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Infant Tylenol Dosage Calculator & Chart by Weight
Use this infant Tylenol dosage calculator to find the right amount of acetaminophen for your baby or child by weight, in mL or tablets. It follows the American Academy of Pediatrics dosing chart and shows when the next dose is allowed.
- Based on the AAP chart
- Dose in mL & mg
- Next-dose timer
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dose Calculator
Infants' & Children's 160 mg / 5 mL, chewables and tablets
Enter your child's weight and age, then tap Calculate safe dose.
Key takeaways
- Dose acetaminophen by weight. Infants' liquid (160 mg / 5 mL) is 1.25 mL for 6–11 lb, 2.5 mL for 12–17 lb, 3.75 mL for 18–23 lb and 5 mL for 24–35 lb.
- Give it every 4 hours as needed, and never more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
- Babies under 12 weeks with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher need a doctor right away. Under 2 years, check the dose with your pediatrician.
- Always use the syringe or cup from the box, and check the label says 160 mg / 5 mL.
How to use the infant Tylenol dosage calculator
- Weigh your baby. Use the weight from a recent checkup or weigh yourself holding baby, then subtract your own weight. Enter it in pounds or kilograms.
- Choose your child's age. We use age only for safety warnings, like the extra caution needed for babies under 12 weeks.
- Pick the exact product. Read the front of the box. Infants' and Children's liquid acetaminophen in the US are both 160 mg per 5 mL, but tablets and packets are different.
- Add the time (optional). Enter when you're giving this dose to see the earliest safe times for the next doses.
Check the strength on the box. This chart is for the current US strength of 160 mg / 5 mL. Some older or non-US infant drops were 80 mg / 0.8 mL, which is much stronger. If your bottle says anything other than 160 mg / 5 mL, don't use this chart. Ask your pharmacist.
Infant Tylenol dosage chart by weight
This is the full acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosage chart from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Find your child's weight in the first column. If you don't know their weight, use age, but weight is always more accurate.
| Weight | Age (if weight unknown) | Infants' liquid 160 mg / 5 mL |
Children's liquid 160 mg / 5 mL |
Chewables 160 mg |
Dose (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–11 lb (3–5 kg) | 0–3 months* | 1.25 mL | — | — | 40 mg |
| 12–17 lb (5–7 kg) | 4–11 months* | 2.5 mL | — | — | 80 mg |
| 18–23 lb (8–10 kg) | 12–23 months* | 3.75 mL | — | — | 120 mg |
| 24–35 lb (11–15 kg) | 2–3 years | 5 mL | 5 mL | 1 tablet | 160 mg |
| 36–47 lb (16–21 kg) | 4–5 years | — | 7.5 mL | 1½ tablets | 240 mg |
| 48–59 lb (22–26 kg) | 6–8 years | — | 10 mL | 2 tablets | 320 mg |
| 60–71 lb (27–32 kg) | 9–10 years | — | 12.5 mL | 2½ tablets | 400 mg |
| 72–95 lb (33–43 kg) | 11 years | — | 15 mL | 3 tablets | 480 mg |
| 96 lb+ (44 kg+) | 12 years+ | — | — | — | 650 mg (2 × 325 mg tablets) |
*Under 2 years: give only with your pediatrician's guidance. Under 12 weeks: call your doctor before giving any medicine. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) acetaminophen dosing chart.
How infant Tylenol dosing works
Acetaminophen is dosed by body weight. Pediatric references put a single dose at roughly 10 to 15 mg per kilogram. The AAP chart groups those doses into weight bands so they are easy to measure with the syringe in the box. When your child's weight falls between two bands, this calculator uses the lower band, which is the safer choice.
160 mg / 5 mL liquid → 32 mg in every 1 mL
Example: 14 lb (6.4 kg) → 80 mg → 2.5 mL
Why weight, not age
Two 9-month-olds can differ by 6 lb or more. Dosing by weight keeps the amount in a safe, effective range for your baby.
Every 4 hours
Acetaminophen can be repeated every 4 hours while symptoms last. Never give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
Starts in 30–60 min
Most children feel better within an hour. The goal is comfort, not a "normal" thermometer reading.
Safety tips for giving acetaminophen to babies
- Use the syringe that came with the medicine. Kitchen spoons are not accurate, and syringes from other products may be marked differently.
- Watch for hidden acetaminophen. Many cold and flu products also contain it. The AAP advises against multi-symptom products for children under 6.
- Write down every dose. Note the time and amount, especially when two caregivers share night duty.
