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Triglyceride to HDL Ratio Calculator (Insulin Resistance)
The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio (TG/HDL) is an underappreciated metabolic marker: in mg/dL units, a ratio at or above 1.5 is a widely-cited proxy for insulin resistance, and it is often one of the better predictors of cardiovascular risk. The formula is TG/HDL = triglycerides ÷ HDL, so triglycerides of 150 mg/dL with an HDL of 50 give 3.0 — well above the 1.5 flag. This calculator computes TG/HDL with its insulin-resistance flag and shows TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and non-HDL alongside it. Crucial caveat: the 1.5 cutoff is defined for mg/dL — it does not carry over to mmol/L unchanged, because cholesterol and triglycerides convert with different factors (38.67 vs 88.57). The tool converts every value to mg/dL before checking the cutoff. A raised TG/HDL is a metabolic signal, not a diagnosis — pair it with an A1C and see a clinician. Free, private, browser-only.
TG/HDL = triglycerides ÷ HDL — ≥ 1.5 (mg/dL) flags insulin resistance
- Worked example: triglycerides 150 mg/dL ÷ HDL 50 = 3.0 (above the 1.5 flag)
- The 1.5 cutoff is mg/dL-specific — mmol/L values are converted first
Frequently asked questions
What TG/HDL ratio indicates insulin resistance?
In mg/dL units, a triglyceride-to-HDL ratio at or above 1.5 is a commonly cited proxy for insulin resistance, and it is often one of the better cardiovascular risk predictors. It is triglycerides divided by HDL — so 150 ÷ 50 = 3.0, well above the flag. It is a metabolic signal, not a diagnosis; confirm with a clinician and consider checking your A1C.
Does the 1.5 TG/HDL cutoff apply to mmol/L?
No — the 1.5 threshold is defined for mg/dL. It does not transfer unchanged to mmol/L because cholesterol and triglycerides use different conversion factors (38.67 vs 88.57). If your lab reports mmol/L, convert to mg/dL before comparing. This calculator does that conversion for you before applying the cutoff.