Cholesterol Units Converter
US lab reports print cholesterol in mg/dL; most of the rest of the world uses mmol/L. If you're reading an international study, comparing reports from two countries, or checking a reference range written in unfamiliar units, this converter flips the number instantly — for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides (which use a different factor).
Enter the number exactly as printed on your report
Triglycerides use a different conversion factor than cholesterol
US reports are usually mg/dL; European/Canadian/UK reports are usually mmol/L
Enter your values above to see your results.
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How it works
The conversion factors
Cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL): mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67 — or mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67. Triglycerides use a different factor because of a different molecular weight: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 88.57 — or mg/dL = mmol/L × 88.57. Example: 200 mg/dL total cholesterol ≈ 5.17 mmol/L; 150 mg/dL triglycerides ≈ 1.69 mmol/L.
Why two different factors?
mg/dL measures mass per volume; mmol/L measures molecule count per volume. Converting between them requires the molecular weight — and cholesterol (~386.7 g/mol) and triglycerides (~885.7 g/mol, as an average) differ, so each gets its own factor. This is why a triglyceride value can't be converted with the cholesterol constant.
Which unit does my report use?
US labs report mg/dL. The UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe report mmol/L. The unit is always printed next to the value on the report — when in doubt, check that column before converting.
Conversion vs ratio
This page converts units — it does not compute ratios. For TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratio views of the same lipid panel (which are unit-free and need no conversion), see our Cholesterol Ratio Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Divide by 38.67. Example: 200 mg/dL total cholesterol ÷ 38.67 ≈ 5.17 mmol/L. The same factor works for LDL and HDL. Triglycerides are different — divide by 88.57 instead (150 mg/dL ÷ 88.57 ≈ 1.69 mmol/L). The converter above does both instantly.
How do I convert mmol/L to mg/dL?
Multiply by 38.67 for cholesterol (e.g. 5.2 mmol/L × 38.67 ≈ 201 mg/dL) or by 88.57 for triglycerides (e.g. 1.7 mmol/L × 88.57 ≈ 151 mg/dL).
Why do triglycerides convert differently?
Because the two unit systems measure different things — mass (mg) versus molecule count (mmol) — and the bridge between them is molecular weight. Triglyceride molecules are heavier than cholesterol molecules, so they use a larger factor (88.57 vs 38.67).
Does converting change what my result means?
No — 200 mg/dL and 5.17 mmol/L are the same cholesterol level on two scales. What matters is interpreting the number against a reference range written in the same unit, and (for ratios like TC/HDL) that ratio math is unit-free as long as both inputs match.
What is a normal cholesterol level in mmol/L?
Commonly cited reference points: total cholesterol below ~5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) is desirable, LDL below ~3.0 mmol/L (116 mg/dL) is a common target in general-population guidance, and HDL above ~1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men / ~1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women. Always use the reference range printed on your own report — targets differ by context.
Can I use this for other blood values?
Only for cholesterol (TC/LDL/HDL) and triglycerides — other analytes have their own factors. Glucose, for instance, converts with ÷18 (see our A1c ↔ Average Glucose Converter for glucose-scale conversions).
Sources
- NCBI Bookshelf: Lipid Conversion Factors — conventional (mg/dL) to SI (mmol/L) unit conversions for cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Rifai N, Warnick GR. Lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins — Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry reference conventions.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reference ranges are general population guidelines — always discuss your lab results with a qualified healthcare professional.