Electrolyte Infusion Rate Calculator

Work out electrolyte infusion rate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Electrolyte Infusion Rate Calculator

Converts a total electrolyte requirement into an hourly delivery rate and the pump rate needed at the chosen solution concentration.

Formula

Electrolyte infusion

Volume (mL) = total mmol / concentration (mmol/L) x 1000; mmol/h = total mmol / hours; mL/h = volume / hours

Worked example

With the default values below, Electrolyte Infusion Rate Calculator returns Electrolyte delivered of 5.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Total electrolyte to infuseaccepts 1–500 mmol: 40 mmol
Infusion periodaccepts 0.5–48 h: 8 h
Solution concentrationaccepts 1–300 mmol/L: 40 mmol/L

Results

Electrolyte delivered: 5.00 mmol/h
Pump rate: 125.0 mL/h
Total volume infused: 1,000 mL
Concentration: 40.0 mmol/L

Step by step

1Values used
2Electrolyte infusion
3Electrolyte delivered= 5.00 mmol/h
4Pump rate= 125.0 mL/h
5Total volume infused= 1,000 mL
6Concentration= 40.0 mmol/L

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or fees or charges into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do concentration limits exist?

Peripheral veins tolerate limited osmolarity, and concentrated potassium is cardiotoxic if delivered too fast.

Does the diluent matter?

Yes. Calcium and phosphate precipitate together, and bicarbonate is incompatible with calcium-containing fluids.