🫀 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.