A cholesterol test usually comes back as four or five numbers with little explanation. Enter yours above, in mg/dL (US) or mmol/L (UK, Canada, Australia, Europe), and the explainer tells you which general range each one falls in, what that range means, and what to ask your doctor next.
General information, not medical advice
This tool is for education and doesn't diagnose or treat anything. "In range" isn't the same as "on target": your own goals depend on your overall heart risk, which only your doctor can assess. Go through your results with your doctor or another qualified health professional.
The ranges the explainer uses
These are the general categories used in the US by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and MedlinePlus, the same chart as our guide to how to read your cholesterol test results. If you enter mmol/L, your numbers are compared with the mmol/L column as printed, so the reading always matches the chart.
| Test | mg/dL | mmol/L | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Under 200 | Under 5.2 | Desirable |
| 200–239 | 5.2–6.2 | Borderline high | |
| 240 and above | 6.2 and above | High | |
| LDL cholesterol | Under 100 | Under 2.6 | Optimal for most people |
| 100–129 | 2.6–3.3 | Near optimal | |
| 130–159 | 3.4–4.1 | Borderline high | |
| 160–189 | 4.1–4.9 | High | |
| 190 and above | 4.9 and above | Very high (ask about inherited high cholesterol) | |
| HDL cholesterol | Under 40 (men), under 50 (women) | Under 1.0 (men), under 1.3 (women) | Low, linked to higher heart risk |
| 60 and above | 1.5 and above | Generally considered protective | |
| Triglycerides | Under 150 | Under 1.7 | Normal |
| 150–199 | 1.7–2.2 | Borderline high | |
| 200–499 | 2.3–5.6 | High | |
| 500 and above | 5.6 and above | Very high | |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Under 130 | Under 3.4 | Desirable for most adults |
NHS guide for mmol/L results
If you enter mmol/L, the explainer also compares your numbers with the NHS's simpler guide for healthy adults: total cholesterol below 5 mmol/L, non-HDL below 4 mmol/L, and HDL above 1.0 mmol/L for men or above 1.2 mmol/L for women.
Ages 19 and under
Young people have lower healthy levels. If you enter an age of 19 or under, the explainer uses the MedlinePlus levels for that age: total cholesterol under 170 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L), LDL under 110 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L), non-HDL under 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) and HDL over 45 mg/dL (1.2 mmol/L).
In range isn't the same as on target
The chart shows where you stand compared with the general adult population. Your doctor sets where you're heading. The 2026 ACC/AHA guideline brings back LDL and non-HDL goals for people on treatment, and the higher your risk, the lower the goal. This explainer doesn't place you in a row: that depends on your history and a risk score your doctor works out.
| Who it applies to | LDL goal | Non-HDL goal |
|---|---|---|
| Heart or artery disease at very high risk (for example, more than one heart attack or stroke, or one plus several high-risk features) | Under 55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) | Under 85 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) |
| Heart or artery disease, not very high risk | Under 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) | Under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) |
| No heart disease, but a high 10-year risk (PREVENT score of 10% or more), or diabetes with several other risk factors | Under 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) | Under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) |
| No heart disease, borderline or intermediate risk (PREVENT 3% to under 10%) and taking a statin, or diabetes aged 40 to 75 | Under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) | Under 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) |
A few things to know about this table:
- These are treatment goals, not diagnoses. They're for deciding how far to lower LDL once you and your doctor have agreed on treatment. Which row you're in depends on your history and your risk score, and only your doctor can place you.
- Most people with heart disease fall in the top row. The guideline says the majority of people who've had a heart attack or stroke will likely qualify for the under 55 mg/dL goal.
- The percentage drop still matters. The guideline also expects LDL to fall by 30–49% at borderline or intermediate risk, and by 50% or more at high risk or with heart disease.
- PREVENT is the new risk score. It replaces the older Pooled Cohort Equations for adults aged 30 to 79 and estimates your chance of a heart attack or stroke over 10 years (and over 30 years if you're 30 to 59). If you haven't been told your score, ask.
If you're in the UK
NHS doctors follow NICE guidance rather than the US guideline. NICE uses the QRISK3 calculator, aims for a fall of more than 40% in non-HDL cholesterol for people taking a statin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, and aims for LDL of 2.0 mmol/L or less (or non-HDL of 2.6 mmol/L or less) for people who already have heart or artery disease. The NHS healthy ranges above still apply.
What the explainer doesn't do
- It doesn't give a risk score. PREVENT (US) and QRISK3 (UK) need your blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, kidney function and more. Ask your doctor for yours.
- It doesn't diagnose. A single result can be off for many reasons, from a recent illness to normal test-to-test variation. A borderline number is usually re-checked rather than acted on alone.
- It doesn't set your target. See the goals table above, and ask your doctor which row applies to you.
- It doesn't keep your numbers. Close the page and they're gone. To keep a record, use our printable test results log or track them in Heart Tracker.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Cholesterol levels, what you need to know
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Blood cholesterol
- NHS: Cholesterol levels
- Blumenthal RS, et al. 2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia. JACC. 2026
- NICE NG238: Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification
Frequently asked questions
Is a cholesterol level of 6.3 high?
A total cholesterol of 6.3 mmol/L (about 244 mg/dL) is in the high range by US categories (6.2 mmol/L, 240 mg/dL, and above) and above the NHS guide of 5 mmol/L. What matters more is how it splits: check your non-HDL (ideally below 4 mmol/L) and HDL, and talk to your doctor about your overall heart risk.
Is a total cholesterol of 240 high?
Yes. By the general US categories, total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) and above is high, 200–239 mg/dL is borderline high and under 200 mg/dL is desirable. Total cholesterol includes HDL, so look at your LDL and non-HDL too.
Is an LDL of 130 high?
An LDL of 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) is in the borderline high range (130–159 mg/dL, 3.4–4.1 mmol/L). If your overall risk is low, that may simply mean lifestyle changes and a re-test. If you have heart disease, diabetes or a high risk score, your doctor will usually aim lower.
What is a normal cholesterol level?
For most adults, desirable levels are total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L), LDL under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L), HDL of 60 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L) or higher, and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L). Your personal goal may be lower: under the 2026 ACC/AHA guideline, people with heart disease or a high 10-year risk have LDL goals of under 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) or under 55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L).
Does this tool send or store my numbers?
No. The reading is worked out by code running in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Heart Tracker or anyone else, saved, or added to the page address.
Why doesn't the explainer give me a risk score?
Heart risk scores such as PREVENT (US) and QRISK3 (UK) need much more than cholesterol, including blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and kidney function, and your doctor uses them to decide on treatment. This tool only shows where each number sits on the general ranges.
Track your results over time in Heart Tracker
One test is a snapshot. Heart Tracker logs every lipid panel in mg/dL or mmol/L, charts your LDL, HDL, non-HDL and triglycerides against these ranges, and shows what you were eating between tests.
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