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LDL to HDL Ratio Calculator
The LDL-to-HDL ratio compares your "bad" cholesterol to your "good" cholesterol: LDL/HDL = LDL ÷ HDL, and a value below about 2 is considered ideal. It is a focused view of atherogenic versus protective cholesterol — for instance, an LDL of 130 mg/dL with an HDL of 50 gives 2.6. This calculator shows the LDL/HDL ratio with its band, and computes TC/HDL, TG/HDL and non-HDL from the same panel so you do not have to run four separate tools. Enter your figures in mg/dL or mmol/L; the tool converts each value with the correct factor (cholesterol ÷ 38.67). LDL is often derived rather than measured, via the Friedewald equation, so it can differ slightly from a directly-measured LDL. These ratios are cardiovascular risk markers, not a diagnosis — see a clinician for decisions. Free, private, browser-only.
LDL/HDL = LDL ÷ HDL — ideal below about 2
- Worked example: LDL 130 mg/dL ÷ HDL 50 = 2.6
- Shown with TC/HDL, TG/HDL and non-HDL from the same panel
Frequently asked questions
What is a good LDL to HDL ratio?
An LDL/HDL ratio below about 2 is generally considered ideal. It divides LDL ("bad") cholesterol by HDL ("good") cholesterol, so lowering LDL or raising HDL both improve it. An LDL of 130 with an HDL of 50 gives 2.6, above the ideal. Like all these ratios, it is a risk marker, not a diagnosis.
Why might my LDL number be an estimate?
Most labs derive LDL rather than measure it, using the Friedewald equation: LDL = total − HDL − (triglycerides ÷ 5). It is invalid when triglycerides exceed 400 mg/dL, where LDL must be measured directly. The newer Martin-Hopkins method uses an adjustable factor and is more accurate at low LDL or high triglycerides, so a derived LDL can differ slightly from a measured one.