Ibuprofen Dosage Calculator

Calculate a weight-based ibuprofen dose (5-10 mg/kg for children, 200-400 mg OTC for adults) and check the planned daily total against standard dosing limits.

Quick Facts

Pediatric formula
5-10 mg/kg per dose, every 6-8 hours
Standard weight-based ibuprofen dosing for ages 6 months to 11 years; no more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Daily ceiling
40 mg/kg/day (peds) or 1200-3200 mg/day (adult)
1200 mg/day is the self-care OTC limit; up to 3200 mg/day applies only under medical direction.
Age restriction
Not recommended under 6 months
Dosing for infants under 6 months is not established without a pediatrician's guidance.

Your Results

Calculated
Dose per administration
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Weight-based, rounded to 5 mg
Doses per 24 hours
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Based on dosing interval
Estimated daily total
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Per-dose x doses/day
Daily maximum limit
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Ceiling for this category

Ready

Select age group, enter weight, and calculate to see a weight-based ibuprofen dose.

About the Ibuprofen Dosage Calculator

This calculator applies the standard weight-based ibuprofen dosing formula used in pediatric dosing references, alongside the fixed-dose ranges printed on adult over-the-counter labels. It is intended for educational and informational use. Always confirm any medication dose with a pharmacist, physician, or the product label before giving or taking ibuprofen.

How the dose is calculated

For children 6 months through 11 years, the standard formula is dose (mg) = body weight (kg) x dose rate (5 to 10 mg/kg), given every 6 to 8 hours, with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours and a daily ceiling of 40 mg/kg. For people 12 years and older, over-the-counter labeling specifies a fixed 200 to 400 mg dose every 4 to 6 hours, with a self-care daily ceiling of 1200 mg; under direct medical supervision, total daily doses up to 3200 mg in divided doses (commonly 400 mg every 6 hours) are sometimes used. This calculator applies the weight-based formula to the selected age group, caps the single-dose amount at 400 mg (or 800 mg when "physician-directed" is selected for adults), and then checks the resulting daily total against the applicable ceiling.

Interpreting the result

  • The per-dose amount is rounded to the nearest 5 mg, matching how liquid and tablet doses are typically measured in practice.
  • The daily total multiplies the per-dose amount by the number of doses your selected interval allows in 24 hours (four doses every 6 hours, or three every 8 hours).
  • If the planned daily total exceeds the ceiling for the selected age group and use case, the calculator flags it — the fix is usually a lower dose rate or a longer interval, not additional doses.

Important disclaimer

Ibuprofen dosing for infants under 6 months is not established without a pediatrician's guidance, and this calculator does not compute a dose for that group. This tool performs standard dosing arithmetic only; it does not know about kidney function, other medications, allergies, or medical history, all of which can change what dose is appropriate. Always consult a pharmacist or physician before giving or taking ibuprofen, especially for children, older adults, or anyone with an existing health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard ibuprofen dosing formula?
For children 6 months through 11 years, the standard weight-based formula is dose (mg) = body weight (kg) x 5 to 10 mg/kg, given every 6 to 8 hours. For people 12 years and older, over-the-counter labeling calls for a fixed 200 to 400 mg dose every 4 to 6 hours. This calculator applies the weight-based formula and caps the result at the per-dose and daily limits for the selected age group and use case.
How much ibuprofen can be taken in 24 hours?
For children, the standard daily ceiling is 40 mg per kg of body weight. For adults using self-care over-the-counter dosing, the daily ceiling is 1200 mg. Under physician direction, adult daily totals up to 3200 mg in divided doses are sometimes used. These are published dosing ceilings, not a recommendation to reach them.
Is ibuprofen dosing calculated the same way for children and adults?
No. Children 6 months through 11 years use weight-based dosing (5 to 10 mg per kg per dose), while adults and children 12 and older typically use a fixed 200 to 400 mg dose regardless of weight. Ibuprofen dosing is not established for infants under 6 months without a pediatrician's guidance, so this calculator does not compute a dose for that age group.

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