Compare HDL and LDL using clean ratios today. Convert units quickly for consistent lab reporting. Export CSV and PDF, then review cardiovascular chemistry context.
This calculator standardizes values (when needed) and applies:
Visualizes standardized HDL, LDL, and the HDL/LDL ratio banding for quick chemistry-focused comparison.
| Sample | HDL (mg/dL) | LDL (mg/dL) | HDL/LDL | LDL/HDL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX-001 | 60 | 120 | 0.50 | 2.00 |
| EX-002 | 45 | 150 | 0.30 | 3.33 |
| EX-003 | 70 | 95 | 0.74 | 1.36 |
| EX-004 | 35 | 160 | 0.22 | 4.57 |
Numbers are illustrative for classroom practice, not medical advice.
HDL particles are protein‑rich and carry cholesterol away from tissues toward hepatic clearance, while LDL particles are cholesterol‑rich carriers that deliver cholesterol to peripheral cells. In routine lipid panels, these concentrations are treated as analyte proxies for lipoprotein populations, so ratio math summarizes a balance between two transport directions. Chemically, both are complexes of lipids, cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, and apolipoproteins in dynamic equilibrium within plasma matrix.
Laboratories commonly report cholesterol in mg/dL or mmol/L. This calculator standardizes values to mg/dL when mmol/L is selected using 1 mmol/L × 38.67 = mg/dL. Standardization prevents mixed‑unit ratios, supports consistent CSV/PDF outputs, and helps compare samples collected in different reporting systems. If both values share the same unit, the ratio itself is unchanged; conversion improves reporting consistency.
The HDL/LDL ratio is dimensionless. Higher values typically indicate a more favorable distribution of cholesterol among lipoproteins. For learning purposes, bands are set at ≥0.50 (favorable), 0.30–0.49 (intermediate), and <0.30 (unfavorable). These cutoffs are educational and should not replace clinical targets.
Because it is a quotient, the ratio responds strongly to LDL changes when HDL is stable. For example, HDL 60 and LDL 120 yields 0.50, but LDL rising to 160 drops the ratio to 0.38. Conversely, raising HDL from 45 to 70 with LDL fixed at 150 improves the ratio from 0.30 to 0.47. The Plotly chart helps visualize how small input shifts change the balance.
Precision selection controls displayed rounding (0–4 decimals) without altering the underlying calculation. Use a consistent precision when comparing cohorts or timepoints. The CSV export provides field‑value pairs suitable for lab notebooks, while the PDF export produces a concise report that includes inputs, converted values, ratios, and the interpretation band. Add a sample label and date to support repeat measurements.
Lipoprotein chemistry is influenced by triglycerides, particle size, and metabolic state. A single ratio cannot capture these factors, so learners often review total cholesterol, non‑HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and calculated indices such as TC/HDL alongside the HDL/LDL ratio. Always interpret results within the broader analytical and biological context.
It measures the proportion of high‑density to low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol, summarizing the balance between reverse transport and delivery pathways in a single, unitless number.
No. Select the unit your lab used. The calculator converts mmol/L to mg/dL for standardized reporting, but the ratio remains dimensionless as long as both inputs use the same unit.
LDL/HDL is the inverse ratio. Some reports and studies prefer the inverse form because it increases as LDL dominates. Seeing both helps you compare conventions without re‑calculating.
Use 2 decimals for most summaries. Use 3–4 decimals for classroom datasets or when changes are small between samples. Rounding affects only display and exports, not the internal math.
This page is educational. Lipid interpretation depends on clinical history, fasting state, medications, and additional markers. Use the calculation as a learning aid and consult qualified professionals for decisions.
It visualizes HDL, LDL (standardized), and the HDL/LDL ratio against simple band thresholds. The chart helps explain how changes in either input shift the ratio and the qualitative band.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.