What this calculator does
LDL cholesterol (Friedewald equation) works out estimated LDL cholesterol from a standard lipid panel. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaLDL = Total cholesterol − HDL − Triglycerides / 5 (mg/dL)
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | A number, measured in mg/dL. Starts at 200. |
| HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) | A number, measured in mg/dL. Starts at 50. |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | A number, measured in mg/dL. Starts at 150. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with total cholesterol
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while total cholesterol varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.
How the answer changes with total cholesterol
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | LDL cholesterol | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 20 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |
| 150 | 70 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |
| 200 | 120 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |
| 300 | 220 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |
| 400 | 320 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |
| 600 | 520 mg/dL | Valid for triglycerides under about 400 mg/dL. |