Infant & Children's Motrin (Ibuprofen) Dosage Chart by Weight
Find your child's weight, then read across to the product you have. Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL) are 2 times stronger than children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL), so the mL are different. Every 6-8 hours as needed, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Not under 6 months unless a doctor directs.
Motrin (ibuprofen) dosage chart by weight
Fixed doses from the AAP HealthyChildren chart (about 10 mg/kg per dose), one column per product. Every 6-8 hours as needed, no more than 4 doses and no more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours. Not for infants under 6 months unless a doctor directs. Infants' drops amounts for 2 years and older are from the AAP chart; the drops label covers 6-23 months.
- Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL)
- 1.25 mL (50 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 2.5 mL (50 mg)
- Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL)
- 1.875 mL (75 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 4 mL (80 mg)
- Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL)
- 2.5 mL (100 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 5 mL (100 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 1 tablet (100 mg)
- Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL)
- 3.75 mL (150 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 7.5 mL (150 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 1½ tablets (150 mg)
- Infants' drops (50 mg/1.25 mL)
- 5 mL (200 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 10 mL (200 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 2 tablets (200 mg)
- Adult tablets (200 mg)
- 1 tablet (200 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 12.5 mL (250 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 2½ tablets (250 mg)
- Adult tablets (200 mg)
- 1 tablet (200 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 15 mL (300 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 3 tablets (300 mg)
- Adult tablets (200 mg)
- 1½ tablets (300 mg)
- Children's liquid (100 mg/5 mL)
- 20 mL (400 mg)
- Chewable tablets (100 mg)
- 4 tablets (400 mg)
- Adult tablets (200 mg)
- 2 tablets (400 mg)
| Weight | Typical age | Infants' drops50 mg/1.25 mL | Children's liquid100 mg/5 mL | Chewable tablets100 mg | Adult tablets200 mg | Max in 24 h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-11 lbup to 5 kg | 0-5 months | Ask your doctor | — | |||
| 12-17 lb6-7 kg | 6-11 months | 1.25 mL (50 mg) | 2.5 mL (50 mg) | — | — | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 18-23 lb8-10 kg | 12-23 months | 1.875 mL (75 mg) | 4 mL (80 mg) | — | — | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 24-35 lb11-15 kg | 2-3 years | 2.5 mL (100 mg) | 5 mL (100 mg) | 1 tablet (100 mg) | — | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 36-47 lb16-21 kg | 4-5 years | 3.75 mL (150 mg) | 7.5 mL (150 mg) | 1½ tablets (150 mg) | — | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 48-59 lb22-26 kg | 6-8 years | 5 mL (200 mg) | 10 mL (200 mg) | 2 tablets (200 mg) | 1 tablet (200 mg) | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 60-71 lb27-32 kg | 9-10 years | — | 12.5 mL (250 mg) | 2½ tablets (250 mg) | 1 tablet (200 mg) | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 72-95 lb33-43 kg | 11 years | — | 15 mL (300 mg) | 3 tablets (300 mg) | 1½ tablets (300 mg) | 4 doses in 24 h |
| 96+ lb44+ kg | 12 years and older | — | 20 mL (400 mg) | 4 tablets (400 mg) | 2 tablets (400 mg) | 3 doses (1,200 mg) in 24 h |
- 0-11 lb: Under 6 months: do not give unless a doctor directs.
- 12-17 lb: Not under 6 months, even at this weight. Infants' drops are labeled for 6-23 months; the children's liquid label says ask a doctor under 2 years.
- 18-23 lb: Infants' drops are labeled for 6-23 months; the children's liquid label says ask a doctor under 2 years.
- 24-35 lb: Infants' drops: AAP amount; the drops label covers 6-23 months, so children's liquid or chewables are easier to measure.
- 36-47 lb: Infants' drops: AAP amount; the drops label covers 6-23 months, so children's liquid or chewables are easier to measure.
- 48-59 lb: Infants' drops: AAP amount; the drops label covers 6-23 months, so children's liquid or chewables are easier to measure. Adult tablets: AAP amount; the adult label says ask a doctor under 12 years.
- 60-71 lb: Adult tablets: AAP amount; the adult label says ask a doctor under 12 years.
- 72-95 lb: Adult tablets: AAP amount; the adult label says ask a doctor under 12 years.
- 96+ lb: No more than 3 doses (1,200 mg) in 24 hours.
Doses follow the AAP HealthyChildren dosing tables; mL is for the liquid concentration shown. If a weight falls between rows, use the lower dose.
Sources: AAP HealthyChildren; DailyMed (links below). . This chart does not replace the product label or your clinician's advice.
Which bottle do I have?
- Children's liquid 100 mg/5 mL
- Infants' drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (2 times stronger)
- Chewables 100 mg
- Adult tablets 200 mg
Match the strength printed on your bottle or package (mg per mL, per 5 mL, or per tablet) before using the chart.
Safety checks before dosing
- Avoid ibuprofen in infants under 6 months unless directed by a clinician.
- Infant drops are more concentrated than standard liquid.
- Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours; over-the-counter maximum is 1,200 mg/day.
When to call a doctor
- Symptoms get worse or do not improve after appropriate dosing.
- Your child has a chronic condition, kidney or liver disease, or takes other medicines.
- You are unsure about the concentration or the correct dose.
Need an exact dose for your child's weight?
- Ibuprofen (Motrin) dose calculator — enter weight and age for the mg and mL for your bottle.
- Printable Motrin dosing chart
- Infant & children's Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosage chart — for parents comparing fever medicines.
- All children's OTC dosing charts
Frequently asked questions
It is a reference table that matches weight to an ibuprofen dose (mg and mL). Always confirm the bottle concentration and follow max daily limits.
Most children can take ibuprofen every 6–8 hours as needed. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
Yes. Motrin and Advil are brand names for ibuprofen.
Avoid ibuprofen under 6 months unless your clinician specifically recommends it.
Ibuprofen can affect kidney function when dehydrated. Contact a clinician if the child has vomiting, poor intake, or signs of dehydration.
Alternating can be used in select situations but increases dosing complexity. Follow clinician guidance.