Nursing IV Drip Rate Calculator
Calculate Infusion Rates (mL/hr) and Drip Rates (gtt/min)
10 (Macro)
15 (Macro)
20 (Macro)
60 (Micro)
Hours
Minutes
Results:
Infusion Rate
0 mL/hr
Drip Rate
0 gtt/min
Understanding IV Drip Rate Calculations
In clinical nursing practice, accurately calculating the flow rate of intravenous fluids is critical for patient safety. This calculator helps determine both the infusion rate for electronic pumps (mL/hr) and the manual drip rate for gravity infusions (gtt/min).
Core Formulas for Nursing Math
- Infusion Rate (mL/hr): Total Volume (mL) ÷ Total Time (hr)
- Drip Rate (gtt/min): [Total Volume (mL) × Drop Factor (gtt/mL)] ÷ Total Time (min)
Drop Factors Explained
The "Drop Factor" is the number of drops it takes to equal 1 mL of fluid, which is determined by the administration set tubing:
- Macro-drip: Typically 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL. Used for routine adult infusions.
- Micro-drip: Always 60 gtt/mL. Used for pediatric infusions or high-precision medications.
Practical Example
Scenario: You are ordered to infuse 1,000 mL of Normal Saline over 8 hours. You are using a macro-drip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL.
- Calculate mL/hr: 1,000 mL ÷ 8 hours = 125 mL/hr.
- Convert time to minutes: 8 hours × 60 = 480 minutes.
- Calculate gtt/min: (1,000 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 480 min = 31.25 (approx 31 gtt/min).