---
title: Triglyceride to HDL Ratio Calculator
type: tool
url: "https://www.test-well.com/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator"
date_published: 2026-10-12
free: true
---

# Triglyceride to HDL Ratio Calculator

> Divide fasting triglycerides by HDL cholesterol, both in mg/dL, and you get the TG:HDL ratio — a simple marker of insulin resistance and of the small, dense LDL pattern. Ratios under 2 are typical of insulin-sensitive adults; 3 or more is the threshold most studies use to flag likely insulin resistance, with a lower cut point in women and weaker validity in Black adults.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Inputs | Triglycerides · HDL (fasting) |
| Marker of | Insulin resistance · small LDL |
| Common cut point | ≥ 3 (mg/dL units) |
| Cost | Free |

## For agents

See https://www.test-well.com/developers for the agent endpoints.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a good triglyceride to HDL ratio?

Under 2 (with both values in mg/dL) is the pattern seen in insulin-sensitive adults with mostly large LDL particles. Between 2 and 3 is intermediate, and 3 or above is where most studies place the likelihood of insulin resistance. There is no official diagnostic cut point; the ratio supports a fasting glucose, A1c or fasting insulin rather than replacing them.

### Why do the units change the ratio?

Triglycerides and HDL convert to mmol/L by different factors (88.6 and 38.7), so the same blood gives a ratio in mmol/L units that is about 0.44 times the mg/dL ratio. A cut point of 3 in mg/dL corresponds to roughly 1.3 in mmol/L — always check which units a threshold was written for.

### Does the ratio work for everyone?

It was derived mainly in white adults and performs poorly in Black adults, in whom triglycerides tend to be lower at the same degree of insulin resistance, so a low ratio is less reassuring there. Women also tend to have lower ratios, and some studies use 2.5 as their threshold. Medications that move triglycerides or HDL shift the ratio without changing insulin sensitivity.

## Related

- [triglycerides](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/triglycerides)
- [hdl cholesterol](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hdl-cholesterol)
- [fasting insulin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/fasting-insulin)
- [glucose](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose)
- [hemoglobin a1c](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin-a1c)
- [lipid panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lipid-panel)
- [pre diabetes panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/pre-diabetes-panel)
- [insulin fasting](https://www.test-well.com/tests/insulin-fasting)
- [hemoglobin a1c](https://www.test-well.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c)

---

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tools/tg-hdl-ratio-calculator
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.