Updated · Methodology: named formula library
LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Friedewald LDL from lipid panel.
Friedewald: 200 − 50 − (150/5) = 120 mg/dL. Valid when triglycerides < 400.
Why This Calculation Matters
The LDL Cholesterol Calculator turns a well-known health formula into an instant lookup. It's most useful when you're tracking a number over time or comparing yourself against published reference ranges from bodies like the CDC, NIH, or WHO. Use it as one data point among many, not a diagnosis.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your values in the input fields, each one has a label and help text explaining what to type.
- Results appear instantly as you type; there's no "calculate" button to press.
- Change any input to compare scenarios side by side.
All math happens in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, saved, or shared.
Reading Your Result
A single number tells you less than a trend. Track this value over weeks or months rather than obsessing over day-to-day variation. Hydration, sleep, and timing can all shift short-term readings without reflecting any real change.
How to Use
Enter values in the fields on the left. Results update as you type, no submit button needed.
Understanding Results
Each output shows the calculated figure plus a breakdown of contributing inputs. Compare scenarios by editing any value.
Accuracy Notes
Every LDL Cholesterol Calculator on CalcIntel uses a documented formula. Results are estimates, real outcomes depend on assumptions and market conditions not captured in a simplified calculation.
Formula
Metric: BMI = kg / m². Imperial: BMI = (lb / in²) × 703. WHO categories: underweight <18.5, normal 18.5-24.9, overweight 25-29.9, obese ≥30.
Worked Example
TC 200, HDL 50, TG 150 mg/dL
- totalCholesterol
- 200
- hdl
- 50
- triglycerides
- 150
- Result
- LDL 120 mg/dL
200 − 50 − (150/5) = 120 mg/dL.
When to Use This Calculator
- Track personal health metrics over time alongside guidance from your clinician.
- Understand how lifestyle changes may influence a given health number.
- Compare values against recognized reference ranges from CDC, NIH, or WHO.
Limitations & Common Mistakes
- Not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for anything that affects your care.
- Population-level formulas don't account for individual medical history, medications, or body composition nuances.
- Reference ranges evolve, use current CDC/NIH/WHO values when accuracy matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Friedewald formula?
LDL = Total Cholesterol − HDL − (Triglycerides / 5), all in mg/dL. Published in 1972 by Friedewald, Levy, and Fredrickson. The TG/5 term estimates VLDL cholesterol assuming a typical TG-to-VLDL ratio.
When does Friedewald fail?
When triglycerides exceed 400 mg/dL — the TG/5 estimate breaks down. In that case, request a direct LDL measurement or use the Martin-Hopkins formula, which has been validated up to 800 mg/dL.
What's a healthy LDL level?
Optimal: < 100 mg/dL. Near-optimal: 100–129. Borderline-high: 130–159. High: 160–189. Very high: ≥ 190. Patients with cardiovascular risk factors are often targeted for LDL < 70.
Does this require fasting?
Triglycerides are most accurate after a 9–12 hour fast. Non-fasting samples are increasingly accepted (the European Atherosclerosis Society endorses non-fasting), but Friedewald is most reliable on fasting blood.
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Source: BLS Consumer Price Index, 2026.