Triglyceride Calculator — TG Ranges & Conversion

Review results in the Triglyceride Calculator

How to Use Triglyceride Calculator — TG Ranges & Conversion

1. Step 1: Enter triglycerides

   Type your TG value and pick units (mg/dL or mmol/L).

2. Step 2: Add optional values

   If available, add total cholesterol and HDL to see non‑HDL and LDL (Friedewald).

3. Step 3: Choose fasting

   Toggle fasting if your sample was taken after an 8–12 hour fast.

4. Step 4: Calculate

   Tap Calculate (or change a value) to update results instantly.

5. Step 5: Review category

   Check your TG category and goals and save a screenshot if needed.

Key Features

• mg/dL ↔ mmol/L conversion
• TG categories (normal to very high)
• VLDL estimate (TG/5, fasting)
• LDL (Friedewald) when valid
• Non‑HDL calculation and goals
• Mobile‑first, privacy‑friendly

Understanding Results

Triglyceride Calculator: Formulas & Conversions

This tool converts triglycerides between mg/dL and mmol/L and, when you add total cholesterol (TC) and HDL, shows two common estimates: VLDL‑C ≈ TG/5 (mg/dL) in fasting samples, and Friedewald LDL‑C = TC − HDL − TG/5. These rules of thumb are widely used but have limits when TG are very high or the sample is non‑fasting. Think of it as a TG calculator and a triglycerides converter in one view.

Reference Ranges & Interpretation

Typical adult TG categories are Normal (< 150 mg/dL), Borderline high (150–199), High (200–499), and Very high (≥ 500). Trends over time and your overall lipid pattern matter more than one result. We also display non‑HDL‑C (TC − HDL) when available; a common goal is < 130 mg/dL for many adults, with more stringent targets in higher‑risk groups.

Assumptions & Limitations

Friedewald LDL estimates assume a fasting sample and TG ≤ 400 mg/dL. Non‑fasting meals and alcohol can elevate TG and distort calculated LDL. Certain conditions and medicines can also raise TG. Use this calculator for education and discussion—your clinician’s guidance and lab‑reported values come first, especially for very high results that may warrant urgent attention.

Complete Guide: Triglyceride Calculator — TG Ranges & Conversion

Use our triglyceride calculator to convert mg/dL and mmol/L, check TG categories, and estimate VLDL, LDL (Friedewald), and non‑HDL cholesterol thresholds.

This triglyceride calculator converts units, classifies your result, and—if you optionally add total cholesterol and HDL—estimates non‑HDL, VLDL, and LDL using the common Friedewald approach. It is designed for clarity on phones: short labels, large touch targets, and results you can screenshot. It is educational only and does not provide medical advice.

What triglycerides are

Triglycerides (TG) are a form of fat your body uses to store energy. After meals, excess calories are packaged into triglycerides and carried in the bloodstream. Between meals, hormones release triglycerides to fuel cells. A routine lipid panel reports triglycerides along with total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. While most people think of LDL and HDL first, triglycerides add important context about metabolic health and overall cardiovascular risk.

Many everyday factors influence TG: recent meals, alcohol, weight changes, activity patterns, certain medicines, and underlying conditions. That is why a single number is best interpreted in context—ideally with your other lipid values and a conversation with a clinician. Our tool helps connect these dots without overwhelming jargon.

Why triglycerides matter

Persistently elevated triglycerides are associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Very high levels (typically ≥ 500 mg/dL) also raise the risk of acute pancreatitis. When triglycerides are high, LDL estimation can be less reliable, and the pattern often coexists with other cardiometabolic risks such as insulin resistance, abdominal fat gain, and higher blood pressure. The good news: everyday changes—nutrition, movement, sleep, and substance habits—tend to move TG in a favorable direction.

How to use this tool well

Start with your triglyceride value and choose units. If you have your full lipid panel, add total cholesterol and HDL to view non‑HDL and LDL estimates. For the tightest interpretation, use a fasting sample. If your TG is above 400 mg/dL, the Friedewald LDL estimate is not valid—use your lab‑reported LDL instead.

• Use fasting values when you can; recent meals can elevate TG.
• Enter total cholesterol and HDL to see non‑HDL and LDL (Friedewald).
• Screenshot your results to track changes over time.

