IV Drip Rate Calculator

Your details

Solve for the drip rate, or reverse-solve for the time or the volume.
Total volume of fluid ordered, in millilitres.
mL
Whole hours the infusion should run over.
hr
Any extra minutes on top of the hours above.
min
Drops per millilitre delivered by the administration set, printed on the tubing package.
Currency
Drip rateTypical adult rate
42gtt/min
Flow rate125mL/hr
Drops per hour2,500gtt/hr
Roughly one drop every1.4 s
42 gtt/min
Slow<20Typical20-60Fast60-100Very fast100+

Set the drip to about 42 drops per minute.

  • Microdrip tubing (60 gtt/mL) gives finer control for slow or paediatric infusions; macrodrip sets suit larger, faster volumes.
  • Count the drops in the drip chamber for a full 15 seconds and multiply by four, or time a 60-second count, then adjust the roller clamp.
  • Gravity drips drift as the bag empties and the patient moves, recheck the rate periodically and after any repositioning.

Next stepConfirm the order, the drop factor on your tubing, and the rate with a second check before starting the infusion.

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