TG/HDL Ratio Calculator
Use our TG/HDL ratio calculator to calculate triglyceride to HDL ratio (triglyceride / HDL ratio). Includes what the TG/HDL ratio means, the TG/HDL ratio formula, a triglyceride HDL ratio chart, and notes on insulin resistance and heart disease risk calculators.
TG/HDL Ratio Meaning
The TG/HDL ratio (also written as triglyceride / HDL ratio or TG HDL C ratio) is calculated by dividing your triglycerides (TG) by your HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
It’s sometimes used as a quick, high-level marker of metabolic health. In research and in some clinical discussions, a higher TG/HDL ratio is associated with higher cardiometabolic risk and may correlate with insulin resistance in some populations.
Your TG/HDL ratio should not be treated as a diagnosis or a complete heart attack risk calculator. Lipids are interpreted together (TG, HDL, LDL, non-HDL) alongside blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, age, and other risk factors.
TG/HDL Ratio Formula
To calculate TG/HDL ratio, divide triglycerides by HDL cholesterol. Use the same unit for both numbers (most commonly mg/dL).
Example: TG 150 mg/dL and HDL 50 mg/dL → ratio = 150/50 = 3.0.
A higher ratio can happen due to higher TG, lower HDL, or both.
Triglyceride / HDL Ratio Chart
General TG/HDL ratio interpretation (mg/dL units). Cutoffs vary by source and population, so use this as a quick reference only.
| TG/HDL ratio | General interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0.5–1.9 | Often considered more favorable / lower risk (general guidance) |
| 2.0–3.0 | Some insulin resistance risk signals are sometimes discussed in this range (context-dependent) |
| Above 3.0 | Common research cutoffs use ~3.0 (varies by population); higher can suggest higher metabolic risk |
| 4.0+ | Often discussed as elevated / higher risk in many consumer reference ranges |
If your lab reports TG and HDL in mmol/L, the ratio cutoffs are not always directly interchangeable across sources. Follow your clinician’s interpretation.
How to Calculate Triglyceride to HDL Ratio
- 1
Find your triglycerides (TG) and HDL values from your lipid panel.
- 2
Make sure both values use the same unit (most commonly mg/dL).
- 3
Divide triglycerides by HDL: TG ÷ HDL.
- 4
The result is your TG/HDL ratio (for example, 2.6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Divide your triglycerides by your HDL cholesterol using the same unit for both: TG/HDL ratio = TG ÷ HDL.
Many references describe lower as better. Some consumer references call ≤2 ideal and higher values progressively less favorable, but there’s no single universal cutoff used everywhere. Use your clinician’s guidance.
It can be a useful summary metric, but it’s only one piece of the picture. Clinicians usually consider TG, HDL, LDL (or non-HDL), and overall cardiovascular risk factors together.
They measure different things. LDL (or non-HDL) is a major focus in many prevention guidelines, while TG/HDL is sometimes used as an additional marker of metabolic risk. The “most important” number depends on your overall risk profile.
Some studies find higher TG/HDL ratios correlate with insulin resistance, but the best cutoff can vary by population and lab context. Treat it as a screening clue, not a diagnosis.
Triglycerides can change with recent meals, alcohol intake, weight changes, illness, medications, and how long you fasted before the test. That’s why lipid panels are often done fasting (or interpreted differently if non-fasting).
You generally can’t calculate HDL from total cholesterol and triglycerides alone. HDL is usually measured directly on a lipid panel. Some formulas estimate LDL from other values, but HDL itself is typically a measured value.
Many cardiovascular risk calculators use age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol values (often total and HDL), diabetes status, and smoking status. Some also incorporate additional risk markers depending on the tool.