Calculate safe amoxicillin doses for children based on age, weight, and medical indication. Includes liquid suspension volume guidance for common formulations.
Calculation completed successfully! See your results below.
Please enter valid values and try again.
Daily Dose Range
0 - 0 mg/day
Total amoxicillin per day based on indication
Per Dose Range
0 - 0 mg/dose
Amount per administration
Patient Weight
0.0 kg
Weight used for calculation
๐งช Liquid Suspension Volumes Per Dose
Concentration
Min Volume (mL)
Max Volume (mL)
Always use the appropriate measuring device (oral syringe, dosing cup) for accurate dosing.
๐ Step-by-Step Calculation
๐ถ
Pediatric-Focused
Age and weight-based dosing specifically designed for children ages 3 months to 12 years.
๐ฉบ
Multiple Indications
Supports standard, high-dose, otitis media, and Group A strep dosing protocols.
๐ง
Suspension Volumes
Shows exact mL volumes for 125mg/5mL, 200mg/5mL, 250mg/5mL, and 400mg/5mL suspensions.
โ๏ธ
Weight Conversion
Enter weight in kg or lbs with automatic conversion for accurate dosing calculations.
What is the Amoxicillin Pediatric Dosage Calculator?
The Amoxicillin Pediatric Dosage Calculator is a clinical tool designed to help healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and caregivers calculate safe and effective amoxicillin doses for children. Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for pediatric patients, used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections including otitis media (ear infections), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), pneumonia, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections.
Pediatric dosing is critically important because children metabolize medications differently than adults. Dosing based on weight (mg/kg) ensures each child receives an appropriate amount โ enough to be effective against the infection but not so much as to cause toxicity. This calculator supports the most common amoxicillin dosing protocols used in clinical practice.
Common Indications and Dosing Guidelines
Standard Dose (20-40 mg/kg/day): For mild to moderate infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated UTIs. Divided into 2-3 doses daily.
High Dose (40-90 mg/kg/day): For severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms. Divided into 2-3 doses daily.
Otitis Media (80-90 mg/kg/day): Higher dosing for middle ear infections, divided into 2 doses daily (BID).
Group A Strep Pharyngitis (50 mg/kg/day): For strep throat, given once daily or divided BID, with a maximum of 1 gram per day.
How to Use the Amoxicillin Pediatric Dosage Calculator
Using this calculator is simple and follows four easy steps:
1๏ธโฃ Enter Patient Details
Enter the child's age (in months or years) and weight. Select the weight unit โ kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs). The calculator automatically converts lbs to kg.
2๏ธโฃ Select Indication
Choose the appropriate indication or infection severity from the dropdown. Each option has a specific mg/kg/day dosing range based on clinical guidelines.
3๏ธโฃ Choose Frequency
Select how many doses per day โ once daily, twice daily (BID), or three times daily (TID). The recommended frequency varies by indication.
4๏ธโฃ Calculate & Review
Click "Calculate Amoxicillin Dose" to see the daily and per-dose ranges, plus suspension volumes for all common concentrations.
Example Calculation
๐ฉบ Example: Otitis Media in a 2-Year-Old
A 2-year-old child weighing 12 kg (26.5 lbs) presents with acute otitis media. The recommended dosing is 80-90 mg/kg/day divided into 2 doses (BID).
Daily dose range: 12 kg ร 80 mg/kg = 960 mg/day (min) to 12 kg ร 90 mg/kg = 1080 mg/day (max)
Per dose (BID): 960 รท 2 = 480 mg/dose to 1080 รท 2 = 540 mg/dose
Using 250 mg/5 mL suspension: 480 mg รท (250/5) = 9.6 mL to 540 รท 50 = 10.8 mL per dose
Always confirm the final dose with a healthcare provider and use the provided measuring device.
Amoxicillin Dosing Formulas
Daily Dose (mg/day) = Weight (kg) ร Dosage per kg (mg/kg/day)
Multiply the child's weight in kilograms by the recommended mg/kg/day range for the selected indication.
Per Dose (mg/dose) = Daily Dose (mg/day) รท Number of Doses Per Day
Divide the total daily dose by the frequency (once, twice, or three times daily) to get the amount per administration.
Suspension Volume (mL) = Per Dose (mg) รท Concentration (mg/mL)
Divide the per-dose amount in mg by the suspension concentration (e.g., 250 mg/5 mL = 50 mg/mL) to get the volume in mL.
Common Amoxicillin Suspension Concentrations
Concentration
mg per mL
Typical Use
125 mg / 5 mL
25 mg/mL
Standard pediatric suspension
200 mg / 5 mL
40 mg/mL
Higher strength for older children
250 mg / 5 mL
50 mg/mL
Common high-strength suspension
400 mg / 5 mL
80 mg/mL
Concentrated for larger doses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical amoxicillin dose for a child?
The typical amoxicillin dose for children depends on the indication and the child's weight. For mild to moderate infections, the standard dose is 20-40 mg/kg/day divided into 2-3 doses. For otitis media (ear infections), higher dosing of 80-90 mg/kg/day is recommended. For Group A strep pharyngitis, 50 mg/kg/day (max 1 gram) is used. Always consult a healthcare provider for the correct indication-specific dosing.
How do I convert pounds to kilograms for dosing?
To convert pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg), divide the weight in pounds by 2.20462. For example, a child weighing 30 lbs converts to approximately 13.6 kg. Our calculator automatically performs this conversion when you select "lbs" as the weight unit. Accurate weight is critical for safe pediatric dosing โ always use the child's most recent weight measurement.
What are the available liquid suspension concentrations?
Amoxicillin oral suspension is commonly available in four concentrations: 125 mg/5 mL (25 mg/mL), 200 mg/5 mL (40 mg/mL), 250 mg/5 mL (50 mg/mL), and 400 mg/5 mL (80 mg/mL). The calculator shows the exact volume in mL for each concentration based on the calculated per-dose amount. Use the concentration that your pharmacy provides or that your healthcare provider prescribes.
What is the maximum daily dose of amoxicillin for children?
The maximum recommended daily dose of amoxicillin varies by indication: for standard infections, the max is typically 40 mg/kg/day; for high-dose indications, up to 90 mg/kg/day is used; and for Group A strep pharyngitis, the absolute maximum is 1000 mg (1 gram) per day. Always follow your healthcare provider's prescribed dosing regimen.
Can I use this calculator for amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)?
No. This calculator is designed specifically for amoxicillin alone. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) has different dosing guidelines because the clavulanate component has its own maximum dose (typically 10 mg/kg/day of clavulanic acid). Dosing for amoxicillin-clavulanate is usually based on the amoxicillin component but at different ratios (e.g., 4:1, 7:1, or 14:1 formulations). Always use a dedicated calculator or consult a pharmacist for Augmentin dosing.
At what age can children take amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin can be used in infants as young as 3 months of age and older, provided they have a confirmed bacterial infection requiring treatment. For neonates (newborns under 1 month), dosing is different and requires specialized neonatal dosing guidelines. Always consult a pediatrician before administering any antibiotic to a child, and never use amoxicillin for viral infections (colds, flu) as it is ineffective against viruses.
โ ๏ธ Important Medical Disclaimer: This Amoxicillin Pediatric Dosage Calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical training, clinical judgment, or independent verification. Always verify all dosage calculations with standard reference materials and consult a qualified healthcare provider, pharmacist, or drug reference before administering any medication. Never base clinical decisions solely on the results from this calculator. Antibiotic dosing must be confirmed by a licensed prescriber.