Non-HDL Cholesterol Calculator

Calculate your non-HDL cholesterol, the sum of all the cholesterol carried by atherogenic particles, by subtracting HDL from total cholesterol. Non-HDL-C is a single number that captures more of your cardiovascular-relevant cholesterol than LDL alone, especially when triglycerides are high. Supports mg/dL and mmol/L. Informational reference, not a diagnostic test.

Units

Total cholesterol

mg/dL

HDL cholesterol

mg/dL

Non-HDL Cholesterol

Non-HDL-C is a simple subtraction from your measured values. The reference bands below are published guideline goals, not personal targets. Discuss your lipid results with a healthcare provider.

Tracking your cholesterol? See your non-HDL and full lipid trends over time in the Health3 app.

What Non-HDL Cholesterol Tells You

Non-HDL cholesterol is exactly what its name says: all of your cholesterol except the HDL fraction. You get it by subtracting HDL from total cholesterol. Because it captures the cholesterol carried by every atherogenic (artery-clogging) particle, including LDL, VLDL, IDL, remnants, and lipoprotein(a), it is often a better single summary of cardiovascular-relevant cholesterol than LDL alone, particularly when triglycerides are elevated and a calculated LDL becomes unreliable.

Non-HDL-C does not require fasting and uses only two numbers on every lipid panel, which is part of why guideline bodies including the US NCEP and the European Society of Cardiology recommend it as a secondary or co-primary target alongside LDL.

Formula: Non-HDL-C = Total cholesterol − HDL cholesterol
No fasting required. Works directly in mg/dL or mmol/L.

Published Reference Goals

NCEP ATP III set non-HDL goals 30 mg/dL above the corresponding LDL goal (because a normal VLDL contributes about 30 mg/dL of cholesterol). The bands below are published guideline reference values, not personal targets; your goal depends on your overall cardiovascular risk.

Non-HDL-C (mg/dL)	Non-HDL-C (mmol/L)	Published reference
Below 130	Below 3.4	Desirable (general population)
130 – 159	3.4 – 4.1	Above desirable
160 – 189	4.1 – 4.9	High
190 and above	4.9 and above	Very high

Higher-risk individuals often have lower goals (for example, below 100 mg/dL / 2.6 mmol/L), set individually by a clinician.

Explore Related Tools and Topics

LDL Cholesterol Calculator Remnant Cholesterol Calculator Cholesterol Ratio Calculator Cardiovascular Health Lab Test Abbreviations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is non-HDL cholesterol?

Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. It represents the cholesterol carried by all the atherogenic (artery-clogging) particles together, including LDL, VLDL, remnants, and lipoprotein(a). Because it captures more than LDL alone, guideline bodies use it as a target for cardiovascular risk, especially when triglycerides are high.

What is a good non-HDL cholesterol level?

For the general population, a non-HDL-C below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) is commonly cited as desirable, following NCEP ATP III, which set non-HDL goals 30 mg/dL above the LDL goal. Higher-risk people often have lower individualised goals. These are published reference values, not personal targets; your clinician sets the right goal for your risk.

Why use non-HDL instead of LDL?

LDL on a lab report is usually calculated and becomes unreliable when triglycerides are high or the sample is non-fasting. Non-HDL-C is a direct subtraction of two measured values, needs no fasting, and reflects all atherogenic cholesterol, so it is often a more robust single number, particularly in people with high triglycerides, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

Do I need to fast for non-HDL cholesterol?

No. Total cholesterol and HDL are stable whether or not you have eaten, so non-HDL-C can be calculated from a non-fasting sample. This is one of its practical advantages over a calculated LDL, which depends on triglycerides that rise after meals.

Can I enter mmol/L values?

Yes. Switch the unit toggle to mmol/L. Non-HDL-C is a simple subtraction, so the calculator works directly in whichever unit you choose and shows the result in the same unit, with the matching published reference band.

Medical Disclaimer: Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL. The reference goals shown follow published guidelines (NCEP ATP III; ESC/EAS) and are general population values, not personal treatment targets, which depend on your individual cardiovascular risk. This tool is for informational and educational use only and does not diagnose any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider to interpret your lipid results.

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