Cholesterol Ratio Calculator
Your cholesterol ratio is a better predictor of heart disease risk than total cholesterol alone. This calculator takes your lipid panel results and computes both Total:HDL and LDL:HDL ratios, then categorises your cardiovascular risk.
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Enter your details
Your Cholesterol Profile
ExampleExample figures, not your own. Worked for total cholesterol 5.2, HDL 1.4 and LDL 3.0 mmol/L. Enter your own details and press Calculate.
Total:HDL Ratio
3.7
GoodLDL:HDL Ratio
2.1
Ideal| Measure | Your Value | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | 5.2 mmol/L | < 5.5 |
| HDL (good) | 1.4 mmol/L | > 1.0 |
| LDL (bad) | 3.0 mmol/L | < 2.0 |
How It Works
The Total:HDL ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. A ratio below 3.5 is considered ideal, 3.5-5.0 is good, 5.0-6.0 is borderline, and above 6.0 is high risk. The LDL:HDL ratio divides LDL by HDL, ideal is below 2.5, good is 2.5-3.5, and above 3.5 indicates elevated risk. These ratios are used alongside absolute cholesterol numbers by Australian cardiologists to assess cardiovascular risk.
How to use it
- 1Enter your total cholesterol in mmol/L (from your blood test results)
- 2Enter your HDL cholesterol in mmol/L
- 3Enter your LDL cholesterol in mmol/L
- 4Click "Calculate" to see your cholesterol ratios and risk categories
Quick Reference
| Measure | Ideal | Borderline | High Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | < 5.5 mmol/L | 5.5-6.5 mmol/L | > 6.5 mmol/L |
| HDL Cholesterol | > 1.5 mmol/L | 1.0-1.5 mmol/L | < 1.0 mmol/L |
| LDL Cholesterol | < 2.0 mmol/L | 2.0-3.5 mmol/L | > 3.5 mmol/L |
| Total:HDL Ratio | < 3.5 | 3.5-5.0 | > 5.0 |
| LDL:HDL Ratio | < 2.5 | 2.5-3.5 | > 3.5 |
| Triglycerides | < 1.5 mmol/L | 1.5-2.0 mmol/L | > 2.0 mmol/L |
| Non-HDL Cholesterol | < 3.8 mmol/L | 3.8-4.8 mmol/L | > 4.8 mmol/L |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ApoB (advanced) | < 0.8 g/L | 0.8-1.0 g/L | > 1.0 g/L |
Australian Heart Foundation targets for adults at low-moderate cardiovascular risk. Targets may be lower for high-risk individuals.
How This Is Calculated
- Total Cholesterol
- = sum of all cholesterol in blood (mmol/L)
- HDL
- = high-density lipoprotein - "good" cholesterol (mmol/L)
- LDL
- = low-density lipoprotein - "bad" cholesterol (mmol/L)
The ratio matters more than total cholesterol alone because HDL is protective. A person with total cholesterol of 6.0 and HDL of 2.0 (ratio 3.0) has lower risk than someone with 5.0 total and HDL of 0.8 (ratio 6.25).