- Don't wake a sleeping baby just to give a dose. Rest helps recovery.
- Give it slowly. Aim the syringe toward the inside of the cheek, a little at a time, so baby can swallow.
- Too much given? Call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222 (US), even if your child seems fine. Early symptoms of an overdose can be mild.
When to call the doctor about a fever
Fever is the body's normal way of fighting infection, and treating it is about keeping your child comfortable. Call your pediatrician, or seek care, if:
- Your baby is under 3 months with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. This needs care right away.
- Your child still acts sick after the fever comes down, or seems to be getting worse.
- A fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in an older child.
- The fever rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly at any age.
- Your child has trouble breathing, a stiff neck, a new rash, a seizure, is hard to wake, won't drink, or has fewer wet diapers than usual.
Track wet diapers when baby is sick. Fewer than usual can be an early sign of dehydration. Breathable diapers like Alppi Rash-Free Diapers make it easy to check while keeping feverish skin comfortable.
Infant Tylenol vs. infant Motrin
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) | |
|---|---|---|
| Youngest age | Under 12 weeks only if your doctor says so | 6 months and older |
| How often | Every 4 hours | Every 6 to 8 hours |
| Max per 24 hours | 5 doses | 4 doses |
| Liquid strength (US) | Infants' and Children's: 160 mg / 5 mL | Infants' drops: 50 mg / 1.25 mL. Children's: 100 mg / 5 mL |
| Take with food? | Not needed | Best with food or milk |
For babies 6 months and older, see our Infant Motrin / Ibuprofen Dosage Calculator. Don't alternate or combine the two medicines unless your pediatrician gives you a written plan, because mix-ups are a common cause of dosing errors.
Frequently asked questions
How much infant Tylenol can I give my baby?
It depends on weight. Using the AAP chart for infants' liquid (160 mg / 5 mL): 6–11 lb gets 1.25 mL, 12–17 lb gets 2.5 mL, 18–23 lb gets 3.75 mL, and 24–35 lb gets 5 mL. Give it every 4 hours as needed, no more than 5 doses in 24 hours. For children under 2, confirm the dose with your pediatrician.
Can I give Tylenol to a 2-month-old?
Only if your pediatrician tells you to. A baby under 12 weeks with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs to be seen by a doctor right away, because fever at this age can be a sign of a serious infection. If your doctor approves it, the usual dose for 6–11 lb is 1.25 mL of infants' liquid.
How often can I give my baby Tylenol?
Every 4 hours as needed, with no more than 5 doses in 24 hours. If your child still needs medicine after 24 hours, or the fever keeps coming back, call your pediatrician.
Is infant Tylenol the same as children's Tylenol?
In the US, yes for strength: since 2011 both Infants' and Children's liquid acetaminophen are 160 mg per 5 mL. The difference is the measuring tool. Infants' comes with a small oral syringe, and Children's comes with a dosing cup. Always use the device that came in the box.
How long does it take infant Tylenol to work?
Most babies start to feel better within 30 to 60 minutes, and the effect lasts about 4 hours. The fever may not go all the way down, and that's okay. The goal is to make your baby more comfortable.
What if my baby spits up or vomits the Tylenol?
If your baby spits up right away and you can clearly see most of the dose came back up, call your pediatrician or pharmacist before repeating it. Don't automatically give a second full dose, because it's hard to tell how much was swallowed.
Can I give Tylenol and Motrin together?
Only with a plan from your pediatrician. Alternating the two can lower fever, but it also makes dosing mistakes more likely. Ibuprofen (Motrin) is not for babies under 6 months.
What should I do if I gave too much Tylenol?
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) right away, even if your child seems fine. Acetaminophen overdose can harm the liver, and early symptoms may be mild or delayed. Have the bottle with you when you call.
Can I give my baby Tylenol for teething?
For children 2 and older, an occasional weight-based dose can ease teething pain. Under 2, check with your pediatrician first. Try gentle gum massage or a chilled (not frozen) teether first, and never use teething gels with benzocaine.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Acetaminophen Dosage Table for Fever and Pain
- AAP printable acetaminophen dosing chart (PDF)
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Fever: When to Call the Pediatrician
- AAP (HealthyChildren.org): Using Liquid Medicines
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Acetaminophen
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers)
This calculator is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Always read the product label and confirm doses for children under 2 with your pediatrician or pharmacist. If your child has a medical condition, takes other medicines, or seems very unwell, call your doctor. In an emergency call 911. Tylenol® is a registered trademark of its owner. Alppi Baby is not affiliated with or endorsed by any medicine brand.
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