What is the TG:HDL ratio?

It is your fasting triglycerides divided by your HDL cholesterol. Research uses it as a simple surrogate for insulin resistance and for the atherogenic pattern of small, dense LDL particles. It is not a NICE-endorsed diagnostic test.

Why does the ratio change with units?

Triglycerides and HDL convert between mmol/L and mg/dL with different factors (88.57 for triglycerides, 38.67 for HDL). So the same blood gives a ratio about 2.29 times larger on the US mg/dL basis than on the UK mmol/L basis. This tool shows both and bands on the mmol/L basis.

What is a good TG:HDL ratio?

On the US mg/dL basis, research often describes below 2 as optimal and above roughly 3.5 as high — that is below about 0.87 and above about 1.53 on the UK mmol/L basis. There is no single agreed cut-off, so treat the bands as context, not a diagnosis.

Are triglycerides and HDL on a Helvy panel?

Yes. Both triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are part of the Advanced Heart Health panel, so you can have them measured together from a single finger-prick sample.

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TG:HDL Ratio Calculator

Your triglycerides-to-HDL ratio is a number your printout rarely shows, yet researchers use it as a quick read on insulin sensitivity and lipid pattern. Enter both values and we will work it out — and explain why the number depends on the unit you use.

Enter both from your result. Everything stays in your browser.

Triglycerides (fasting, mmol/L)

HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

How this is worked out

The ratio is triglycerides divided by HDL. Its value depends on the unit: triglycerides and HDL convert with different factors (88.57 vs 38.67 mg/dL per mmol/L), so the mg/dL ratio is about 2.29× the mmol/L ratio. We band on the UK mmol/L basis using the commonly-cited research thresholds (optimal below 2, high above about 3.5 on the mg/dL basis; i.e. below about 0.87 and above about 1.53 on the mmol/L basis). These are research context bands, not a NICE-endorsed cut-off, not a cardiovascular risk score, and not a diagnosis.

This tool is for general wellbeing information and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. It places the numbers you enter in context; it cannot tell you whether you have a condition. If a result concerns you, or you have symptoms, speak to your GP.

Questions

What is the TG:HDL ratio?: It is your fasting triglycerides divided by your HDL cholesterol. Research uses it as a simple surrogate for insulin resistance and for the atherogenic pattern of small, dense LDL particles. It is not a NICE-endorsed diagnostic test.
Why does the ratio change with units?: Triglycerides and HDL convert between mmol/L and mg/dL with different factors (88.57 for triglycerides, 38.67 for HDL). So the same blood gives a ratio about 2.29 times larger on the US mg/dL basis than on the UK mmol/L basis. This tool shows both and bands on the mmol/L basis.
What is a good TG:HDL ratio?: On the US mg/dL basis, research often describes below 2 as optimal and above roughly 3.5 as high — that is below about 0.87 and above about 1.53 on the UK mmol/L basis. There is no single agreed cut-off, so treat the bands as context, not a diagnosis.
Are triglycerides and HDL on a Helvy panel?: Yes. Both triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are part of the Advanced Heart Health panel, so you can have them measured together from a single finger-prick sample.

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Free to use on your own site. Paste this snippet where you want the calculator to appear. The visitor's numbers stay in their browser, and the link back to Helvy is all we ask in return.

<iframe src="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator/embed" width="100%" height="720" style="border:1px solid #E7DFCC;border-radius:16px;max-width:560px" title="TG:HDL Ratio Calculator by Helvy" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font:12px sans-serif"><a href="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator">TG:HDL Ratio Calculator</a> by Helvy</p>

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<iframe src="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator/embed" width="100%" height="720" style="border:1px solid #E7DFCC;border-radius:16px;max-width:560px" title="TG:HDL Ratio Calculator by Helvy" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px sans-serif"><a href="https://helvy.co.uk/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator">TG:HDL Ratio Calculator</a> by Helvy</p>

TG:HDL Ratio Calculator

The panel that covers this

Advanced Heart Health

A clearer picture of your health starts with a single drop.

TG:HDL Ratio Calculator

The panel that covers this

Advanced Heart Health

A clearer picture of your health starts with a single drop.