Broselow Tape Estimator
Enter a child's length in cm or inches to see the 2017 Broselow color zone (gray to green, 3–36 kg) and its weight band, with PALS weight-based doses and defibrillation energies for that band — for training and study only, never in place of the physical tape.
The Broselow tape converts a child's length into a color zone with an estimated weight: gray 3–5 kg, pink 6–7 kg, red 8–9 kg, purple 10–11 kg, yellow 12–14 kg, white 15–18 kg, blue 19–23 kg, orange 24–29 kg and green 30–36 kg (2017 edition, about 47–143 cm).
Use the Broselow Tape Estimator
Child Length / Height
Training workflow: measure supine, crown to heel. Do not delay emergency care to use this page.
Educational Reference Only
The Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape is a registered medical device. This tool is for educational and training reference only. It is not a substitute for clinical judgment or the actual device. Never use this tool alone for drug dosing in a real patient.
Calculations stay in this browser. The measurement field is masked from session recording; do not enter a name, identifier, or other patient information.
Enter the child's length above to identify the Broselow color zone.
Broselow Color Zone
Est. Weight Range
Midpoint Weight
PALS weight-based reference for this zone
Not medical advice — training only. Values are standard per-kg doses from the 2020 AHA PALS guidelines multiplied across the zone's weight band. In a real patient use the physical tape, your protocol and a clinician, and verify every dose.
| Drug / therapy | Per kg | Zone range |
|---|
Equipment Verification Required
All Color Zones
Clinical Disclaimer
Results are estimates based on publicly available Broselow tape color zone data for educational reference only. The actual Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape is a registered medical device. Always use the physical device and apply clinical judgment in real emergency situations. Drug dosing must be verified by a licensed clinician.
Published 2017 Color-Zone Reference
Use this comparison table for education and simulation only. Bounds and clinical content can differ by tape edition; it is not a replacement for a current physical device.
| Zone | Length (cm) | Length (in) | Estimated band (kg) | Estimated band (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray | 46.8–59.2 | 18.43–23.31 | 3–5 | 6.6–11.0 |
| Pink | 59.2–66.9 | 23.31–26.34 | 6–7 | 13.2–15.4 |
| Red | 66.9–74.2 | 26.34–29.21 | 8–9 | 17.6–19.8 |
| Purple | 74.2–83.8 | 29.21–32.99 | 10–11 | 22.0–24.3 |
| Yellow | 83.8–95.4 | 32.99–37.56 | 12–14 | 26.5–30.9 |
| White | 95.4–108.3 | 37.56–42.64 | 15–18 | 33.1–39.7 |
| Blue | 108.3–121.5 | 42.64–47.83 | 19–23 | 41.9–50.7 |
| Orange | 121.5–130.7 | 47.83–51.46 | 24–29 | 52.9–63.9 |
| Green | 130.7–143.3 | 51.46–56.42 | 30–36 | 66.1–79.4 |
Broselow zones with PALS weight-based doses
Not medical advice. For education and simulation only. Ranges multiply the 2020 AHA PALS per-kg doses by each zone's lowest and highest weight; the physical tape prints precalculated doses for its own zone weight, and real dosing needs a verified weight, local protocol and clinician oversight.
| Zone | Weight | Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg | Amiodarone 5 mg/kg | 1st shock 2 J/kg | 2nd shock 4 J/kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray | 3–5 kg | 0.03–0.05 mg | 15–25 mg | 6–10 J | 12–20 J |
| Pink | 6–7 kg | 0.06–0.07 mg | 30–35 mg | 12–14 J | 24–28 J |
| Red | 8–9 kg | 0.08–0.09 mg | 40–45 mg | 16–18 J | 32–36 J |
| Purple | 10–11 kg | 0.10–0.11 mg | 50–55 mg | 20–22 J | 40–44 J |
| Yellow | 12–14 kg | 0.12–0.14 mg | 60–70 mg | 24–28 J | 48–56 J |
| White | 15–18 kg | 0.15–0.18 mg | 75–90 mg | 30–36 J | 60–72 J |
| Blue | 19–23 kg | 0.19–0.23 mg | 95–115 mg | 38–46 J | 76–92 J |
| Orange | 24–29 kg | 0.24–0.29 mg | 120–145 mg | 48–58 J | 96–116 J |
| Green | 30–36 kg | 0.30–0.36 mg | 150–180 mg | 60–72 J | 120–144 J |
PALS per-kg doses used
| Drug / therapy | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Epinephrine IV/IO | 0.01 mg/kg | Cardiac arrest or bradycardia; 0.1 mL/kg of 0.1 mg/mL; repeat every 3–5 min; max 1 mg |
