Pediatric Epinephrine Dose Calculator

Enter the patient's weight and the clinical route to compute the standard 0.01 mg/kg epinephrine dose, the volume to draw, and the applicable maximum-dose cap - for education and reference only.

Quick Facts

Standard dose
0.01 mg/kg
Same weight-based formula for IM anaphylaxis dosing and IV/IO cardiac-arrest dosing; only the concentration and dose cap differ.
Dose caps
0.3-0.5 mg IM, 1 mg IV/IO
IM anaphylaxis doses cap at 0.3 mg under 30 kg and 0.5 mg at 30 kg and over; IV/IO arrest doses cap at 1 mg per dose.
Autoinjector bands
0.15 mg (15-30 kg), 0.3 mg (30 kg+)
Fixed-dose autoinjectors approximate the weight-based IM dose in two steps.

Your Results

Calculated
Epinephrine dose
-
0.01 mg/kg, capped to route maximum
Volume to draw
-
At the route's standard concentration
Weight used
-
Converted to kilograms
Dose cap applied
-
Whether the maximum-dose ceiling was reached

Ready

Enter the patient's weight and select the route, then calculate.

About the pediatric epinephrine dose calculator

This calculator applies the standard weight-based epinephrine dosing formula used in pediatric emergency care: 0.01 mg per kilogram of body weight. The same 0.01 mg/kg formula underlies both intramuscular dosing for anaphylaxis and intravenous or intraosseous dosing for cardiac arrest, but the two routes use different drug concentrations and different maximum single-dose caps, so the calculated dose and draw volume can differ between them. This tool is intended for education and reference only.

How the dose is calculated

The calculator converts the entered weight to kilograms, then multiplies by 0.01 mg/kg to get the raw weight-based dose. For the intramuscular anaphylaxis route, that dose is capped at 0.3 mg for patients under 30 kg and 0.5 mg for patients at or above 30 kg, and it is drawn from the 1:1000 concentration (1 mg/mL), so the volume in mL equals the dose in mg. For the intravenous or intraosseous cardiac arrest route, the dose is capped at 1 mg per dose and is drawn from the more dilute 1:10,000 concentration (0.1 mg/mL), so the volume in mL equals ten times the dose in mg.

Interpreting the result

  • The dose cap matters most for larger children and adolescents: once the weight-based dose reaches the route's maximum, the calculator reports the capped value rather than a higher raw number.
  • Fixed-dose autoinjectors approximate the intramuscular weight-based dose in two steps: 0.15 mg for roughly 15-30 kg and 0.3 mg for roughly 30 kg and above. The calculated milligram dose helps confirm which device size matches a given weight.
  • Confirming the concentration before drawing up a dose is essential - the 1:1000 and 1:10,000 solutions differ tenfold, and mixing them up is a recognized source of dosing error.

Important disclaimer

This tool performs standard weight-based arithmetic only. It does not constitute medical advice, does not replace institutional protocols or resuscitation guidelines, and should not be used to administer medication without the involvement of a licensed clinician.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard pediatric epinephrine dose?
The standard weight-based dose is 0.01 mg per kg of body weight for both intramuscular anaphylaxis treatment and intravenous or intraosseous cardiac arrest treatment. The two routes use different concentrations and different maximum single-dose caps, so the calculated volume differs even when the dose in milligrams is close.
How does the concentration change the volume drawn up?
Intramuscular anaphylaxis dosing uses the 1:1000 concentration, which is 1 mg per mL, so the volume in mL equals the dose in mg. Intravenous or intraosseous cardiac arrest dosing uses the more dilute 1:10,000 concentration, which is 0.1 mg per mL, so the volume in mL equals ten times the dose in mg. Using the wrong concentration for the wrong route is a well-documented source of dosing error.
Can this calculator be used to give a dose to a patient?
No. This tool performs the standard weight-based arithmetic for education and reference only. It does not replace clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or a licensed clinician's assessment, and actual medication administration should always follow current resuscitation guidelines and professional oversight.

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