What is the mcg/kg/min to mL/hr formula?

mL/hr = (Dose in mcg/kg/min × Weight in kg × 60) ÷ (Concentration in mg/mL × 1000). The ×60 converts minutes to hours; the ÷1000 converts mcg to mg to match concentration units.

How do I find the concentration from a standard bag?

Divide the total drug mass (mg) by the bag volume (mL). For example, 400 mg dopamine in 250 mL saline gives 1.6 mg/mL. Enter that value directly, or use the bag fields and the calculator computes it for you.

Can I use this for norepinephrine (noradrenaline)?

Yes. The formula is the same regardless of the vasoactive drug. Enter the concentration as mixed (e.g. 4 mg in 250 mL = 0.016 mg/mL), patient weight, and ordered dose (commonly 0.01–3 mcg/kg/min for norepinephrine) to get mL/hr.

What if the dose is ordered in mcg/min (not per kg)?

Divide the ordered mcg/min dose by patient weight in kg to convert to mcg/kg/min, then enter that value. Alternatively, set weight to 1 kg and enter the flat mcg/min dose — the mL/hr result is the same.

Why does the calculator ask for weight?

Vasoactive drugs are dosed per kilogram of body weight so that a given number of mcg/kg/min delivers a proportional pharmacological effect regardless of patient size. The pump rate in mL/hr scales linearly with weight.

How accurate is this calculator?

Results are mathematically exact to the inputs you provide. Always verify against your institution's drug reference and pharmacy label. This tool is a double-check aid, not a replacement for clinical pharmacy verification.

mcg/kg/min Drip Rate Calculator

Name: mcg/kg/min Drip Rate Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter drug concentration, patient weight, and target dose in mcg/kg/min to get the pump rate in mL/hr — or reverse-calculate dose from a known pump rate.

Inputs

Mode

Enter dose (mcg/kg/min) to calculate pump rate (mL/hr).

Drug Concentration

mg/mL

Patient Weight

Ordered Dose

mcg/kg/min

Fill in the inputs to see results.

Pump Rate

mL/hr

Step-by-step calculation

Rate table — same patient & concentration

Pump rate (mL/hr) for common doses at this weight and concentration.

Dose (mcg/kg/min)	Rate (mL/hr)	mg/hr

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Summary

Enter drug concentration, patient weight, and target dose in mcg/kg/min to get the pump rate in mL/hr — or reverse-calculate dose from a known pump rate.

How it works

Select the direction: Dose → Rate or Rate → Dose.
Enter the drug concentration as mg/mL, or enter bag volume and total drug in mg to have it computed.
Enter patient weight in kg or lb (lb are converted automatically).
For Dose → Rate: enter the ordered dose in mcg/kg/min to get the pump rate in mL/hr.
For Rate → Dose: enter the current pump rate in mL/hr to see the dose in mcg/kg/min.
Results update instantly — no button press required.

Use cases

Set a dopamine or dobutamine drip rate for a patient in cardiogenic shock.
Verify a norepinephrine infusion rate against an ordered mcg/kg/min dose.
Back-calculate the actual dose a patient is receiving from a running pump rate.
Cross-check pharmacy-mixed bag concentration against bedside pump settings.
Teach nursing students the mcg/kg/min-to-mL/hr conversion formula.
Quickly adjust infusion rate when the physician changes the ordered dose.
Convert between mg/hr and mcg/kg/min for medication reconciliation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-24 · Reviewed by Nham Vu