In typical fasting samples, VLDL cholesterol ≈ TG / 5 (mg/dL). Breaks down at high TG when chylomicrons / IDL contribute.

Friedewald vs. Martin-Hopkins?

Martin-Hopkins (2013) uses adjustable TG-to-VLDL ratio (varies 3.1-11.9 by TG and non-HDL); more accurate at low LDL or high TG. Many US labs default to Martin-Hopkins now.

TG > 400 mg/dL; type III dysbetalipoproteinemia; non-fasting samples; chylomicronemia syndromes. Use direct LDL.

Treatment thresholds?

Per ACC/AHA 2018 (Grundy et al., Circulation): high-intensity statin if ASCVD or LDL ≥190; moderate-intensity in adults 40-75 with diabetes or 10-yr ASCVD risk ≥7.5%.

Is this medical advice?

No. Educational. Lipid management requires full risk profile + clinician.

LDL Cholesterol (Friedewald) Calculator

LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5 (mg/dL). Friedewald 1972 Clin Chem. Not valid if triglycerides > 400 mg/dL.

Result

LDL (Friedewald)

120 mg/dL

Non-HDL = 150. Near optimal (100-129).

Total cholesterol200 mg/dL
HDL50 mg/dL
Triglycerides150 mg/dL
TG / 5 (VLDL est.)30.0 mg/dL
LDL (Friedewald)120 mg/dL
Non-HDL cholesterol150 mg/dL
NCEP ATP III LDL categoryNear optimal (100-129)

Near optimal (100-129)

0 mg/dL LDL120 mg/dL LDL220 mg/dL LDL

NCEP ATP III LDL categories. ASCVD risk and statin decisions also use non-HDL and 10-y risk.

Source: Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS. "Estimation of LDL cholesterol in plasma." Clin Chem 1972;18(6):499–502.

Not medical advice — Friedewald is invalid when triglycerides exceed 400 mg/dL or in type III hyperlipidemia — order a direct LDL or use Martin-Hopkins / Sampson 2020. Cardiovascular decisions need a full risk assessment, not a single LDL.

Step-by-step

Friedewald: LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5 (assumes VLDL ≈ TG/5).
LDL = 200 − 50 − 150/5 = 200 − 50 − 30.0 = 120.0 mg/dL.
Valid (TG ≤ 400).

How to use this calculator

Enter fasting lipid panel values in mg/dL.
Read LDL + non-HDL + ATP III risk category.
If TG > 400, the formula is invalid — order a direct LDL.

About this calculator

Friedewald formula: LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5 (mg/dL only; TG/2.2 if mmol/L). Source: Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS. "Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge." Clin Chem 1972;18(6):499-502. Assumes VLDL = TG/5. **Invalid when TG > 400 mg/dL** (VLDL/TG ratio diverges) or in type III hyperlipidemia. Modern alternatives: Martin-Hopkins (Martin SS et al., JAMA 2013;310:2061), NIH equation (Sampson 2020), or direct LDL measurement. NCEP ATP III categories (LDL mg/dL): <100 optimal, 100-129 near optimal, 130-159 borderline, 160-189 high, ≥190 very high. **Not medical advice.**