Correct dose by weight — Australian brands and concentrations.
⚠️
Medical information — guide only
This calculator provides general dosing guidance only based on the 15 mg/kg standard dose.
Always consult a pharmacist or doctor before giving any medication to your child,
particularly for children under 2 years, children with existing health conditions, or if your child is
already taking other medicines. Do not give paracetamol with other products containing paracetamol.
Please enter a valid weight between 3 kg and 60 kg.
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⚠️ Guide only. Verify all doses with a pharmacist or doctor before administering.
Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. Do not give with other paracetamol-containing medicines.
If unsure, call the Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26.
Recommended single dose
— mg
at 15 mg per kg body weight
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About this Australian paracetamol dose calculator
Paracetamol is the most commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer for Australian children. The
standard recommended dose is 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per dose, which
is the midpoint of the 10–15 mg/kg therapeutic range. This calculator shows the dose for the
two most common paracetamol concentrations available in Australian pharmacies and supermarkets:
120 mg/5 ml (products for younger children including Panadol Children's
1–5 Years and Chemist Warehouse Children's Paracetamol) and 250 mg/5 ml
(products for older children such as Panadol Children's 5–12 Years). Always use the measuring
device supplied with the product — not a kitchen teaspoon.
Paracetamol dosing table — by weight
Weight
Dose (15 mg/kg)
120 mg/5 ml (1–5 yrs)
250 mg/5 ml (5–12 yrs)
5–6 kg
75–90 mg
3.0–3.5 ml
—
7–8 kg
105–120 mg
4.5–5.0 ml
2.0–2.5 ml
9–10 kg
135–150 mg
5.5–6.0 ml
2.5–3.0 ml
11–13 kg
165–195 mg
7.0–8.0 ml
3.5–4.0 ml
14–16 kg
210–240 mg
8.5–10.0 ml
4.0–5.0 ml
17–20 kg
255–300 mg
10.5–12.5 ml
5.0–6.0 ml
21–25 kg
315–375 mg
—
6.5–7.5 ml
26–30 kg
390–450 mg
—
8.0–9.0 ml
31–40 kg
465–600 mg
—
9.5–12.0 ml
41–60 kg
615–900 mg
—
See product label / adult
This table is a guide only. Maximum single dose: 1000 mg. Maximum 4 doses in 24 hours. Always read the product label and consult a pharmacist if unsure.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard recommended dose for children in Australia is 15 mg of paracetamol per kilogram of body weight per dose, within the 10–15 mg/kg therapeutic range. For example, a 20 kg child would receive 300 mg (6 ml of a 250 mg/5 ml suspension). The maximum single dose is 1000 mg, and no more than 4 doses should be given in a 24-hour period. Doses should be spaced at least 4 hours apart. Always consult a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, and always read the product's consumer medicine information.
Paracetamol can be given every 4–6 hours as needed, but no more than 4 doses in any 24-hour period. This applies to all Australian paracetamol products for children. It is important to leave at least 4 hours between doses. If your child still has fever or pain after 48 hours of regular dosing, consult a doctor. Do not give paracetamol continuously for more than 3 days without medical advice.
The main difference is the paracetamol concentration. Panadol Children's 1–5 Years contains 120 mg of paracetamol per 5 ml, while Panadol Children's 5–12 Years (also sold as Panadol Junior or Panadol Elixir) contains 250 mg per 5 ml. The higher-concentration product is used for older, heavier children because the volume needed for a smaller dose would be impractically large. Chemist Warehouse Children's Paracetamol and many generic pharmacy-brand products follow the same concentrations. Always check the label of the specific product you have.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen work differently and can generally be used together in children when one medication alone is not providing adequate pain or fever relief — this is sometimes called alternating or combination analgesia. They can be given simultaneously or staggered. However, this should only be done on advice from a pharmacist or doctor, particularly for children under 3 months, children with kidney conditions, or when the fever is associated with dehydration. Never give ibuprofen to children under 3 months of age. Do not give ibuprofen to children with chickenpox.
Call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week across Australia). Do not wait for symptoms to appear — paracetamol overdose can cause serious liver damage that may not be apparent for 24–48 hours. If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having a seizure, call 000 immediately. Take the medicine container with you if you go to hospital so medical staff can see exactly what was taken and the concentration.