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Sodium Limit Calculator

Work out sodium limit instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Sodium Limit Calculator

Compares current sodium intake with the chosen target and converts both into salt equivalents using the 2.542 factor.

Formula

Sodium and salt

Salt (g) = sodium (mg) x 2.542 / 1000; the WHO target of 2,000 mg sodium equals about 5 g of salt

Worked example

With the default values below, Sodium Limit Calculator returns Sodium target of 2,000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Targetone of WHO 2,000 mg sodium, US 2,300 mg upper limit, Ideal 1,500 mg for blood pressure
WHO 2,000 mg sodium
Current sodium intakeaccepts 0–10,000 mg
3,400 mg

Results

Sodium target
2,000 mg/day
Reduction needed
1,400 mg/day
Target expressed as salt
5.084 g/day
Current intake as salt
8.643 g/day

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Sodium and salt
  3. 3Sodium target= 2,000 mg/day
  4. 4Reduction needed= 1,400 mg/day
  5. 5Target expressed as salt= 5.084 g/day
  6. 6Current intake as salt= 8.643 g/day

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 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 3 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

Where does most sodium come from?

Processed and restaurant food, typically 70 to 80% of intake, rather than the salt cellar.

How much does reduction lower blood pressure?

Cutting sodium by about 1,700 mg a day lowers systolic pressure by roughly 4 to 5 mmHg in hypertensive adults.

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