Units and conversions (mg/dL, mmol/L)

Labs report lipids in either milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). The calculator converts in both directions. For triglycerides, 1 mmol/L ≈ 88.57 mg/dL. For cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL), 1 mmol/L ≈ 38.67 mg/dL. We show values in your selected unit and provide the equivalent in the other unit for quick comparison.

Reference ranges and categories

Common adult triglyceride categories are: normal (< 150 mg/dL), borderline high (150–199 mg/dL), high (200–499 mg/dL), and very high (≥ 500 mg/dL). These thresholds help frame risk and guide conversations about next steps. If your result sits close to a boundary, trends over time matter as much as a single reading.

We also display non‑HDL cholesterol (total cholesterol minus HDL) when available. Many guidelines use non‑HDL goals alongside LDL because non‑HDL captures more of the atherogenic particle burden. A typical goal is < 130 mg/dL for many adults, though treatment thresholds depend on your overall risk profile.

Estimates: VLDL, LDL (Friedewald), non‑HDL

When you enter total cholesterol and HDL, the calculator shows two derived values in addition to non‑HDL. First is an estimate of VLDL‑cholesterol, often approximated as triglycerides divided by 5 (mg/dL) in fasting samples. Second is LDL‑cholesterol estimated by the Friedewald equation: LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5 (valid when TG ≤ 400 mg/dL). These rules of thumb are widely used in everyday practice, yet they have limits—non‑fasting samples or very high TG can skew results.

Fasting vs. non‑fasting samples

Many clinicians accept non‑fasting lipid panels. However, triglycerides are particularly sensitive to recent meals and alcohol, so fasting values are often preferred when decisions hinge on TG or calculated LDL. If your non‑fasting TG is high, a repeat fasting test may clarify whether the elevation reflects meals or a persistently higher baseline.

Non‑HDL vs. LDL: which to follow

LDL‑C has long been a primary target for reducing atherosclerotic risk. Non‑HDL‑C (total cholesterol minus HDL) tracks closely with LDL but also captures triglyceride‑rich lipoproteins, which is helpful when TG are elevated. For many adults, a non‑HDL goal of < 130 mg/dL is reasonable; higher‑risk groups may aim lower under clinician guidance. In practice, clinicians use both LDL and non‑HDL, alongside your overall risk estimate, to shape a plan that fits your circumstances.

If you want a broader perspective, consider checking your 10‑year cardiovascular risk with our ASCVD Risk Calculator. It places lipid values in context with age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and sex, which helps you and your clinician prioritize the biggest levers.

Diet patterns and triglycerides

Several eating patterns can lower TG, but the best one is the pattern you can stick with. Diets that reduce added sugars and refined starches typically help. Emphasizing vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and olive oil is a steady baseline. Many people also respond to shifting some calories toward unsaturated fats and away from refined carbohydrates. If you prefer a lower‑carb approach, build it around fiber‑rich plants, fish, eggs, olive oil, yogurt, and nuts to keep it heart‑forward.

Short‑term “resets” rarely stick. Think small swaps you can repeat: water instead of soda at lunch, an extra serving of vegetables at dinner, and a 10‑minute walk after a meal. Our Adult BMI Calculator can add context if you are tracking weight alongside your lipid changes—though BMI is just one data point.

Alcohol and triglycerides

Alcohol can significantly raise TG in some people, even at moderate intake. If your TG is higher than expected, a short break from alcohol (two to four weeks) is a useful experiment. Recheck a fasting TG afterward to see how much it changed. This simple A/B test often answers the question better than speculation.

Weight change and TG

Modest weight changes can shift triglycerides. If weight loss is part of your plan, aim for something sustainable—think pounds per month, not per week. As short, actionable tools, our TDEE Calculator and Weight Loss Calorie Calculator can help you set a sensible target. Pair small calorie changes with consistent activity to avoid the “all or nothing” trap.

Omega‑3 fats: food and prescriptions

Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, trout) and certain nuts/seeds provide omega‑3 fats that can help lower TG over time. In higher‑risk cases or with very high TG, clinicians sometimes consider prescription‑strength omega‑3s. Because supplements vary in purity and dose, decisions about concentrated omega‑3s are best made with your clinician, not by guesswork.

