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

Total cholesterol(mg/dL)HDL(mg/dL)

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

FormulaNon-HDL = Total cholesterol − HDL

With the default numbersNon-HDL = 210 − 45

AnswerNon-HDL = 165 mg/dL

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

QHow 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.

QCan you walk through an example?

With Total cholesterol 210mg/dL, HDL 45mg/dL, the answer is Non-HDL 165mg/dL.

QWhat do I need to enter?

Enter Total cholesterol, HDL. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.

QHow 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.

QHow 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.

QAnything to watch out for?

Unlike calculated LDL, it works on non-fasting blood — that is its practical advantage.

Related calculators

Mean Arterial PressureGet MAP and pulse pressure from systolic and diastolic readings.Pulse PressureThe gap between your systolic and diastolic readings.Cholesterol RatioTotal cholesterol divided by HDL — a cardiovascular risk marker.LDL Cholesterol (Friedewald)Calculate LDL from the three numbers on your lipid panel.

These calculators help you understand health figures; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription. See a clinician if you have symptoms.