IV Fluid Drop Rate Calculator
Calculate GTT/min and Infusion Rates accurately
10 (Macrodrip)
15 (Macrodrip)
20 (Macrodrip)
60 (Microdrip)
Calculation Result:
Understanding IV Fluid Calculation
In clinical settings, accurately calculating the IV fluid drop rate is critical for patient safety. This calculator helps determine the drops per minute (gtt/min) required to deliver a specific volume of fluid over a set period using various administration sets.
The Formula Used:
Drop Rate (gtt/min) = [Total Volume (mL) × Drop Factor (gtt/mL)] / Time (minutes)
Key Terms:
- Drop Factor: The number of drops it takes to make up 1 mL of fluid. This is printed on the IV tubing package.
- Macrodrip: Typically 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL. Used for routine adult infusions.
- Microdrip: Always 60 gtt/mL. Used for pediatric or high-precision medication infusions.
- Flow Rate: The volume of fluid delivered per hour (mL/hr).
Practical Example:
If a doctor orders 1,000 mL of Normal Saline to be infused over 8 hours using a 20 gtt/mL administration set:
- Convert hours to minutes: 8 hours × 60 = 480 minutes.
- Multiply Volume by Drop Factor: 1,000 × 20 = 20,000 drops.
- Divide by minutes: 20,000 / 480 = 41.67 gtt/min (Rounded to 42 gtt/min).
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. Clinical calculations should always be double-checked by a licensed healthcare professional before administration.