| Amiodarone IV/IO | 5 mg/kg | VF/pulseless VT bolus; may repeat up to 3 total doses; max 300 mg per dose |
| Lidocaine IV/IO | 1 mg/kg | VF/pulseless VT loading dose (alternative to amiodarone) |
| Adenosine, 1st dose | 0.1 mg/kg | SVT; rapid push with flush; max 6 mg |
| Adenosine, 2nd dose | 0.2 mg/kg | SVT; max 12 mg |
| Atropine IV/IO | 0.02 mg/kg | Bradycardia from vagal tone or AV block; may repeat once; min 0.1 mg, max single dose 0.5 mg |
| Defibrillation, 1st shock | 2 J/kg | VF/pulseless VT |
| Defibrillation, 2nd shock | 4 J/kg | Later shocks ≥4 J/kg, up to 10 J/kg or the adult dose |
| Synchronized cardioversion | 0.5–1 J/kg | Unstable SVT/VT with a pulse; increase to 2 J/kg if not effective |
| Fluid bolus (isotonic crystalloid) | 10–20 mL/kg | Shock; reassess after each bolus |
| Dextrose (documented hypoglycemia) | 0.5–1 g/kg | For example D10W 5–10 mL/kg |
Sources: Topjian AA et al. Part 4: Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support, 2020 AHA Guidelines, Circulation 2020;142(suppl 2):S469–S523; MSD Manual Professional, Medications Commonly Used for Resuscitation. Equipment sizes (tubes, blades, airways, catheters) are not reproduced because they differ between tape editions — read them from the physical tape.
Quick answer
The Broselow tape converts a child's length into a color zone with an estimated weight: gray 3–5 kg, pink 6–7 kg, red 8–9 kg, purple 10–11 kg, yellow 12–14 kg, white 15–18 kg, blue 19–23 kg, orange 24–29 kg and green 30–36 kg (2017 edition, about 47–143 cm). Each zone on the physical tape lists precalculated drug doses and equipment sizes for that weight. Standard PALS weight-based doses include epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (max 1 mg), amiodarone 5 mg/kg (max 300 mg) and a first defibrillation shock of 2 J/kg. This page is for education only: in a real emergency use the physical tape, your protocol and clinical judgment.
Examples
| Zone | Length (cm) | Weight (kg) | Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray | 46.8–59.2 | 3–5 | 0.03–0.05 mg |
| Pink | 59.2–66.9 | 6–7 | 0.06–0.07 mg |
| Red | 66.9–74.2 | 8–9 | 0.08–0.09 mg |
| Purple | 74.2–83.8 | 10–11 | 0.10–0.11 mg |
| Yellow | 83.8–95.4 | 12–14 | 0.12–0.14 mg |
| White | 95.4–108.3 | 15–18 | 0.15–0.18 mg |
| Blue | 108.3–121.5 | 19–23 | 0.19–0.23 mg |
| Orange | 121.5–130.7 | 24–29 | 0.24–0.29 mg |
| Green | 130.7–143.3 | 30–36 | 0.30–0.36 mg |
Not medical advice. Enter a length above to see the zone and the PALS reference values for its weight band.
Summary
The Broselow-Luten tape is a registered length-based pediatric emergency device: measure the child from crown to heel, read the color zone, and use the drug doses and equipment sizes printed in that zone. This educational helper reproduces the published 2017 length and weight zones (gray 3–5 kg to green 30–36 kg) and, for each weight band, the standard weight-based doses from the 2020 American Heart Association PALS guidelines — epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, adenosine, atropine, defibrillation and cardioversion energy, fluid bolus and dextrose. Equipment sizes are not reproduced, because they changed between tape editions and the current chart is printed on the device. Nothing here is medical advice; real care follows the physical tape, the local protocol and a clinician.
How it works
- Enter the child's measured length (crown to heel, lying flat) in centimeters or inches.
- The tool maps the length to the 2017 Broselow color zone and shows its weight band in kg and lb.
- The PALS reference card multiplies standard per-kg doses by the band's lower and upper weight, applying the guideline maximums.
- Compare with the zone chart below, which lists every color with its length, weight and key doses.
- For a real patient, stop here: use the physical tape or your institution's validated system and clinical judgment.
Use cases
- PALS and pediatric emergency training and simulation scenarios.
- EMS and paramedic education on length-based weight estimation.
- Nursing and pharmacy students checking weight-based dose math.
- Reviewing what each Broselow color zone means before a course.
- Building case-based teaching materials for pediatric resuscitation.