Aim Except high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDLC), all the atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterol [including Iow density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), cholesterol of lipoprotein riched triglycerides(TG) and lipoprotein (a) cholesterol] are included in the non-HDLC, which can be used in prediction of the atherogenic cardio vascular risk and as secondary target of lipid lowering therapy. The non-HDLC level can be simply estimated by subtract HDLC from total cholesterol(TC). This study was to provide the reference values and its distribution of serum non-HDLC data of Beijing populations. Methods 28 161 Beijing institutional employees (including those retired, but physical workers were excluded), male/female 6∶4, aged 20～85 years were enrolled in this study. All the subjects participated regular physical examination and well standardized lipid analysis with fasting blood samples (including TC, HDLC and TG. LDLC was calculated by Friedewald formula). Results Non-HDLC levels elevated gradually with increase in age. Male groups had higher average non-HDLC than female groups before age 50, but it was reversed due to much more increase in non-HDLC levels in women after age 50. Age adjusted mean non-HDLC were 3.47 mmol/L in men and 3.29 mmol/L in women. However, in the elderly men and women, the corresponding mean levels were 3.90 and 4.21 mmol/L respectively. It was supposed that the cutoff point of normal TG is 1.7 mmol/L, then the non-HDLC should be 0.77 mmol/L higher then LDLC at that point. But the TG level of most subjects in this study were lower then 1.7 mmol/L, the differences in the level between non-HDLC and LDLC were more or less lower then 0.77 mmol/L in different age groups, the non-HDLC level in this study was 20% lower than the report of Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of US. It indicates that the atherogenic cardiovascular risk is much lower in the subjects of this studied group. Conclusion In the case of higher TG levels (>2.3 mmol/L), non-HDLC will better represent the concentrations of all atherogenics lipoproteins then LDLC alone. The method of non-HDLC estimation is simple and accurate.