Estimate your LDL cholesterol using the Friedewald equation from total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides.
LDL cholesterol is the number most people have heard described as the bad cholesterol, because higher levels are linked with a greater risk of heart disease over time. This calculator estimates your LDL from the other values on a standard lipid panel (your total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides) using the long-established Friedewald method, so you can understand a result even if your lab did not report LDL directly.
As with any cholesterol tool, I want to set expectations: this is for education, not diagnosis. LDL is important, but it is one factor among several your doctor weighs. Use this to understand your numbers, then discuss them with a professional who knows your full history.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol through your bloodstream, and when there is too much of it, cholesterol can build up in artery walls over the years, narrowing them. That is why keeping LDL in a healthy range is a cornerstone of heart-disease prevention. It is not that LDL is evil, your body needs cholesterol, it is that persistently high levels raise long-term risk.
The calculator uses the Friedewald equation, which estimates LDL as your total cholesterol minus your HDL minus one-fifth of your triglycerides. It is the same approach many labs have used for decades. One thing to know: the estimate becomes less reliable when triglycerides are very high, in which case a direct LDL measurement is better. For most ordinary results, though, it gives a sound estimate.
As a general guide, an LDL under about 100 mg/dL is considered optimal for many adults, with higher numbers prompting closer attention. But targets are personal: someone with existing heart disease or diabetes is usually advised to aim lower than someone at low overall risk. This is exactly why I keep pointing back to your doctor, the right LDL target for you depends on your whole risk profile, not a single chart.
Diet and lifestyle genuinely move LDL. Eating more soluble fiber (oats, beans, barley, apples), replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts and fish, staying active, not smoking and reaching a healthy weight all help. For some people these changes are enough; for others, particularly those at higher risk, a doctor may add medication. The calculator helps you track where you stand as you work on those habits.
This calculator uses established, peer-reviewed formulas and reference ranges from recognized health and nutrition authorities. Results are estimates for general education, not a medical diagnosis. For decisions about your health, consult a qualified clinician. Reviewed by Jennifer Zoned, PhD, Nutrition Researcher.
This tool uses the Friedewald equation: LDL equals total cholesterol minus HDL minus one-fifth of triglycerides. It is the long-standing method many labs use. The estimate is less reliable when triglycerides are very high, in which case a direct LDL measurement is preferred.
As a general guide, an LDL under about 100 mg/dL is considered optimal for many adults. But the right target is personal: people with existing heart disease or diabetes are usually advised to aim lower. Your doctor sets the appropriate target based on your overall risk.
Because when LDL is too high, cholesterol can build up in artery walls over time and narrow them, raising the risk of heart disease. Your body does need some cholesterol, so LDL is not inherently harmful; it is persistently high levels that increase long-term risk.
Eating more soluble fiber from oats, beans and fruit, swapping saturated and trans fats for unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts and fish, staying active, not smoking and reaching a healthy weight all help. For some people lifestyle is enough; others at higher risk may need medication a doctor prescribes.
