Cholesterol Levels by Age Chart: Normal Ranges (mg/dL)
Medically reviewed by Medical Advisory Board Last reviewed 2026-07-18
Total, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride targets for children and adults
Cholesterol levels by age chart shows the normal ranges for total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Adults aim for total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL and LDL under 100 mg/dL. This guide compares optimal vs. normal targets for every age group.
Your cholesterol levels by age chart helps you read a lipid panel with confidence. Cholesterol is a fatty substance your body needs. Too much of the wrong kind raises heart risk.
This page uses ranges from the CDC, the American Heart Association (AHA), and the NCEP ATP III report. We cover total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. We show targets for both adults and children.
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Book An Appointment With A Specialist →Numbers alone do not tell the full story. Age, family history, and other risk factors matter too. Use these charts as a starting point, then talk with your clinician.
Cholesterol Levels by Age Chart for Adults
For most adults, total cholesterol should stay below 200 mg/dL and LDL below 100 mg/dL. The AHA notes that target ranges stay fairly steady across adult age groups. Risk, not the numbers themselves, rises with age. The chart below shows desirable ranges in mg/dL.
| Adult age group | Total cholesterol | LDL ("bad") | HDL ("good") | Triglycerides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–39 years | <200 | <100 | ≥40 (men), ≥50 (women) | <150 |
| 40–59 years | <200 | <100 | ≥40 (men), ≥50 (women) | <150 |
| 60+ years | <200 | <100 | ≥40 (men), ≥50 (women) | <150 |
The AHA suggests screening every 4–6 years for most adults starting at age 20. People with diabetes or a family history may need checks more often. High cholesterol is one driver of metabolic syndrome.
Total, LDL, HDL, and Triglyceride Ranges Explained
Each part of a lipid panel has its own optimal, borderline, and high range. The NCEP ATP III report set the cutoffs most labs still use today. LDL is the main target because it builds plaque in arteries. The table below breaks down every value in mg/dL.
| Marker | Optimal / Desirable | Borderline | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | <200 | 200–239 | ≥240 |
| LDL cholesterol | <100 | 130–159 | ≥160 |
| HDL cholesterol | ≥60 (protective) | 40–59 | <40 (too low) |
| Triglycerides | <150 | 150–199 | ≥200 |
LDL of 100–129 mg/dL is "near optimal," per NCEP. Triglycerides at or above 500 mg/dL are "very high" and raise pancreatitis risk. High triglycerides often track with insulin resistance.
Normal vs. Optimal: What Is the Difference?
"Normal" means within the common population range, while "optimal" means the level linked to the lowest heart risk. The AHA stresses that lower LDL is generally better for heart and brain health. A "normal" LDL of 120 mg/dL is acceptable but not optimal. The table below shows the gap.
| Marker | Normal (acceptable) | Optimal (lowest risk) |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | <200 | <180 |
| LDL cholesterol | <130 | <100 (or <70 if high risk) |
| HDL cholesterol | ≥40 | ≥60 |
| Triglycerides | <150 | <100 |
The 2018 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guideline pushes high-risk patients toward lower LDL goals. There is no single "normal" LDL for everyone. Your target depends on your overall risk profile, which you can estimate with our metabolic score tool.
Cholesterol Levels for Children and Teens
Children and teens aged 2–19 should have total cholesterol below 170 mg/dL and LDL below 110 mg/dL. The NHLBI set these pediatric cutoffs in 2011. They differ from adult ranges because children's bodies and risks are different. The chart below lists the values in mg/dL.
| Category | Total cholesterol | LDL cholesterol |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptable | <170 | <110 |
| Borderline | 170–199 | 110–129 |
| High | ≥200 | ≥130 |
The CDC recommends one screening between ages 9 and 11. A second check follows between ages 17 and 21. Kids with a family history of high cholesterol may be tested earlier.
How to Improve Your Cholesterol Numbers
You can lower LDL and triglycerides through diet, exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking. The AHA recommends limiting saturated fat and adding more fiber and physical activity. These steps also raise protective HDL. Medication like statins may be added when lifestyle is not enough.
- Eat more fiber, vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil.
- Move at least 150 minutes per week.
- Lose excess weight to cut triglycerides fast.
- Quit smoking to help raise HDL.
Cholesterol is one piece of your wider metabolic health. Pair your lipid panel with markers like CRP and fasting insulin for a fuller picture. Ready to see where you stand? Take 2 minutes with our metabolic score tool to estimate your risk today.
What the 2026 Cholesterol Guidelines Mean for Your Numbers
The ranges above show what is normal, but the 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline changed how doctors turn those numbers into a plan. It replaced the 2018 cholesterol guideline and restored specific LDL goals based on your risk: under 100 mg/dL for most adults, under 70 mg/dL if you have risk factors or a prior heart event, and under 55 mg/dL if you are very high risk. It also recommends that every adult measure their lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), once in their lifetime — an inherited particle that raises heart risk on its own, separate from LDL. And it formally recommends losing at least 5% of your body weight if you carry extra weight, because that improves triglycerides, HDL, and LDL particle size together. For a full plain-English breakdown of what changed, see our guide to the 2026 cholesterol guidelines.
