Non-HDL Cholesterol
Looking only at LDL misses the lipids carried by triglyceride-rich particles. Non-HDL captures all atherogenic particles and is judged a better predictor than LDL.
Your numbers
Non-HDL
165mg/dL
Total : HDL
4.67
What it means
Non-HDL of 165 is high — the general target is under 130.
Formula
Non-HDL = Total cholesterol − HDL
Unlike calculated LDL, it works on non-fasting blood — that is its practical advantage.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL)All the cholesterol in the blood, added up. | 210 | 50 ~ 500 |
| HDL (mg/dL)The kind that carries cholesterol back to the liver — higher is better. | 45 | 10 ~ 150 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Total cholesterol (mg/dL) changes and everything else stays put.
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | Non-HDL (mg/dL) | Total : HDL |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | 60 | 2.33 |
| 158 | 113 | 3.51 |
| 210 | 165 | 4.67 |
| 315 | 270 | 7 |
| 420 | 375 | 9.33 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Non-HDL (mg/dL)Everything except HDL. | 165 |
| Total : HDLTotal cholesterol over HDL — lower is better. | 4.67 |
Common mistakes
Unlike calculated LDL, it works on non-fasting blood — that is its practical advantage.
Glossary
- Total cholesterol
- All the cholesterol in the blood, added up.
- HDL
- The kind that carries cholesterol back to the liver — higher is better.
- Non-HDL
- Everything except HDL.
- Total : HDL
- Total cholesterol over HDL — lower is better.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Non-HDL Cholesterol calculated?
Non-HDL = Total cholesterol − HDL — Looking only at LDL misses the lipids carried by triglyceride-rich particles. Non-HDL captures all atherogenic particles and is judged a better predictor than LDL.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Total cholesterol 210mg/dL, HDL 45mg/dL, the answer is Non-HDL 165mg/dL.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Total cholesterol, HDL. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Total cholesterol (mg/dL) moves the answer to Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 105 → Non-HDL (mg/dL) 60 and Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 420 → Non-HDL (mg/dL) 375. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Unlike calculated LDL, it works on non-fasting blood — that is its practical advantage.
Related calculators
These calculators help you understand health figures; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription. See a clinician if you have symptoms.