LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Estimates LDL cholesterol from total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides by both the Friedewald equation and the Martin-Hopkins method, with non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL ratio.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Non-HDL cholesterol = 200 − 50 = 150 mg/dL
- Martin-Hopkins factor for triglycerides 150 and non-HDL 150 = 5.7
- Martin-Hopkins LDL = 150 − 150 ÷ 5.7 = 124 mg/dL
- Friedewald LDL = 150 − 150 ÷ 5 = 120 mg/dL
Its 3 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed
Sources and references
3 sources
What this calculator does
Estimates LDL cholesterol from total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides by both the Friedewald equation and the Martin-Hopkins method, with non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL ratio.
How to use LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Enter Units, Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides. The calculator checks the values, applies the stated method, and updates the result without saving your figures.
What the result means
The result includes LDL cholesterol (Martin-Hopkins), LDL cholesterol (Friedewald), Non-HDL cholesterol, Martin-Hopkins factor used, LDL cholesterol (Martin-Hopkins), LDL cholesterol (Friedewald), Non-HDL cholesterol and Total cholesterol to HDL ratio. Review the visible working and any warnings before using the answer for a decision.
Method and checks
The method cites Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS, Clinical Chemistry 1972;18(6):499-502; Martin SS et al., JAMA 2013;310(19):2061-2068; 2018 AHA/ACC Multisociety Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. Its 3 built-in worked examples are checked on every full test run. The initial answer and working are rendered on the server, so they remain readable without JavaScript.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
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