What is my cholesterol ratio?
Enter total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol to get the total to HDL cholesterol ratio and see whether it is above the published risk level. For information only. This is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Do not use it to make treatment decisions without a clinician. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page.
- Total to HDL cholesterol ratio
- 4
The total to HDL cholesterol ratio is 4: 5.0 or less, not above the risk level for men.
- Risk level
- 5.0 or less, not above the risk level for men
- Non-HDL cholesterol (mg/dL)
- 150
- Non-HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)
- 3.88
Total to HDL cholesterol ratio: 4. The total to HDL cholesterol ratio is 4: 5.0 or less, not above the risk level for men.
Where does the ratio sit?
This calculator gives general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor or other health care provider. Talk with a professional about your results. Terms of use
How to calculate
Divides total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol (the Castelli index) and compares the ratio with the published risk level for men and for women.
Example with the default inputs (Sex Male, Units mg/dL, Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 200, HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 50): The total to HDL cholesterol ratio is 4: 5.0 or less, not above the risk level for men.
Method: Ratio = total cholesterol ÷ HDL cholesterol (same units), to 1 decimal. Risk level (Millán 2009, Table 1, primary prevention): over 5.0 for men, over 4.5 for women.
- Total and HDL cholesterol come from the same blood sample.
- The ratio is rounded once to 1 decimal, halves away from zero, and the shown value is compared with the risk level.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Sex Male, Units mg/dL, Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 200, HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 50 gives Total to HDL cholesterol ratio 4, Risk level 5.0 or less, not above the risk level for men, Non-HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 150, Non-HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 3.88.Source: Millán et al. 2009, Table 1, men over 5.0
- Sex Male, Units mg/dL, Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 220, HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 40 gives Total to HDL cholesterol ratio 5.5, Risk level Above 5.0, the risk level for men, Non-HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 180.Source: 220 ÷ 40 = 5.5, over 5.0 (Millán et al. 2009, Table 1)
- Sex Female, Units mg/dL, Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 190, HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 42 gives Total to HDL cholesterol ratio 4.5, Risk level 4.5 or less, not above the risk level for women.Source: Women over 4.5 (Millán et al. 2009, Table 1)
- Sex Female, Units mg/dL, Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 220, HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 40 gives Total to HDL cholesterol ratio 5.5, Risk level Above 4.5, the risk level for women.Source: 220 ÷ 40 = 5.5, over 4.5 (Millán et al. 2009, Table 1) ()
- Sex Female, Units mmol/L, Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 5.2, HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 1.3 gives Total to HDL cholesterol ratio 4, Non-HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) 3.9, Non-HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) 151.
Medical disclaimer
This calculator is for information and education only. It is not medical advice, and its result is not a diagnosis. Do not use it to start, stop, or change a treatment without a clinician who knows your health history. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page. This site's editors checked the formulas and worked examples against published sources. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.
When this does not apply. The risk levels are for adults without heart disease (primary prevention). Millán et al. list lower levels for people who already have heart disease. The ratio is one risk marker; it is not a full heart risk score.
How it works
- Ratio = total cholesterol ÷ HDL cholesterol. Both are typed in the same units (mg/dL, or mmol/L), so the units cancel.
- HDL must be below total cholesterol; otherwise there is no answer.
- The ratio is worked from the exact typed decimals and rounded once to 1 decimal, halves away from zero.
- The rounded ratio is compared with the primary-prevention risk level in Millán 2009, Table 1: over 5.0 for men, over 4.5 for women. A ratio equal to the level is not above it.
- Non-HDL cholesterol = total − HDL, to a whole mg/dL and to 2 decimals in mmol/L. Cholesterol in mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586.
Worked examples by hand
Page default. Man, total 200, HDL 50 mg/dL. 200 ÷ 50 = 4.0, 5.0 or less. Non-HDL 150 mg/dL; 150 × 0.02586 = 3.879, 3.88 mmol/L.
Above the level for men. Total 220, HDL 40. 220 ÷ 40 = 5.5, above 5.0. Non-HDL 180 mg/dL.
At the level for women. Total 190, HDL 42. 190 ÷ 42 = 4.524, shown as 4.5, which is not above 4.5.
Above the level for women. Total 220, HDL 40: 5.5, above 4.5.
SI units. Woman, total 5.2, HDL 1.3 mmol/L. 5.2 ÷ 1.3 = 4.0. Non-HDL 5.2 − 1.3 = 3.90 mmol/L; 3.9 ÷ 0.02586 = 150.8, 151 mg/dL.
Other questions people ask
How do I calculate my cholesterol ratio?
Divide total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol. Both must be in the same units. 200 mg/dL ÷ 50 mg/dL gives a ratio of 4.0. The ratio is the same in mg/dL and mmol/L.
What is a good cholesterol ratio?
Millán et al. (2009) list a ratio over 5.0 for men and over 4.5 for women as the risk level for people without heart disease.
Why does the ratio matter?
Kinosian et al. (1994) found that the total to HDL ratio predicted coronary heart disease better than total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol alone in three large US cohorts.
Why are the levels different for men and women?
Millán et al. give separate levels for men and women, based on the studies they review. The level for women is lower.
What is the Castelli index?
Another name for the total to HDL cholesterol ratio, after William Castelli of the Framingham Heart Study.
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
Total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol. The page shows it next to the ratio, in mg/dL and mmol/L.