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Non-HDL Cholesterol Calculator
Non-HDL cholesterol is simply total cholesterol minus HDL, and it captures every atherogenic ("bad") particle — not just LDL — which is why many guidelines treat it as a better target than LDL alone. This calculator computes non-HDL and checks it against treatment goals: generally below 130 mg/dL, below 100 mg/dL if you are at high risk, and below 85 mg/dL at very-high risk (per NLA / ACC-AHA). For example, a total of 200 mg/dL with an HDL of 50 gives non-HDL of 150 mg/dL — above the general goal. Because it needs only total cholesterol and HDL, non-HDL is computable even when your LDL is missing. The tool also shows TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL from the same panel, in mg/dL or mmol/L. Non-HDL is a treatment goal and a risk marker, not a diagnosis — see a clinician for decisions. Free, private, browser-only.
non-HDL = total cholesterol − HDL — goal <130 mg/dL (<100 high-risk, <85 very-high-risk)
- Worked example: total 200 − HDL 50 = 150 mg/dL (above the <130 goal)
- Computable even without LDL; shown with TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL
Frequently asked questions
What is a good non-HDL cholesterol level?
Non-HDL cholesterol (total − HDL) is framed as a treatment goal: generally below 130 mg/dL, below 100 mg/dL if you are at high risk, and below 85 mg/dL at very-high risk (per NLA / ACC-AHA). A total of 200 with an HDL of 50 gives 150, above the general goal. It captures all atherogenic particles, so many clinicians prefer it to LDL alone. It is a risk marker, not a diagnosis.
How is non-HDL cholesterol different from LDL?
LDL is one atherogenic particle; non-HDL (total cholesterol − HDL) includes LDL plus other "bad" particles like VLDL remnants, so it is a fuller measure of cardiovascular risk. It also needs only total cholesterol and HDL, meaning it can be computed when LDL is unavailable or unreliable (for example when triglycerides are high and Friedewald LDL is invalid).