Get the Right Dose
Easily determine the right dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for your child’s weight.
For Zyrtec, see this dosage guide.
Important Instructions
- Always read and follow the label instructions.
- Whenever possible, use the dosing device that came with the product. Syringes and droppers are more accurate than teaspoons.
- If you use a teaspoon, it should be a measuring spoon. Regular spoons are not reliable.
For infants under 6 pounds, check with your doctor.
| Child's Weight | Medication | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| 6-11 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 1.25 mL |
| 12-17 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 2.5 mL |
| 18-23 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 3.75 mL |
| 24-35 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 5 mL |
| 36-47 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 7.5 mL |
| 48-59 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 10 mL |
| 60-71 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 12.5 mL |
| 72-95 lbs | Acetaminophen Syrup 160 mg/5mL (such as Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension) | 15 mL |
| 24-35 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 1 tablet |
| 36-47 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 1.5 tablets |
| 48-59 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 2.5 tablets |
| 72-95 lbs | Chewable Acetaminophen Tablets 160 mg (such as Children’s Tylenol Chewable Tablets) | 3 tablets |
| 48-59 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1 tablet |
| 60-71 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1 tablet |
| 72-95 lbs | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 1.5 tablets |
| 96 lbs or more | Adult Acetaminophen Tablets 325 mg (such as Tylenol Regular Strength) | 2 tablets |
| 12-17 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 1.25 mL |
| 18-23 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 1.875 mL |
| 24-35 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 2.5 mL |
| 36-47 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 3.75 mL |
| 48-59 lbs | Ibuprofen Infant Drops 50 mg/1.25 mL (such as Infant’s Motrin Oral Suspension Drops) | 5 mL |
| 12-17 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 2.5 mL |
| 18-23 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 4 mL |
| 24-35 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 5 mL |
| 36-47 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 7.5 mL |
| 48-59 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 10 mL |
| 60-71 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 12.5 mL |
| 72-95 lbs | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 15 mL |
| 96 lbs or more | Ibuprofen Liquid 100 mg/5 mL (such as Children’s Motrin Oral Suspension) | 20 mL |
| 48-59 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 2.5 tablets |
| 72-95 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 3 tablets |
| 96 lbs or more | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 4 tablets |
| 24-35 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 1 tablet |
| 36-47 lbs | Chewable Ibuprofen Tablets 100 mg (such as Children’s Motrin Chewables) | 1.5 tablets |
| 48-59 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1 tablet |
| 60-71 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1 tablet |
| 72-95 lbs | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 1.5 tablets |
| 96 lbs or more | Adult Ibuprofen Tablets 200 mg (such as Motrin IB or Advil) | 2 tablets |
| 20-24 lbs | Diphenhydramine Liquid 12.5mg/5mL (such as Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquid) | 4 mL |
| 25-37 lbs | Diphenhydramine Liquid 12.5mg/5mL (such as Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquid) | 5 mL |
| 38-49 lbs | Diphenhydramine Liquid 12.5mg/5mL (such as Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquid) | 7.5 mL |
| 50-99 lbs | Diphenhydramine Liquid 12.5mg/5mL (such as Children's Benadryl Allergy Liquid) | 10 mL |
| 25-37 lbs | Diphenhydramine Chewables 12.5mg (such as Children's Benadryl Chewables) | 1 tablet |
| 38-49 lbs | Diphenhydramine Chewables 12.5mg (such as Children's Benadryl Chewables) | 1.5 tablets |
| 50-99 lbs | Diphenhydramine Chewables 12.5mg (such as Children's Benadryl Chewables) | 2 tablets |
| 100 lbs or more | Diphenhydramine Chewables 12.5mg (such as Children's Benadryl Chewables) | 4 tablets |
| 25-49 lbs | Diphenhydramine Tablets 25mg (such as Benadryl Allergy Tablets) | 1/2 tablet |
| 50-99 lbs | Diphenhydramine Tablets 25mg (such as Benadryl Allergy Tablets) | 1 tablet |
| 100 lbs or more | Diphenhydramine Tablets 25mg (such as Benadryl Allergy Tablets) | 2 tablets |
| 50-99 lbs | Diphenhydramine Capsules 25mg (such as Benadryl Allergy Capsules or Liqui-Gels) | 1 capsule |
| 100 lbs or more | Diphenhydramine Capsules 25mg (such as Benadryl Allergy Capsules or Liqui-Gels) | 2 capsules |
Acetaminophen
Tylenol
- Do not give before 2 months of age. Call us immediately if your baby under 2 months old has a fever of 100.4 or higher.
- Repeat dose every 4-6 hours while symptoms last.
- Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
- Do not use with any other product containing acetaminophen.
- Source: HealthyChildren.org
Ibuprofen
Advil, Motrin
- Not for children under 6 months of age.
- Repeat dose every 6-8 hours as needed.
- Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
- Source: HealthyChildren.org
Diphenhydramine
Benadryl
- When recommended by a provider, diphenhydramine may be used safely in young children.
- Non-sedating alternatives (eg, loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) are available over-the-counter. Please ask a healthcare provider before using these medications in children under 2 years of age.
- Repeat dose every 6 hours as needed.
- Children’s Benadryl Fastmelts: Each fastmelt tablet contains the equivalent of 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine, dosed the same as chewable tablets.
- Risk of side effects: May cause drowsiness or paradoxical excitation. Use caution when driving or operating heavy machinery after dosing due to potential for sedation and decreased alertness. This is especially relevant for teen drivers.
- Source: HealthyChildren.org