IV Drip Rate (Drops/min) Calculator
10 gtt/mL (Macro)
15 gtt/mL (Macro)
20 gtt/mL (Macro)
60 gtt/mL (Micro)
Required Flow Rate
Understanding IV Drip Rate Calculation
In clinical practice, the IV drip rate calculation is critical for delivering intravenous fluids or medications accurately over a specific period. The result is expressed in drops per minute (gtt/min), which allows healthcare professionals to set the gravity flow manually when an infusion pump is unavailable.
The Drip Rate Formula
Drip Rate (gtt/min) = (Total Volume in mL × Drop Factor in gtt/mL) / Time in Minutes
Key Components
- Total Volume: The total amount of fluid ordered (e.g., Normal Saline 1000 mL).
- Drop Factor: The number of drops it takes to make up 1 mL of fluid, determined by the IV tubing set being used. Standard macro-drip sets are usually 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL, while micro-drip sets are always 60 gtt/mL.
- Infusion Time: The duration over which the fluid should be administered, converted entirely into minutes for the formula.
Example Calculation
A doctor orders 500 mL of 0.9% NS to be infused over 4 hours using a 15 gtt/mL administration set.
- Convert hours to minutes: 4 hours × 60 = 240 minutes.
- Apply formula: (500 mL × 15 gtt/mL) / 240 min.
- Calculate: 7500 / 240 = 31.25 gtt/min.
- In practice, you would round this to 31 drops per minute.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Always verify medical calculations with a qualified professional or institutional protocol.