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Lung Compliance Calculator

Work out lung compliance instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Lung Compliance Calculator

Divides tidal volume by driving pressure (plateau minus PEEP) to give static respiratory system compliance.

Formula

Static compliance

Cstat = tidal volume / (plateau pressure - PEEP)

Worked example

With the default values below, Lung Compliance Calculator returns Static compliance of 25.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Tidal volumeaccepts 50–1,200 mL
500 mL
Plateau pressureaccepts 5–60 cmH2O
25 cmH2O
PEEPaccepts 0–30 cmH2O
5 cmH2O

Results

Static compliance
25.0 mL/cmH2O
Driving pressure
20.0 cmH2O
Interpretation
Markedly reduced compliance

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Static compliance
  3. 3Static compliance= 25.0 mL/cmH2O
  4. 4Driving pressure= 20.0 cmH2O
  5. 5Interpretation= Markedly reduced compliance

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, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, 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.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

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

What is a normal value?

50 to 100 mL/cmH2O in a passively ventilated adult; ARDS often drops below 40.

Why does driving pressure matter?

Driving pressure above about 15 cmH2O is associated with worse outcomes in ARDS independently of tidal volume.

Related Calculators

Lung Compliance Calculator – Calculate Static compliance