Cholesterol (mg/dL) to Millimoles per litre Converter

How it is calculated

The tool multiplies the value in milligrams per decilitre by a fixed factor: mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.0258598. The factor comes from cholesterol's molar mass: 1 mg/dL is 10 mg per litre, and dividing by about 386.7 g/mol gives 0.02586 mmol/L. The result is rounded to two decimals, so a small rounding difference from a lab report is normal. It converts one number at a time and does not distinguish total, LDL or HDL cholesterol; the same factor applies to all. The tool does not check the value for a reasonable range and does not interpret it. Other blood measurements, such as triglycerides or glucose, have different molar masses and need their own factors.

Common mistakes

• Using this factor for triglycerides or glucose. Their molar masses differ, so cholesterol's 0.0259 would give a wrong mmol/L figure.
• Entering a value already in mmol/L. A reading such as 5.2 would be treated as 5.2 mg/dL and come out near 0.13 mmol/L.
• Dividing instead of multiplying. Going from mg/dL to mmol/L multiplies by 0.0259; dividing is the reverse direction.
• Comparing a converted number against a target written for the other unit without converting the target too. Reference limits differ numerically between the two systems.
• Treating the output as medical advice. It is only a unit conversion, and results should be interpreted by a clinician.