{"id":28952,"date":"2017-04-19T13:42:13","date_gmt":"2017-04-19T13:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=28952"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:55:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:55:29","slug":"calculations-of-drip-rates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/calculations-of-drip-rates\/","title":{"rendered":"Calculating IV Drip Rates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_5ve9cHibdMk\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_5ve9cHibdMk\" data-source-videoID=\"5ve9cHibdMk\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Calculating IV Drip Rates Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Calculating IV Drip Rates\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_5ve9cHibdMk:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_5ve9cHibdMk {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/3-thumb-final-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_5ve9cHibdMk\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_5ve9cHibdMk\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Calculating IV Drip Rates\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_5ve9cHibdMk\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_5ve9cHibdMk\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_5ve9cHibdMk\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction pgq_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"pgq\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"pgq_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"pgq\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Types_of_IV_Tubing_and_Drop_Factors\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Types of IV Tubing and Drop Factors<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Calculating_IV_Drip_Rates\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Calculating IV Drip Rates<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Examples_of_IV_Drip_Rate_Calculations\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Examples of IV Drip Rate Calculations<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Using_IV_Infusion_Pumps\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Using IV Infusion Pumps<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Monitoring_Infusion_Accuracy\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Monitoring Infusion Accuracy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#How_to_Calculate_Drip_Rate_(Formula_Examples)_PDF\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">How to Calculate Drip Rate (Formula &#038; Examples) PDF<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label><input id=\"factsheet\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"factsheet\">Fact Sheet<\/label><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/iv-drip-rate-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"margin: 0 auto;\"><span class=\"accordion_calculator_button\">Calculator<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Welcome to this video on <strong>calculating IV drip rates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>When you have an order for an IV infusion, it is the nurse\u2019s responsibility to make sure the fluid will infuse at the prescribed rate. IV fluids may be infused by gravity using a manual roller clamp or dial-a-flow, or infused using an infusion pump. Regardless of the method, it is important to know how to calculate the correct IV drip rate.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Types_of_IV_Tubing_and_Drop_Factors\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Types of IV Tubing and Drop Factors<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen calculating the drip rate, first identify which IV tubing you will be using, microdrip or macrodrip, so you can use the proper drop factor in your calculations. The drop factor is the number of drops in one mL of solution and is printed on the IV tubing package. <\/p>\n<p>Macrodrip and microdrip refers to the diameter of the needle where the drop enters the drip chamber. Macrodrip tubing generally delivers 10 to 20 gtt\/mL and is used to infuse large volumes or to infuse fluids quickly. Microdrip tubing delivers 60 gtt\/mL and is used for small or very precise amounts of fluid, as with neonates or pediatric patients. <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Calculating_IV_Drip_Rates\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Calculating IV Drip Rates<\/h2>\n<p>\nIf you simply need to figure out the infusion rate, or the mL per hour to infuse, take the total volume in mL, divided by the total time in hours that the medication is ordered to be infused over, to equal the rate in mL per hour. For example, if you have 1,000 mL Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours, take 1,000 mL divided by 8 hours, to equal 125 mL\/hr. <\/p>\n<p>To calculate the drip rate, however, the drop factor is needed. The formula for calculating the IV drip rate  is\u2026 total volume (in mL) divided by time (in minutes), multiplied by the drop factor (in gtt\/mL), which equals the IV drip rate in gtt\/min.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Examples_of_IV_Drip_Rate_Calculations\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Examples of IV Drip Rate Calculations<\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Macrodrip_Tubing_Example_Lactated_Ringers\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Macrodrip Tubing Example: Lactated Ringers<\/h3>\n<p>\nLet\u2019s try an example.<\/p>\n<p>The provider has ordered 1,000 mL Lactated Ringers to infuse over 8 hours. You have a macrodrip tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtt\/mL. Calculate how many gtt\/min to set as the IV flow rate. Using the formula, 1,000 mL divided by \\(8\\times 60\\) (since we have 8 hours times 60min\/hr), then multiply by 15 gtt\/min to equal 31.2, rounded to 31 gtt\/min.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Microdrip_Tubing_Example_Small_Volume_Infusion\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Microdrip Tubing Example: Small Volume Infusion<\/h3>\n<p>\nHere\u2019s a tip: When the IV tubing is microdrip, 60 gtt\/mL, the drops per minute will be the same as the mL per hour. For example, you have 500 mL to infuse over 12 hours with a microdrip set. The total volume (500 mL), divided by the total time in hours (12), equals 41.6, rounded to 42 mL per hour. <\/p>\n<p>The drops per minute would be calculated as total volume, divided by time (in minutes), multiplied by the drop factor of 60 gtts\/min, which also equals 41.6, rounded to 42 drops per minute.