🫀 Cholesterol Converter (mg/dL ↔ mmol/L)
Cholesterol in mg/dL ÷ 38.67 gives mmol/L; triglycerides use ÷ 88.57. This converts either lipid, either direction, exactly. Enter your values below, results update instantly, entirely on your device.
200 mg/dL ÷ 38.67
How the cholesterol converter (mg/dl ↔ mmol/l) works
For total cholesterol, LDL and HDL: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.67 (and mg/dL = mmol/L × 38.67), where 38.67 is the molar mass of cholesterol (386.65 g/mol) ÷ 10. Triglycerides have a different molar mass, so they use 88.57 (average triglyceride molar mass ≈ 885.4 g/mol ÷ 10) instead.
Example: Total cholesterol 200 mg/dL ÷ 38.67 = 5.17 mmol/L. Triglycerides 150 mg/dL ÷ 88.57 = 1.69 mmol/L.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are reported in mg/dL in the US and mmol/L in the UK, Canada, Australia and most of Europe. The key subtlety is that triglycerides use a different conversion factor (88.57) from cholesterol (38.67), because they are much larger molecules, using the cholesterol factor on triglycerides is a common mistake this tool avoids by asking which lipid you mean. Both factors come from the molecules’ molar masses, so the conversion is exact. This tool converts units only. It is not medical advice and does not interpret whether a value is healthy; discuss your lipid panel with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Divide by 38.67. For example, a total cholesterol of 193 mg/dL ÷ 38.67 = 5.0 mmol/L. To go back, multiply mmol/L by 38.67. This factor applies to total cholesterol, LDL and HDL.
Why do triglycerides use a different factor?
Because triglycerides are much larger molecules than cholesterol, with a different molar mass (~885 g/mol vs 387). Their conversion factor is therefore 88.57, not 38.67. Applying the cholesterol factor to triglycerides gives a wrong answer, so this tool asks which lipid you are converting.
Which conversion factor is correct, 38.67 or 38.6?
Both are rounding of the same value, the molar mass of cholesterol is 386.65 g/mol, so dividing by 10 gives 38.665, usually quoted as 38.67. This tool uses 38.67 for a precise result.
Does a converted number tell me if my cholesterol is high?
No. This tool only changes units. Whether a value is in a healthy range depends on your overall risk profile and targets, which is a discussion for a healthcare professional, not a unit conversion.
Is my lipid data private?
Yes, the conversion runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or stored.
Is this cholesterol converter (mg/dl ↔ mmol/l) accurate and private?
Yes. It uses the standard published formula, shows its working under every result, and computes locally in your browser, your inputs are never sent to a server, and the page works offline.