How do you calculate gtt/min from mL/hr?

The formula is: (Volume in mL × Drop Factor) / (Time in minutes) = Drops per minute (gtt/min).

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IV Infusion Rate Calculator

Determine the correct intravenous (IV) infusion rate in ml/hour or drops/minute for precise fluid and medication administration.

Accurate intravenous fluid administration is a fundamental skill in nursing and emergency medicine. Whether you are rehydrating a dehydrated patient or delivering life-saving medication via a continuous drip, the rate of infusion must be precisely controlled. While electronic infusion pumps are common in modern hospitals, many clinical settings and emergency situations require 'gravity drips,' where the rate is controlled by counting drops per minute. Our IV Infusion Rate Calculator handles both scenarios, providing the required mL per hour for pumps and the drops per minute (gtt/min) for manual sets, adjusted for your specific equipment's drop factor.

Total volume (mL) (mL)

Time (hours) (hours)

Drop factor (gtt/mL) (gtt/mL)

Common: 10, 15, 20, 60 (microdrip)

Primary output

Result

125mL/hr

Infusion Rate: 125 mL/hr (41.7 gtt/min)

Total volume (mL)500 mL

Time (hours)4 hours

Drop factor (gtt/mL)20 gtt/mL

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Hoe het werkt

The tool first calculates the hourly rate (Volume / Hours). It then converts the total time to minutes and uses the equipment's drop factor to calculate how many physical drops must fall each minute to achieve the desired total volume within the specified timeframe.

Berekeningsformule

gtt/min = (Volume [mL] × Drop Factor) / Time [min]

Calculation Examples

1. **Large Volume**: 1000mL of saline over 8 hours using a 15 gtt/mL set. Result: **125 mL/hr** or **31 gtt/min**. 2. **Antibiotic**: 100mL over 30 minutes (0.5 hours) using a 20 gtt/mL set. Result: **200 mL/hr** or **67 gtt/min**.

Why use this tool in your daily life?

Consistency is king in fluid therapy. This service eliminates the mental load of time-unit conversions and equipment-specific math, allowing nurses and paramedics to focus on patient monitoring rather than arithmetic.