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"IV_Piggyback_Medication_Example_Ancef\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>IV Piggyback Medication Example: Ancef<\/h3>\n<p>\nLet\u2019s look at an example of an IV piggyback medication.<\/p>\n<p>1 gram of Ancef in 100 mL of normal saline is to be infused over 30 minutes. You have macrodrip tubing with a drop factor of 10 gtt\/mL. Calculate how many gtt\/min to set as the IV drip rate. Use the formula, with 100 mL divided by 30 min, multiplied by 10 gtt\/min, which equals 33.3, rounded to 33 gtt\/min.  <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Using_IV_Infusion_Pumps\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Using IV Infusion Pumps<\/h2>\n<p>\nIf you need to set this up on an IV infusion pump, use the formula, volume (mL) divided by time (min), multiplied by 60 min over 1 hour. This equals the IV flow rate in mL\/hr which is the standard method of setting infusion rates on IV pumps. Using this formula, 100 mL divided by 30 min, times 60 min in 1 hr, equals 199.9, rounded to 200 mL\/hr.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Monitoring_Infusion_Accuracy\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Monitoring Infusion Accuracy<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the infusion has started, monitor the rate closely to be sure it is infusing at the correct rate and check the patient\u2019s IV site for signs of infiltration or inflammation.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s all for this review! Thanks for watching, and happy studying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is an IV drip rate?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>An IV drip rate is a way of describing the rate of an intravenous infusion based on the number of drops (gtt) that are administered to the patient per minute. This is influenced by the type of the tubing (microdrip or macrodrip), the total volume that is required to be infused, and the time over which the infusion is ordered to run.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is an IV drop factor?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>An IV drop factor reflects the specific size of the drops of IV fluid that the tubing set creates. This is a predetermined number based on the tubing required and available to administer the medication. Tubing can be either microdrip or macrodrip.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the difference between a microdrip and macrodrip IV tubing?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Microdrip IV tubing creates extremely small drip sizes for medications that are potent and must be carefully administered and\/or for patient populations that are highly sensitive to large doses of medications (namely, neonatal and pediatric patients). The microdrip drip factor is generally estimated at 60 gtt\/mL.<\/p>\n<p>Macrodrip IV tubing is the more standard tubing type, and has larger drops of fluid than microdrip tubing. The macrodrip drip factor is generally somewhere between 10 and 20 gtt\/mL.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How do you calculate an IV drip rate?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>IV drip rate is calculated by this formula:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\\(\\text{total volume } (mL)\/\\text{time } (min) \\times \\text{ drop factor } (gtt\/mL)\\)<\/p>\n<p>This equation can also be rearranged to calculate the time required for an infusion, when provided the volume to be infused, the drip rate, and the drop factor.<\/p>\n<p>If you need some extra help, try out our <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/iv-drip-rate-calculator\/\">IV drip rate calculator<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"factsheet-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"How_to_Calculate_Drip_Rate_(Formula_Examples)_PDF\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How to Calculate Drip Rate (Formula &#038; Examples) PDF<\/h2>\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1363\" height=\"1768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Infographic titled &quot;Calculating IV Drip Rates&quot; explaining how to infuse fluids using formulas. It includes steps, important conversions, differences between macrodrip and microdrip, and a Mometrix logo.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643.png 1363w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643-231x300.png 231w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643-789x1024.png 789w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643-768x996.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-22_154643-1184x1536.png 1184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1363px) 100vw, 1363px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"sub_categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calculating-IV-Drip-Rates-Fact-Sheet.pdf\"><span id=\"Your_How_to_Calculate_Drip_Rate_PDF_Download\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Your How to Calculate Drip Rate PDF Download<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/patient-care\/\">Return to Patient Care Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Patient Care Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":149824,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-28952","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-patient-care-videos","7":"page_category-pharmacology-videos","8":"page_category-safe-and-effective-care-environment","9":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","10":"page_type-video","11":"content_type-fact-sheet","12":"subject_matter-nursing"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28952"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":280049,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28952\/revisions\/280049"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/149824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}