Paracetamol Dosage & Safety Calculator

Calculate safe and effective paracetamol (acetaminophen) doses for children and adults by weight, age, and medication form.

Enter weight, age, and select the medication form (liquid or tablet) to instantly get the correct paracetamol dosage in mg, ml, or tablet count. Designed for healthcare professionals, parents, and adults.

Examples

Click an example to load it into the calculator.

Child (20 kg, 7 years) - Liquid

child_liquid

7-year-old child weighing 20 kg, using 160 mg/5ml liquid (32 mg/ml), 4 doses per day.

Weight: 20 kg

Age: 7

Dosage: 15 mg/kg

Concentration: 32 mg/ml

Doses/Day: 4

Interval: 6 hours

Child (30 kg, 10 years) - Tablet

child_tablet

10-year-old child weighing 30 kg, using 500 mg tablets, 3 doses per day.

Weight: 30 kg

Age: 10

Dosage: 15 mg/kg

Tablet Strength: 500 mg

Doses/Day: 3

Interval: 6 hours

Adult (70 kg, 25 years) - Liquid

adult_liquid

25-year-old adult weighing 70 kg, using 120 mg/5ml liquid (24 mg/ml), 4 doses per day.

Weight: 70 kg

Age: 25

Dosage: 15 mg/kg

Concentration: 24 mg/ml

Doses/Day: 4

Interval: 6 hours

Adult (80 kg, 40 years) - Tablet

adult_tablet

40-year-old adult weighing 80 kg, using 500 mg tablets, 4 doses per day.

Weight: 80 kg

Age: 40

Dosage: 15 mg/kg

Tablet Strength: 500 mg

Doses/Day: 4

Interval: 6 hours

Other Titles
Understanding Paracetamol Dosage & Safety Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide
Master safe and effective paracetamol dosing for children and adults. Learn the principles, calculations, and best practices for paracetamol use.

What is the Paracetamol Dosage Calculator?

  • Core Principles of Paracetamol Dosing
  • Why Accurate Dosing Matters
  • Types of Paracetamol Formulations
The Paracetamol Dosage Calculator is a clinical tool designed to help healthcare professionals, parents, and adults determine the correct paracetamol (acetaminophen) dose for children and adults. It uses the patient's weight, age, and medication form to provide safe, effective dosing in mg, ml, or tablet count.
Why is Accurate Dosing Critical?
Underdosing can lead to treatment failure and persistent symptoms, while overdosing increases the risk of side effects such as liver damage. This calculator ensures dosing is tailored to the patient's needs, maximizing efficacy and safety.
Paracetamol Formulations
Paracetamol is available in various forms: tablets, caplets, and oral suspensions. For children, suspensions are most common. The calculator supports the most widely used concentrations and tablet strengths worldwide.

Key Dosing Concepts:

  • Dosing is based on weight, not age, for children.
  • Always check the medication concentration or tablet strength.
  • Divide the total daily dose by the number of doses per day.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator

  • Gathering Accurate Data
  • Inputting Information
  • Interpreting Results
To use the calculator, first weigh the patient accurately. Select the appropriate medication form, and enter all required information. Enter all information and calculate.
Input Fields Explained
Weight: The most important factor. Age: Optional, for reference. Dosage: mg/kg per dose. Form: Liquid or tablet. Concentration: mg/ml for liquids. Tablet Strength: mg per tablet. Doses/Day: 3-4 usual. Interval: 4-6 hours usual. Maximum daily dose: 4000 mg for adults, 75 mg/kg for children (do not exceed adult max).
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides the single dose in mg, ml, or tablet count, as well as the maximum daily dose. Always double-check calculations and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.

Practical Example Steps:

  • A 7-year-old (20 kg) child: 20 × 15 = 300 mg per dose, 4 times daily, using 32 mg/ml liquid: 300/32 = 9.38 ml per dose.
  • A 10-year-old (30 kg) child: 30 × 15 = 450 mg per dose, 3 times daily, using 500 mg tablets: 450/500 = 0.9 tablets per dose.

Real-World Applications of Paracetamol Dosing

  • Home and Parental Use
  • Clinical and Hospital Settings
  • Travel and Emergency Scenarios
Paracetamol dosing is essential knowledge for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. This calculator is useful for home use, clinics, hospitals, and travel situations where quick, accurate dosing is needed.
Parental and Home Use
Parents can use the calculator to ensure safe dosing for children with fever or pain. Always use a proper measuring device for liquids and check the concentration on the label.
Clinical and Hospital Use
Healthcare professionals can use the calculator for rapid, accurate dosing in busy clinical environments. The tool supports both pediatric and adult dosing, with built-in safety checks.
Travel and Emergency Use
When traveling or in emergencies, the calculator provides instant, reliable dosing guidance even when packaging is unclear or local products differ in strength.

Clinical Use Cases:

  • Parent at home: Child with fever, using 160 mg/5ml liquid.
  • Nurse in clinic: Adult with pain, using 500 mg tablets.

Common Misconceptions and Correct Methods

  • Overestimating Safe Dose
  • Confusing Syrup Strengths
  • Ignoring Dose Intervals
Avoiding common mistakes
Never guess the dose or use adult formulas for children. Always check the syrup concentration and do not exceed the maximum daily dose. Respect the minimum interval between doses (4 hours).

Misconception Examples

  • A parent almost gives a double dose by mistake.
  • Someone confuses 160 mg/5ml with 160 mg/1ml and nearly overdoses.

Mathematical Derivation and Examples

  • The Dosage Formula
  • Volume Calculation
  • Maximum Dose Limits
How is the dose calculated?
Dose (mg) = Weight (kg) × Dosage (mg/kg). Volume (ml) = Dose (mg) / Syrup Concentration (mg/ml). Maximum single dose = 1000 mg (adult) or 15 mg/kg (child). Maximum daily dose = 4000 mg (adult) or 75 mg/kg (child).

Mathematical Examples

  • For a 10 kg child, 15 mg/kg: 150 mg per dose. If syrup is 160 mg/5ml (32 mg/ml): 150/32 = 4.69 ml.
  • For a 70 kg adult, 15 mg/kg: 1050 mg per dose. If syrup is 120 mg/5ml (24 mg/ml): 1050/24 = 43.75 ml.