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Minute Ventilation Calculator

Work out minute ventilation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Minute Ventilation Calculator

Multiplies tidal volume by respiratory rate for total minute ventilation, and subtracts dead space to give the alveolar share that takes part in gas exchange.

Formula

Minute ventilation

MV (L/min) = tidal volume (mL) x rate / 1000; alveolar ventilation = (tidal volume - dead space) x rate / 1000

Worked example

With the default values below, Minute Ventilation Calculator returns Minute ventilation of 7.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Tidal volumeaccepts 50–1,200 mL
500 mL
Respiratory rateaccepts 4–60 breaths/min
14 breaths/min
Anatomical dead spaceaccepts 20–400 mL
150 mL

Results

Minute ventilation
7.00 L/min
Alveolar ventilation
4.90 L/min
Dead space ventilation
2.10 L/min

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Minute ventilation
  3. 3Minute ventilation= 7.00 L/min
  4. 4Alveolar ventilation= 4.90 L/min
  5. 5Dead space ventilation= 2.10 L/min

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 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.
  • 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 minute ventilation?

Around 5 to 8 L/min in a resting adult.

How is dead space estimated?

About 2 mL per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 150 mL in an average adult.

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Minute Ventilation Calculator – Calculate Minute ventilation