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Paracetamol Dosage Calculator

Created by Małgorzata Koperska, MD and Dominika Śmiałek, MD, PhD candidate
Reviewed by Bogna Szyk and Jack Bowater
Based on research by
World Health Organization WHO guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses;; 2012See 1 more source
de Martino M, Chiarugi A. Recent Advances in Pediatric Use of Oral Paracetamol in Fever and Pain Management.; Pain and Therapy; December 2015
Last updated: Jan 18, 2024


This paracetamol dosage calculator can help you determine the maximum paracetamol dosage for a child by their weight. It works similarly to our dosage calculator, but the equation already has the recommended pediatric dose of paracetamol.

If your child is sick, you might also be interested in alleviating their pain with ibuprofen. In that case, check out our ibuprofen dosage calculator.

Paracetamol dosage for children by weight

The regularly prescribed analgesic and antipyretic oral or rectal dose of paracetamol for children over 3 months is:

10 to 15 mg per 1 kilogram of body weight

It can be administered every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 5 doses in 24 hours. The maximal daily pediatric dose of paracetamol is:

60 mg/kg

According to some sources, rectal administration of drugs is less effective, but it's been proven that the same oral and rectal paracetamol dosages have comparably effective antipyretic properties. That's why the recommended doses of the drug are identical in both liquid form and as a suppository. Read more about it in this comprehensive meta-analysis.

If you think your child needs more than the maximal dose, it's possible to use paracetamol and ibuprofen alternately. Please consult your pediatrician before administering more drugs to your child.

How does the paracetamol calculator work?

Let's assume that your child is four years old and weighs 20 kg. First, the paracetamol dosage calculator will estimate these figures:

  • The single pediatric dose of paracetamol:
    20 kg × 15 mg/kg = 300 mg
  • The maximum daily dose for your child:
    20 kg × 60 mg/kg = 1200 mg

Pills are hard to swallow for children, so paracetamol for pediatric use is usually found in liquid form.

It's very important to determine the dosage precisely, especially with small children. Check the solution strength in mg/mL on the drug packaging, and remember our calculator gives the results in milligrams, not mililiters.

Make sure you measure the liquid form of paracetamol with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup. It's a great help in pediatric medication dosing. It would be unwise to rely on a tablespoon, as they come in all shapes and sizes.

FAQ

How do I calculate the paracetamol dosage for a child of 19 kg?

A single paracetamol dose for a child of 19 kg is 285 mg.

To calculate paracetamol dosage:

  1. You need to know the child's weight. In this case, weight = 19 kg.
  2. The standard paracetamol dose for children is 15 mg/kg of body weight.
  3. Multiply the child's weight by 15 mg.
  4. A single dose = 19 × 15 mg = 285 mg.

How do I calculate paracetamol syrup dosage for a child?

To calculate paracetamol syrup dosage for a child:

  1. Weigh the child.
  2. Calculate the dose you need: multiply the child's weight in kg by 15 mg.
  3. Dose = weight [kg] × 15 mg.
  4. Read the syrup concentration on the package. Let's assume it's 120 mg/5 ml.
  5. Calculate the syrup amount with the equation amount of syrup [ml] = (5 × dose) / 120
  6. If your syrup strength is 250 mg/5 ml, the equation will look like this: amount of syrup [ml] = (5 × dose)/250

What is the maximum dosage of paracetamol?

The maximum dosage of paracetamol depends on the clinical situation. See the table below:

Patient

Timing

Maximum dosage

Adult

One dose

1g/dose

Adult

One day

4 g/day

Adult

One day (chronic use)

2.5 g/day

Child

One dose

20 mg/kg/dose

Child

One day

65 mg/kg/day

We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, neither we nor our content providers warrant the accuracy of the information on this site. All information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and should not serve as a substitute for medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions. Omni Calculator and its content providers expressly disclaim responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. Your use of the site is only your own risk.

Małgorzata Koperska, MD and Dominika Śmiałek, MD, PhD candidate
Child's age
yrs
Child's weight
lb
Maximum single dose of paracetamol is 272.155422 mg.
Maximum daily dose of paracetamol is 1088.62 mg.
Administer the single dose maximum 4 times in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses.
If you want to calculate doses based on the most used forms of paracetamol, go to Infant tylenol dosage calculator.
Always double-check the calculations, the dosing information and contraindications on the leaflet. Contact your health provider before administering.
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