Calculate intravenous infusion flow rate in millilitres per hour and drops per minute.
Flow rate in millilitres per hour is used for pumps while drops per minute is used for gravity sets. The drop factor is printed on the giving set packaging and differs between standard and microdrip sets. Using the wrong drop factor changes the delivered rate threefold, which is why the giving set must be confirmed rather than assumed.
IV Flow Rate
Drops per minute = volume × drop factor ÷ duration in minutes
This performs arithmetic on figures you supply and does not recommend any drug, dose or route. Medication errors can cause serious harm or death. Always verify every calculation independently, confirm against the prescription and product literature, and follow your institution's double-check procedures. Never self-medicate or alter a prescribed dose.
Drops per minute = volume × drop factor ÷ duration in minutes Flow rate in millilitres per hour is used for pumps while drops per minute is used for gravity sets. The drop factor is printed on the giving set packaging and differs between standard and microdrip sets.
Using the wrong drop factor changes the delivered rate threefold, which is why the giving set must be confirmed rather than assumed.
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Volume to infuse, Infusion duration, Drop factor. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.