < 150 mg/dL (< 1.69 mmol/L). These are general guidelines — your doctor may set different targets based on your cardiovascular risk.
Convert each value individually using its own factor: use ×38.67 for TC, LDL and HDL, and ×88.57 for triglycerides (to go from mmol/L to mg/dL; divide for the reverse). This calculator converts all four in a single step once you select the direction.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Cholesterol Units Calculator — mmol/L ↔ mg/dL [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cholesterol-units-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Cholesterol Units Calculator — mmol/L ↔ mg/dL." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cholesterol-units-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Cholesterol Units Calculator — mmol/L ↔ mg/dL," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cholesterol-units-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_cholesterol_units_calculator, title = {Cholesterol Units Calculator — mmol/L ↔ mg/dL}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cholesterol-units-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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