IV Infusion Drop Rate Calculator
Calculate GTT/Min for Medical Fluid Administration
10 gtt/mL (Macro)
15 gtt/mL (Macro)
20 gtt/mL (Macro)
60 gtt/mL (Micro)
Infusion Rate
0
drops per minute (gtt/min)
Flow Rate: 0 mL/hour
Total Time: 0 minutes
Understanding IV Infusion Drop Rates
In clinical settings, accurately calculating the intravenous (IV) drop rate is critical for patient safety. This ensures that medications and fluids are administered at the precise rate prescribed by a physician.
The Drop Rate Formula
To calculate the manual drop rate, we use the following standard formula:
Drop Rate (gtt/min) = [Total Volume (mL) × Drop Factor (gtt/mL)] ÷ Time (minutes)
Key Components:
- Total Volume: The total amount of fluid to be infused, usually measured in milliliters (mL).
- Drop Factor: The number of drops required to deliver 1 mL of fluid. This is specific to the IV tubing set being used (e.g., 10, 15, 20, or 60 gtt/mL).
- Time: The duration over which the infusion should occur, converted into minutes for the calculation.
Practical Example
If a doctor orders 1,000 mL of Normal Saline to be infused over 8 hours using a macro-drip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL:
- Convert hours to minutes: 8 hours × 60 = 480 minutes.
- Multiply volume by drop factor: 1,000 mL × 15 = 15,000 drops.
- Divide by time: 15,000 ÷ 480 = 31.25 gtt/min (Round to 31 gtt/min).
Macro-drip vs. Micro-drip
Tubing sets are categorized into two main types:
- Macro-drip: Typically 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL. Used for routine adult fluid replacement.
- Micro-drip: Always 60 gtt/mL. Used for pediatric patients or highly concentrated medications requiring precise flow. Note: with 60 gtt/mL, the gtt/min is always equal to the mL/hr.