How often to recheck

There is no single rule. If you made a change—diet, alcohol, activity, or medicine—checking a fasting lipid panel in 6–12 weeks is reasonable to see the direction of travel. If your TG was very high, your clinician may want a sooner check or additional tests. Between labs, home tracking can keep momentum: our Blood Pressure Calculator and A1C Calculator complement lipid monitoring for a fuller picture.

Special cases and caveats

Diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, and certain medicines can all affect triglycerides. Genetic lipid disorders can also present with very high TG. If your result is unusual for you, or very high, a clinician can sort through these possibilities and advise next steps. The right plan depends on the person in front of them, not just a number on paper.

What can raise triglycerides

Short‑term factors include large or high‑carbohydrate meals, alcohol, and long sedentary stretches. Longer‑term drivers can include weight gain, insulin resistance or diabetes, hypothyroidism, certain medicines (some beta‑blockers, estrogen, steroids), and genetic lipid disorders. If your number surprises you, review recent habits and medications and consider a second test.

Practical ways to lower triglycerides

You do not need a perfect plan to nudge TG down. Small, repeatable habits compound. Focus on what you can keep doing next week:

• Move most days: Brisk walking for 20–30 minutes, most days, meaningfully improves TG over time.
• Favor fiber and unsaturated fats: Vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil support healthier lipids.
• Reduce sugary drinks and excess refined starches: These often drive TG upward; swap for water or unsweetened tea.
• Moderate alcohol: Even modest alcohol can elevate TG in some people; a short break can be revealing.
• Prioritize sleep: A steady 7–8 hours supports appetite and glucose regulation that influence TG.

If TG remain high, talk with your clinician. Medicines such as statins, fibrates, and prescription omega‑3s may be considered in the right situations. The decision depends on your overall risk picture, preferences, and other lab values.

Examples (walkthroughs)

These simple scenarios show how the calculator behaves with common patterns. They are illustrative only and not medical advice.

• Normal TG, solid HDL: TG 110 mg/dL, TC 190 mg/dL, HDL 58 mg/dL (fasting). Category: Normal. Non‑HDL 132 mg/dL. Friedewald LDL ≈ 110 mg/dL. Emphasis: maintain habits; keep tracking.
• Borderline TG after a big dinner: TG 175 mg/dL non‑fasting, no TC/HDL entered. Category: Borderline high. Next step: consider a fasting repeat; reflect on recent meals.
• High TG with limited data: TG 265 mg/dL, TC 212 mg/dL, HDL 42 mg/dL. Category: High. Non‑HDL 170 mg/dL. Friedewald LDL ≈ 117 mg/dL (fasting recommended to confirm). Lifestyle focus plus clinician discussion.
• Very high TG: TG 525 mg/dL. Category: Very high (pancreatitis risk). The calculator disables LDL validity. This situation warrants prompt clinical attention.

When to talk to a clinician

Any unexpectedly high number deserves a second look. Seek care promptly for very high TG (typically ≥ 500 mg/dL), especially if you have abdominal pain or a history of pancreatitis. Otherwise, schedule time with your clinician to review your full lipid panel, blood pressure, glucose/A1C, and family history. Asking about non‑HDL and long‑term risk (for example, an ASCVD estimate) gives a clearer picture than one value alone.

Related calculators

These tools pair naturally with triglyceride tracking and help round out the cardiometabolic picture:

• Cholesterol Calculator — view LDL, HDL, and non‑HDL together.
• Cholesterol Ratio Calculator — check TC:HDL and other informative ratios.
• ASCVD Risk Calculator — estimate 10‑year cardiovascular risk.
• Adult BMI Calculator — a simple context point for weight trends.
• Blood Pressure Calculator — check categories and track at home.
• A1C Calculator — convert HbA1c to eAG, helpful for metabolic context.
• All Calculators — browse all tools in one place.

Sources

Selected patient‑friendly references you may find helpful:

• American Heart Association — Triglycerides overview. heart.org
• CDC — Cholesterol and triglycerides basics. cdc.gov

This guide is educational and not a substitute for professional care. Always confirm decisions with your clinician.

Frequently Asked Questions