Pediatric Dose Calculator
Calculate safe pediatric medication doses by weight with our free Pediatric Dose Calculator. Get precise single dose and daily dose volumes in mL using mg/kg/day, mg/kg/dose, mg/day, or mg/dose formulas with charts.
About This Calculator
The Pediatric Dose Calculator helps healthcare providers, parents, and caregivers calculate accurate medication doses for children based on their weight. Dosing medications for children requires careful calculation because their bodies process drugs differently than adults — their liver and kidney function is immature, and medications are typically dosed per kilogram of body weight. This calculator supports four dosing methods: mg/kg/day (most common), mg/kg/dose, mg/day (fixed daily dose), and mg/dose (fixed per-dose amount).
The standard formula for pediatric weight-based dosing is: single dose volume (mL) = (prescribed dose × child's weight in kg) / (drug concentration in mg/mL × doses per day). Drug concentration is typically listed on the medication label, such as "250 mg/5 mL" for common paracetamol syrups or "160 mg/5 mL" for infant Tylenol. Always double-check the concentration on your specific medication bottle before administering, as different brands may have different concentrations. Common pediatric dosing frequencies range from once daily (qD) to every hour (q1 hr), typically written using Latin medical abbreviations.
Regional Notes
India (IN): Common pediatric concentrations include paracetamol 250 mg/5 mL, amoxicillin 125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL, and ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL. Pediatric dosing follows IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) guidelines. Weight recording in kilograms is standard practice across all Indian healthcare settings.
United States (US): Common pediatric concentrations include acetaminophen 160 mg/5 mL (Infant Tylenol), ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL (Children's Motrin), and amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL and 400 mg/5 mL. AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) weight-based dosing guidelines are standard. Pediatric weights are sometimes recorded in pounds in at-home settings; convert to kilograms (divide by 2.205) for accurate dosing.
United Kingdom (UK): Common pediatric concentrations include paracetamol 120 mg/5 mL (Paediatric Paracetamol Oral Suspension) and 250 mg/5 mL (Calpol Six Plus), ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL (Nurofen for Children), and amoxicillin 125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL. BNFC (British National Formulary for Children) guidelines provide the standard dosing reference. Always check the specific product's SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics) for exact dosing recommendations.
Important disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional medical advice. Always verify calculated doses with a healthcare provider and consult the medication's prescribing information. Never exceed the maximum recommended daily dose for any medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate pediatric medication dose?
Pediatric doses are calculated using the child's weight in kilograms. For mg/kg/day, the formula is: single dose volume (mL) = (prescribed dose in mg/kg/day × child weight in kg) / (drug concentration in mg/mL × doses per day). Different dosage types (mg/kg/dose, mg/day, mg/dose) use variations of this formula.
What is the difference between mg/kg/day and mg/kg/dose?
mg/kg/day gives the total daily dose per kilogram of body weight, which is then divided by the number of daily doses. mg/kg/dose gives the amount per kilogram for each individual dose, multiplied by the frequency to get the daily total. For example, 10 mg/kg/day given 4 times daily = 2.5 mg/kg per dose.
How do you convert mg to mL for pediatric liquid medication?
To convert mg to mL, divide the prescribed dose in mg by the drug concentration in mg/mL. For example, if the prescribed dose is 100 mg and the concentration is 250 mg/5 mL (50 mg/mL), then 100 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 2 mL per dose.
What is the standard paracetamol dose for children?
The standard pediatric paracetamol (acetaminophen) dose is 10-15 mg/kg per dose, given every 4-6 hours as needed, with a maximum of 60 mg/kg/day in children under 12 years. Common liquid concentrations include 120 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL.
What are common pediatric dose frequency abbreviations?
Common frequency abbreviations include: qD (once daily), BID (twice daily), TID (three times daily), QID (four times daily), q4 hr (every 4 hours, 6 times daily), q3 hr (every 3 hours, 8 times daily), q2 hr (every 2 hours, 12 times daily), and q1 hr (every hour, 24 times daily). These originate from Latin medical terminology.
What is the most accurate way to calculate pediatric doses?
Weight-based dosing (mg/kg) is the most accurate and widely recommended method for pediatric medication dosing, as endorsed by the WHO and AAP. Always use the child's most recent weight in kilograms. Body surface area (BSA) based dosing is used for certain chemotherapy drugs.
What's the difference between child and adult dosing?
Children metabolize medications differently than adults due to immature liver and kidney function, different body water composition, and ongoing growth. Doses must be calculated individually by weight rather than using fixed adult doses. The cutoff between pediatric and adult dosing varies by medication but is typically around 12 years of age or 40 kg body weight.
Can I use this pediatric dose calculator for all medications?
This calculator provides general pediatric dose calculations based on weight and prescribed mg/kg dosing. Always consult a healthcare provider and verify the specific medication's prescribing information, as some drugs require age-based, BSA-based, or indication-specific dosing that differs from standard weight-based formulas.