Steroid conversion calculator
Convert approximate glucocorticoid equivalent doses across common corticosteroids, then check the pediatric indication, route, schedule, and local protocol before acting on the result.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-28
Clinical disclaimer
Steroid conversion quick read
- Convert approximate anti-inflammatory equivalent doses across prednisone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, and cortisone.
- Use the same basis on both sides: single-dose to single-dose, or total daily dose to total daily dose.
- This does not choose a pediatric steroid regimen. Pair the converted amount with the indication, route, duration, and local protocol.
- Do not use a simple conversion table for adrenal-insufficiency stress dosing, chronic steroid replacement, or taper schedules without clinician review.
Enter the total dose per administration or per day, then keep the same basis when interpreting the result.
How the conversion works
The calculator normalizes the entered dose to a standard anti-inflammatory equivalence table, then scales it to the target steroid. For example, 5 mg prednisone is commonly treated as equivalent to 20 mg hydrocortisone, 4 mg methylprednisolone, or 0.75 mg dexamethasone.
Keep the time basis consistent. A total daily prednisone dose should become a total daily target-steroid dose; a single administered dose should become a single target-steroid dose before you decide the schedule.
Equivalent dose table
These values are rounded for bedside conversion. Local tables may differ slightly, especially for betamethasone.
| Steroid | Equivalent dose | Duration | Biologic half-life | Mineralocorticoid effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortisone | 25 mg | Short acting | 8-12 hr | 0.8-2 |
| Hydrocortisone | 20 mg | Short acting | 8-12 hr | 1-2 |
| Prednisone | 5 mg | Intermediate acting | 18-36 hr | 0.3-1 |
| Prednisolone | 5 mg | Intermediate acting | 18-36 hr | 0.3-1 |
| Methylprednisolone | 4 mg | Intermediate acting | 18-36 hr | 0-0.25 |
| Triamcinolone | 4 mg | Intermediate acting | 18-36 hr | 0 |
| Dexamethasone | 0.75 mg | Long acting | 36-54 hr | 0 |
| Betamethasone | 0.6 mg | Long acting | 36-54 hr | 0 |
Hydrocortisone/cortisol 20 mg is the reference anti-inflammatory equivalent in this table.
Pediatric use and safety checks
- Confirm the original order unit is mg, not mL, mg/kg, or a concentration such as mg/5 mL.
- Clarify whether you are converting one dose, a divided daily dose, or a total daily dose.
- Account for route and bioavailability when changing from oral to IV/IM therapy.
- Long-acting agents such as dexamethasone and betamethasone may not match the frequency or clinical effect profile of short-acting agents.
- For prolonged courses, high doses, repeated bursts, or adrenal suppression concerns, use an endocrine/local protocol rather than this quick converter alone.
What this calculator does not do
Steroid equivalence is not the same as choosing a steroid regimen. For croup, asthma exacerbations, oncologic protocols, rheumatology regimens, adrenal insufficiency, transplant immunosuppression, and peri-operative stress dosing, use the disease-specific pathway and medication-specific maximum-dose checks.
If you are converting because of drug availability or a route change, document the original dose, target steroid, reason for conversion, intended schedule, and the plan for reassessment.
References
Frequently asked questions
No. It uses standard anti-inflammatory equivalence tables, so the result is an approximate conversion. Clinical response, route, frequency, indication, and local protocols still matter.
No. This converts between corticosteroid equivalents. Use the prednisolone or dexamethasone medication pages when you need weight-based pediatric dosing and maximum-dose context.
Yes, if you keep the same basis on both sides. Convert a total daily dose to a total daily dose, or a single administered dose to a single administered dose. Do not mix those without adjusting the schedule.
The calculator includes cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, and betamethasone.
Use caution. Equivalent dose math can help compare exposure, but tapering depends on dose, duration, diagnosis, prior steroid exposure, and adrenal suppression risk. Follow local or endocrine guidance.
No. Adrenal crisis, adrenal insufficiency, and peri-procedural stress dosing require protocol-specific hydrocortisone guidance and urgent clinical oversight.