Cholesterol Levels in mmol/L: UK, Canada, and Australia
Every chart on this page uses milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), the standard US unit. The UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe report cholesterol in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) instead — a much smaller-looking number that confuses a lot of readers comparing results internationally. To convert, divide mg/dL by 38.67 to get mmol/L for total cholesterol, LDL, or HDL (for triglycerides, divide mg/dL by 88.57 instead, since triglyceride molecules are a different size). To go the other way, multiply mmol/L by 38.67 (or by 88.57 for triglycerides).
| Marker | US Desirable (mg/dL) | UK/International Desirable (mmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | <200 | <5.2 |
| LDL cholesterol | <100 | <2.6 |
| HDL cholesterol | ≥40 (men), ≥50 (women) | ≥1.0 (men), ≥1.3 (women) |
| Triglycerides | <150 | <1.7 |
The NHS generally flags total cholesterol above 5 mmol/L and LDL above 3 mmol/L for further discussion, broadly in line with the NCEP ATP III borderline-high cutoffs above once converted. As with the US ranges, your own lab's reference interval and your individual risk factors matter more than the raw number — use this table to translate a UK, Canadian, or Australian result into the mg/dL ranges discussed throughout this page, not as a separate set of targets.
How to test cholesterol and lipids at home
You don't need a lab appointment to check your own cholesterol and lipids — a few at-home kits mail you a collection kit and return physician-reviewed results online within days:
Prefer to order direct? The Everlywell Cholesterol & Lipids Test uses a CLIA-certified lab, physician-reviewed results, and prepaid return shipping.
What Makes a Good Omega-3 Supplement
What counts is the EPA + DHA content, not the total 'fish oil' number — aim for at least 1,000 mg combined EPA/DHA per serving. Triglyceride-form (rTG) fish oil absorbs better than the cheaper ethyl-ester form, and an IFOS freshness certificate tells you it isn't rancid. Algae-based versions work for vegetarians.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new cholesterol guidelines for 2026?
The 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline replaced the 2018 cholesterol guideline. It restored numeric LDL goals by risk (under 100, 70, or 55 mg/dL), recommended once-in-a-lifetime lipoprotein(a) screening for all adults, and formally recommended at least 5% weight loss for people who are overweight. See our full guide to the 2026 cholesterol guidelines for details.
What is a normal cholesterol level by age?
A normal total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL for most adults of any age, per the CDC. LDL should stay below 100 mg/dL and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL. These targets stay similar across adult age groups. Children should stay below 170 mg/dL total.
What is the difference between normal and optimal cholesterol?
Normal means your level falls within the common acceptable range, while optimal means the level tied to the lowest heart risk. For example, an LDL of 120 mg/dL is normal but not optimal. The AHA notes lower LDL is generally better. High-risk people often aim for LDL below 70 mg/dL.
What are healthy LDL, HDL, and triglyceride ranges?
Healthy ranges are LDL below 100 mg/dL, HDL at or above 60 mg/dL, and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL. These come from the NCEP ATP III report. HDL below 40 mg/dL is considered too low. Triglycerides at or above 500 mg/dL are very high and need urgent care.
What cholesterol level is normal for children?
Children and teens aged 2–19 should have total cholesterol below 170 mg/dL and LDL below 110 mg/dL, per the NHLBI. Levels of 170–199 mg/dL total are borderline. A total of 200 mg/dL or higher is high. The CDC advises screening once between ages 9 and 11.
How often should I check my cholesterol?
Most adults should check cholesterol every 4 to 6 years starting at age 20, per the AHA. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history may need checks more often. A full lipid panel is part of a comprehensive workup. You can review it alongside a comprehensive metabolic panel.
Is the cholesterol in eggs bad for you?
For most people, no — dietary cholesterol (the cholesterol you eat, like the ~185 mg in one egg yolk) has a much smaller effect on blood cholesterol than saturated fat does for the average person. This is why the US Dietary Guidelines dropped their long-standing 300 mg/day dietary cholesterol limit back in 2015: the body makes most of its own blood cholesterol in the liver and adjusts production down somewhat when dietary intake rises, so eggs in moderation (current AHA guidance: up to one egg a day is fine within an otherwise healthy diet) aren't the driver of high LDL for most people. The exception is a subset of "hyper-responders" whose LDL does rise meaningfully with dietary cholesterol intake — if your LDL is already elevated or you have known heart disease, ask your clinician whether you're likely to be in that group before assuming eggs are automatically fine. Saturated fat (butter, fatty meat, full-fat dairy) remains the bigger lever for most people's LDL than any single cholesterol-containing food.
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