Background: Small dense low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (sdLDL-C), cholesterol ratios and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) impart risk for all-cause morbidity and mortality independently of conventional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study was designed to identify feasible indicators for predicting arterial stiffness progression. Methods: We followed up 816 normotensive participants without diabetes or CVD for nearly 5.0 years. Cholesterol parameters, ratios and other clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline. cf-PWV were measured at baseline and the end of follow-up. Results: PWV progression subjects had higher levels of PWV parameters, sdLDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratio. sdLDL-C and TG/HDL-C were significantly correlated with all PWV parameters. Multiple regression models showed that sdLDL-C was closely associated with follow-up PWV (beta = 0.222, p < 0.001) and Delta PWV (beta = 0.275, p < 0.001). TG/HDL-C was only one cholesterol ratios that associated with all PWV parameters. sdLDL-C (OR = 2.070, 95% CI: 1.162 to 3.688, p = 0.014) and TG/HDL-C (OR = 1.355, 95% CI: 1.136 to 1.617, p = 0.001) could significantly determine the progression of PWV after correction for covariates. High sd-LDL-C quantiles subjects were more likely to develop arterial stiffness progression than low quantiles (Tertiles 3 vs Tertiles1, RR = 2.867, 95% CI: 1.106 to 7.434, p = 0.03). Conclusion: We founded that sdLDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratio can independently predict arterial stiffness progression in normotensive subjects, and high level sdLDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratio were associated with a higher risk of arterial stiffness.