Steroid Equivalent Dose Calculator

Work out steroid equivalent dose instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Steroid Equivalent Dose Calculator

Converts between glucocorticoids using the standard anti-inflammatory equivalence table, with prednisolone shown as a common reference.

Formula

Glucocorticoid equivalence

Equal anti-inflammatory doses: hydrocortisone 20 mg = prednisolone 5 mg = methylprednisolone 4 mg = dexamethasone 0.75 mg = betamethasone 0.6 mg

Worked example

With the default values below, Steroid Equivalent Dose Calculator returns Equivalent dose of 6.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Current steroidone of Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Prednisone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone, Betamethasone: Prednisolone
Current doseaccepts 0.1–2,000 mg: 40 mg
Convert toone of Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Prednisone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone, Betamethasone: Dexamethasone

Results

Equivalent dose: 6.00 mg
Prednisolone equivalent: 40.00 mg
Conversion ratio: 0.150

Step by step

1Values used
2Glucocorticoid equivalence
3Equivalent dose= 6.00 mg
4Prednisolone equivalent= 40.00 mg
5Conversion ratio= 0.150

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 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

Does equivalence cover mineralocorticoid effect?

No. The table matches anti-inflammatory potency only; hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone differ markedly in salt retention.

Do durations of action match?

No. Dexamethasone acts far longer than hydrocortisone, so dosing frequency changes with the switch.