Infusion Flow Rate Calculator
This latest infusion flow rate calculator allows you to calculate infusion drops rate per minute, flow rate, and drop interval.
Infusion flow rate Calculator
This IV flow rate calculator (also an IV drip rate calculator) helps determine the correct drip rate of an intravenous fluid — based on the volume and time the medicine should be administered over that has been prescribed for the patient.
Infusion rate calculator allows you to calculate:
- Infusion drops rate per minute
- IV fluid flow rate ml/hour
- Drop interval: Number of drops per second
IV Flow Rate Formula
For IV flow rate in ml/hour
- Flow rate (ml/hr) = Volume (ml) / Time (hr)
For IV flow rate in drops/min (gtts/min)
- Infusion rate (gtts/minute) = {Volume (ml) / Time (hr)} x Drop Factor
Infusion Rate (ml/hr) Example
To find hourly rate (stated in mls per hour)
Example: 1000 cc IV solution ordered to infuse over 8 hours.
Sol:
Volume = 1000 ml
Time = 8 hr
Flow rate (ml/hr) = 1000/8
Answer: Flow rate = 125 ml/hr
Flow Rate (gtts/min) Example
To find hourly rate (stated in drops per min)
Example: The infusion set is adjusted for a drop factor of 15 gtts/mL. Calculate the IV
flow rate if 1500 mL IV saline is ordered to be infused over 12 hours.
Sol:
Volume = 1500 ml
Time = 12 hr
drop factor = 15 gtts/min
Time = 12hr x 60min = 720mins
Flow rate (ml/hr) = 1500/720 x 15
Answer: Flow rate = 31.25 gtts/ml
General Tips
- Check that your answer makes sense clinically.
- Triple check your work.
- Have a colleague or pharmacist check your work.
- Know general therapeutic drug doses for commonly administered medications.
Drop Factor
Drop factor is the number of drops it takes to equal 1 ml with a specific type of IV
tubing.
The drop factor is stated on the tubing package.
Macrodrip: 10, 15 and 20 gtts/minute
Microdrip: 60 gtts/minute
How to use IV Infusion Flow Rate Calculator
- Enter total fluid volume that will be given to the patient
- Select volume unit
- Enter total time needed to administered the fluid volume
- And select the drop factor
- Click on calculate to find out
- Infusion drops rate per minute
- IV fluid flow rate ml/hour
- Drop interval: Number of drops per second
Click Here to calculate IV Drip Rate
Click here to calculate required or remaining time & volume of IV Infusion
