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Infusion Flow Rate Calculator

This latest infusion flow rate calculator allows you to calculate infusion drops rate per minute, flow rate, and drop interval.

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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:

  1. Infusion drops rate per minute
  2. IV fluid flow rate ml/hour
  3. Drop interval: Number of drops per second

IV Flow Rate Formula

For IV flow rate in ml/hour

Infusion flow rate Formula (ml/hr)

For IV flow rate in drops/min (gtts/min)

Infusion flow rate Formula Drops/minute (gtts/min)

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
    1. Infusion drops rate per minute
    2. IV fluid flow rate ml/hour
    3. Drop interval: Number of drops per second

Click Here to calculate maintenance fluid.