LDL: normal range and what it means
Short answer: The healthy LDL range HealthOS uses is < 100 mg/dL for adults. In SI units that is about < 2.6 mmol/L. Many labs print a wider reference range, so read your value against the one on your report too.
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Where does your LDL sit?
Your result
Type the number from your lab report to see where it sits.
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Information, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor about your result, and sooner if you feel unwell.
"Bad" cholesterol — a primary driver of plaque build-up.
Normal range
Adult reference range.
- Optimal< 100 mg/dL
- Borderline100 – 130 mg/dL
- High≥ 130 mg/dL
Free calculator
LDL cholesterol calculator (Sampson, Martin-Hopkins, Friedewald)
LDL = total − HDL − a share of triglycerides (three formulas)
Sources: Sampson M, Ling C, Sun Q, et al. A new equation for calculation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with normolipidemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia. JAMA Cardiol 2020;5(5):540-548.
The "good" cholesterol
Up to 800 mg/dL (9.0 mmol/L)
Your result
Enter the numbers from your lab report to see your result.
Most labs calculate LDL rather than measure it. If your report says "calculated" or "Friedewald", this is the same idea with newer formulas. A fasting sample is best when triglycerides are high.
Worked out in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved.
A pointer, not a diagnosis. Talk to a doctor about your result, and sooner if you feel unwell.
What it measures
Low-density lipoprotein carries cholesterol into artery walls. Lower is better for long-term heart health.
What moves it
Saturated fat, genetics, insulin resistance, thyroid.
How to bring it into range
Soluble fibre, less saturated fat, exercise, and medication when needed.
How fast it responds
Weeks.
Also reported as: ldl cholesterol · low density lipoprotein
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Common questions
- What is the normal LDL range?
- The healthy LDL range HealthOS uses is < 100 mg/dL for adults. In SI units that is about < 2.6 mmol/L. Many labs print a wider reference range, so read your value against the one on your report too.
- What does a high LDL mean?
- A value above the reference band means LDL is outside the range typical for a healthy adult. A single reading is rarely conclusive on its own — what matters is the trend across draws and the other markers around it, which is why HealthOS reads the whole panel together rather than one number at a time.
- How do I improve my LDL?
- Soluble fibre, less saturated fat, exercise, and medication when needed.
Related markers
More in Lipids
Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.