LDL Cholesterol Unit Converter (mg/dL ↔ mmol/L)

The LDL conversion factor and where it comes from

LDL ("low-density lipoprotein") cholesterol is one of the lipid fractions reported on a standard lipid panel. LDL cholesterol is reported in mg/dL on U.S. lab reports and in mmol/L on UK, Canadian, Australian, and most European reports.

The standard conversion factor for LDL cholesterol is 0.02586, applied as mg/dL × 0.02586 = mmol/L (and mmol/L ÷ 0.02586 = mg/dL in reverse). The 0.02586 factor is shared by LDL, HDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol because all four are reported as the mass of the same cholesterol molecule (molecular weight 386.65 g/mol). Source: AMA Manual of Style / UK Kidney Association SI conversion table.

Published reference intervals

The intervals below are reproduced from U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus: LDL cholesterol. They are listed here for unit reference only. Whether any value is in range for you depends on your laboratory's own reference range and your clinical context, so read them alongside your report and your healthcare provider, not in place of either.

Pre-computed LDL conversions

Dedicated answer pages for the LDL values people search for most. Each shows the answer, the math, and a table of nearby values.

mg/dL to mmol/L

• 40 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 50 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 55 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 60 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 70 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 80 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 90 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 100 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 110 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 120 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 130 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 140 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 150 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 160 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 168 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 170 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 180 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 187 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 190 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 200 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 220 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 250 mg/dL to mmol/L
• 300 mg/dL to mmol/L

mmol/L to mg/dL

• 1 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 1.4 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 1.6 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 1.8 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 2 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 2.1 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 2.2 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 2.6 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 3 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 3.4 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 3.7 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 3.8 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 4 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 4.1 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 4.6 mmol/L to mg/dL
• 5 mmol/L to mg/dL

Common questions

How do I convert LDL cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?

Multiply by 0.02586: mg/dL × 0.02586 = mmol/L. To go the other way, divide by 0.02586 (or multiply by 38.67).

What is the LDL cholesterol conversion factor?

0.02586. The 0.02586 factor is shared by LDL, HDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol because all four are reported as the mass of the same cholesterol molecule (molecular weight 386.65 g/mol).

Where is mg/dL used and where is mmol/L used?

LDL cholesterol is reported in mg/dL on U.S. lab reports and in mmol/L on UK, Canadian, Australian, and most European reports.

Related converters and reference

• Full blood test unit converter: 60+ biomarkers, any value, either direction.
• nmol/L to mg/dL by substance: the molar-to-mass conversion depends on which substance you measured.
• HbA1c to average glucose (eAG) converter.