Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

Convert a dose from one benzodiazepine to another using the standard diazepam-equivalent (Ashton) table. Pick the source and target drug, enter the dose and daily frequency, and see the equivalent dose.

Quick Facts

Method
Diazepam-equivalent conversion
Target dose = source dose × (target equivalent ÷ source equivalent), where each equivalent is the mg roughly equal to 10 mg diazepam.

Your Results

Calculated
Equivalent target dose
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Total daily dose of the target drug
Diazepam equivalent
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Total daily dose as diazepam
Source daily dose
-
Dose × times per day
Target dose per intake
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At the same frequency

Ready

Choose the source and target benzodiazepine, enter the dose and frequency, then press Calculate.

About the Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

Benzodiazepines vary widely in potency, so 1 mg of one drug is rarely equal to 1 mg of another. This calculator uses the standard diazepam-equivalent approach: every benzodiazepine is assigned an approximate dose that has a similar effect to 10 mg of diazepam, and doses are converted through that common reference. It is the same method used in the widely cited Ashton Manual equivalence table.

The formula

Each drug has an equivalence value E — the number of milligrams roughly equal to 10 mg of diazepam (for example, alprazolam 0.5 mg, lorazepam 1 mg, oxazepam 20 mg). To convert a dose from a source drug to a target drug:

  • Total daily dose = dose per intake × times per day.
  • Diazepam equivalent = total daily dose × (10 ÷ Esource).
  • Equivalent target dose = total daily dose × (Etarget ÷ Esource).

The equivalence values built into this tool (mg approximately equal to 10 mg diazepam) are: diazepam 10, alprazolam 0.5, bromazepam 6, chlordiazepoxide 25, clonazepam 0.5, clorazepate 15, estazolam 1, flurazepam 15, lorazepam 1, nitrazepam 10, oxazepam 20, temazepam 20, and triazolam 0.5.

How to read the result

The highlighted figure is the equivalent total daily dose of the target drug. The calculator also shows the total load expressed as diazepam, your source daily dose, and the target dose per intake if you keep the same number of doses per day. Published tables give approximate ranges rather than exact figures, and individual response varies with half-life, tolerance, age, and liver function, so treat every result as an estimate.

When to consult a professional

This calculator is for information and estimation only and does not provide medical or dosing advice. Benzodiazepine equivalences are approximate, and switching drugs or adjusting a dose can cause withdrawal or oversedation. Never change, stop, or switch a benzodiazepine without the supervision of a qualified prescriber.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert one benzodiazepine to another?
Each benzodiazepine has an approximate dose equal to 10 mg of diazepam — for example 0.5 mg alprazolam or clonazepam, 1 mg lorazepam, and 20 mg oxazepam. To convert, multiply your dose by the ratio of the two equivalent doses: target dose = source dose × (target equivalent ÷ source equivalent).
What is a diazepam equivalent?
A diazepam equivalent expresses any benzodiazepine dose as the amount of diazepam expected to have a similar effect, so drugs of different potencies can be compared on one scale. This calculator reports the total daily diazepam-equivalent alongside the converted target dose.
Are these equivalences exact?
No. Published tables such as the Ashton Manual give approximate values, and individual response varies with half-life, tolerance, age, and liver function. Use the result as an estimate only, and never switch benzodiazepines or change a dose without a qualified clinician.

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