Normal Cholesterol Levels Chart for Men & Women

Q: What is a normal cholesterol level in adults?

A normal cholesterol level in adults means: Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dL LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: < 100 mg/dL HDL (“good”) cholesterol: >40 mg/dL for men or >50 mg/dL for women.

When you hear or read the word “cholesterol,” you might immediately think of it as bad for your health. If you believe this, then you have half-knowledge; cholesterol isn’t always the villain of your body. Your body wants it to function properly.

The catch is that there are two types:

Good cholesterol (HDL)
Bad cholesterol (LDL)

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the helpful one. It clears out unnecessary cholesterol from your blood and sends it to your liver. After which, the cholesterol is removed from your body, lowering the risk of heart disease.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol has a role too, but when it accumulates too much, it can obstruct your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.

That’s why balance matters. You need more of the “good HDL” and less of the “bad LDL.” Both very high and very low levels can cause trouble for your health. Knowing the normal cholesterol levels for men and women helps you stay alert and take early preventive actions if things go off track.

Explore this complete guide to know normal cholesterol levels for women and men.

Normal Level of HDL Cholesterol in Women

Here is the range of the level of HDL cholesterol in women:

Range	Level (mg/dL)
Low HDL	below 50
Normal HDL	50 to 80
High HDL	Above 80

Normal Level of HDL Cholesterol in Men

Here is the range of the level of HDL cholesterol in men:

Range	Level (mg/dL)
Low HDL	Below 40
Normal HDL	40 to 80
High HDL	Above 80

For kids and teens, a normal HDL level is 45 to 80 mg/dL.

Note: Your HDL cholesterol levels should be above 40 mg/dL

What Does it Mean by Low HDL, Normal HDL, & High HDL

Low HDL

A low HDL level indicates that there is insufficient “good” cholesterol. This means extra cholesterol is not removed from your blood, increasing the risk of heart disease.

The causes of low HDL are:

Metabolic syndrome
Overweight or obesity
Insulin resistance
Genetic condition
Hyperlipidemia
Some drugs, like beta-blockers, certain hormones, or some diuretics

Normal HDL

A normal HDL level indicates that there is an adequate amount of “good” cholesterol. This means there is optimal protection for heart health. HDL carries excess cholesterol to the liver to break it down and remove it from the body, reducing the risk of artery blockage.

High HDL

A high HDL level indicates the presence of more “good” cholesterol in your blood, meaning higher protection against heart disease.

Abnormally High HDL (> 80 mg/dL)

Abnormally high HDL signals an underlying issue with how cholesterol is processed in your body (dyslipidemia).

Sometimes, abnormally high HDL could be due to issues like:

Certain genetic changes
Liver problems,
Side effects of medication
Alcohol use disorder
Hyperthyroidism
Primary biliary cholangitis

Normal Level of LDL Cholesterol in Women & Men

Here is the range of the level of LDL cholesterol in women and men. They usually have a similar range of LDL.

Range	Level (mg/dL)	What this indicate
Optimal LDL	< 100	Good for your heart health
Near Optimal	100–129	Normally acceptable, but may need tracking
Borderline High	130–159	Increased risk and requires lifestyle changes
High	160–189	Greater risk and may require medication
Very High	≥ 190	Highest risk; needs medical management

What are the Causes of High LDL Cholesterol Levels?

The following are the common reasons for bad LDL cholesterol in your body:

Consuming more fatty meats (like sausage)
Having full-fat dairy products (like cheese)
Being overweight/obese
Tobacco use (even smokeless tobacco and vaping)
Blood pressure medicines and HIV medicines
Old age
Genetic condition

What is the Cholesterol Test?

A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid profile or lipid panel. It is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your bloodstream:

It means the following cholesterol levels:

LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
HDL (High-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
Triglycerides
VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol

Normal Levels of Triglycerides & VLDL

Type	Normal Level (mg/dL)	Borderline High (mg/dL)	High (mg/dL)	Very High (mg/dL)
Triglycerides	< 150	150–199	200–499	≥ 500
VLDL Cholesterol	< 30	-	≥ 30	-

Conclusion

Measuring cholesterol levels regularly is very crucial, because they can help you with:

Early detection of heart conditions.
Tracking existing health conditions to ensure treatments have an optimal outcome.
Help track if lifestyle changes are working effectively.
Understanding personal risk for heart disease or stroke.
Help allow for timely medical advice and interventions for heart conditions.

FAQs

Q1: What is a normal cholesterol level in adults?
A: A normal cholesterol level in adults means:

Total cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: < 100 mg/dL
HDL (“good”) cholesterol: >40 mg/dL for men or >50 mg/dL for women.

Q2: Why is LDL “bad cholesterol?”
A: LDL is called “bad” cholesterol because it can pile up in the walls of your arteries, forming plaques that block blood flow. This raises your risk of heart conditions and stroke.

Q3: Why is HDL called “good” cholesterol?
A: HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away from your arteries and back to your liver. It is then broken down and removed from your body. This helps protect your heart and lowers the risk of cardiac conditions.