Many medications are dosed per kilogram of body weight. Multiply the dose per kg by the patient’s weight for the total dose — the foundational weight-based dosing calculation.
The example
5 mg/kg, 70 kg patient.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | Dose 5 mg/kg | — |
| 3 | Weight 70 kg | → 350 mg |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Multiply the dose per kg by the patient’s weight in kg for the total dose.
- Convert pounds to kg first if needed:
weight_lb / 2.205. - To find the volume to give:
total_dose / concentration(mg ÷ mg/mL). - Divide a daily dose by the number of doses per day for each administration.
Educational use only. These are general Excel formulas for learning spreadsheet techniques — not medical advice or a substitute for clinical judgment, professional guidelines, or verified dosing references. Always confirm calculations against authoritative sources and institutional protocols.
Try it: interactive demo
Dose per kg, weight, concentration.
Variations
Pounds to kg first
Convert weight:
Volume to administer
Dose ÷ concentration:
Per-dose amount
Split a daily dose:
Pitfalls & errors
Weight in kg. Convert pounds (÷2.205) before multiplying by mg/kg.
Check a max dose. Many drugs cap regardless of weight — clamp with MIN where appropriate.
Units throughout. mg, mg/kg, mg/mL must stay consistent.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a weight-based dose in Excel?
How do I convert pounds to kilograms for dosing?
How do I find the volume to administer?
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