IV infusion rate calculator (mcg/kg/min ↔ mL/hr)
Convert infusion doses between mcg/kg/min, mg/hr, and mL/hr with a single tool. Designed for pediatric infusion checks with concentration and unit safeguards.
Clinical disclaimer
Use actual weight in kilograms.
How it works
The calculator converts between common infusion units by using the drug concentration (mg/mL). Weight-based dosing is handled by converting mcg/kg/min into mg/hr, then dividing by concentration to get mL/hr.
- mcg/kg/min → mL/hr: (mcg/kg/min × kg × 60) ÷ (mg/mL × 1000).
- mL/hr → mcg/kg/min: (mL/hr × mg/mL × 1000) ÷ (kg × 60).
- mg/hr → mL/hr: mg/hr ÷ mg/mL.
Common use cases
- Converting vasoactive infusion orders (mcg/kg/min) to pump rates (mL/hr).
- Verifying pharmacy-prepared concentrations against bedside orders.
- Double-checking mL/hr orders by converting back to mcg/kg/min.
Safety checks before you run the infusion
- Confirm the concentration on the bag or syringe label.
- Re-verify weight (kg) when dosing is weight-based.
- Use your institution’s rounding and titration guidelines.
Rapid bedside workflow
- Confirm medication, concentration, and ordered dose units before calculation.
- Verify patient weight and recency if the order is weight-based.
- Calculate target mL/hr, then perform reverse conversion to confirm dose alignment.
- Set pump with institution-approved rounding, then perform independent double-check.
- Document reassessment interval and titration boundaries before leaving bedside.
Reassessment cadence
- After initiation or titration: reassess hemodynamics and line delivery within 15-30 minutes.
- Clinically stable period: continue reassessment at unit-defined intervals with trend documentation.
- Any unexpected response, concentration change, or access issue: immediate recalculation and bedside recheck.
Concentration and unit guardrails
- Treat concentration mismatch between order and bag label as a hard stop until reconciled.
- Avoid carrying forward prior-shift rates without re-validating current concentration and patient weight.
- If ordered units are ambiguous (mg/hr vs mcg/kg/min), clarify before programming pump.
- High-risk vasoactive or sedative infusions require explicit titration limits in handoff.
Compare with
- IV drip rate calculator: use when tubing drop factor and gtt/min are the bedside constraint.
- IV maintenance fluids calculator: use when the question is total daily or hourly maintenance fluid need.
- Glucose infusion rate calculator: use when dextrose delivery in mg/kg/min is the important check.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
You need the ordered dose (mcg/kg/min or mg/hr), the child’s weight (for weight-based dosing), and the drug concentration in mg/mL.
Convert dose → mg/hr, then divide by concentration (mg/mL). The calculator automates the steps and unit conversions.
Use the reverse conversion to compute mcg/kg/min for verification. This is a common safety check when titrating infusions.
Follow your pump’s increment and institutional rounding guidance. Re-check the final rate and concentration before administering.
Document the ordered dose units, concentration used, final programmed rate, independent verification result, and reassessment/titration plan so handoffs remain safe and reproducible.