Tylenol Dosage by Weight: 5kg to 30kg Chart (Doctor Dad's Calculation Guide)

3 AM, Standing Over a Feverish Child

It's 3 AM. My daughter Yunseul suddenly wakes up crying. The moment I touch her forehead, I know. Fever. The thermometer reads 39.2°C (102.6°F). I grab the Tylenol right away, but then the real question hits.

"How much does she weigh now? Was the dose I gave last time correct?"

The dosing chart on the back of the box only lists doses by age: "1-2 years: X mL." But should an 18lb (8kg) child and a 29lb (13kg) child of the same age really get the same dose? Of course not.

When I worked in the ER, we always calculated pediatric fever medicine doses based on weight. The age-based chart is a rough guide at best. For accurate dosing, weight-based calculation is essential. That is why I put together this weight-based Tylenol dosage chart so that even at 3 AM, with a foggy head, you can look it up instantly.

Why Weight-Based Dosing?

Even among 2-year-olds, one child may weigh 22lb (10kg) while another weighs 31lb (14kg). A medication's effectiveness and safety depend on the amount of drug per unit of body weight, expressed as mg/kg. Age-based charts are built around average weights, so they are inherently inaccurate for children who fall above or below the average.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Korean Pediatric Society recommend calculating pediatric antipyretic doses based on weight.

Formula: Weight (kg) x Dose (mg/kg) / Concentration (mg/mL) = Dose (mL)

The recommended dose for Tylenol (acetaminophen) is 10-15 mg/kg. You can adjust within this range based on your child's condition.

Children's Tylenol 160mg/5mL (32mg/mL) Dosage Chart

Children's Tylenol Suspension at this concentration contains 32mg of acetaminophen per mL. This is the standard concentration widely available in the US (labeled as 160mg/5mL). It can be used from 4 months of age and older.

Calculation: Weight (kg) x 10mg / 32 = minimum mL to Weight (kg) x 15mg / 32 = maximum mL

*At 30kg (66lb), the 15mg/kg dose equals 450mg, which is within the single-dose maximum of 650mg. For children over approximately 43kg (95lb), the single-dose maximum of 650mg (= 20.3mL) applies as the upper limit.

Children's Tylenol 50mg/mL (Higher Concentration) Dosage Chart

Some markets carry a higher-concentration Children's Tylenol Suspension at 50mg of acetaminophen per mL. This formulation is 1.5 times more concentrated than the standard product, so the mL amount per dose is smaller.

For children aged 2 years (24 months) and older.

Calculation: Weight (kg) x 10mg / 50 = minimum mL to Weight (kg) x 15mg / 50 = maximum mL

*At 30kg, the single-dose maximum (650mg) still applies, same as the standard concentration product.

Warning: The standard (32mg/mL) and higher concentration (50mg/mL) products have different concentrations! When switching between products, you must recalculate the dose. For more details, see Tylenol 100mL vs 200mL: What's the Difference?.

Dosing Interval and Daily Limits

For example, a 22lb (10kg) child has a maximum daily dose of 750mg. Using the standard concentration product (32mg/mL), this is approximately 23.4mL per day; using the higher concentration product (50mg/mL), approximately 15.0mL per day, divided across multiple doses.

Maintain at least 4 hours between doses, give no more than 5 doses per day, and never exceed the daily maximum of 75mg/kg.

Safety Checklist Before Giving Medicine

Always verify the following before administering Tylenol.

• Confirm the weight is current - Use a recently measured weight. A weight from several months ago may be inaccurate.
• Check the product concentration - Standard (160mg/5mL or 32mg/mL) vs. higher concentration (50mg/mL) are NOT the same! Always verify the mg/mL on the label.
• Record the time of each dose - Write down when you gave medicine so you can calculate the next safe dosing time.
• Shake the suspension well before use - If the medication has settled, the concentration will not be uniform.
• Never give another acetaminophen product at the same time - Other products like Champ Syrup (red) or store-brand acetaminophen contain the same active ingredient. Taking them together results in a double dose.

Summary

1. Pediatric Tylenol dosing should be based on weight, not age for the greatest accuracy.
2. Use the formula Weight (kg) x 10-15 mg/kg / Concentration (mg/mL) to calculate the dose in mL.
3. Standard (32mg/mL) and higher concentration (50mg/mL) products have different concentrations, so always recalculate when switching products.
4. Maintain at least 4 hours between doses, no more than 5 doses per day, and do not exceed 75mg/kg/day.
5. For precise calculations, use our dosage calculator. Just enter your child's weight and age for an instant result.

References

• FDA - Acetaminophen Dosing for Children
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children
• Korean Pediatric Society - Guidelines for Pediatric Antipyretic Use

Medical Disclaimer: The dosage charts in this article are for general reference only and may vary based on your child's condition. Verify the exact dose using our dosage calculator, and when in doubt, always consult your child's doctor or pharmacist.

Read More

• Tylenol 100mL vs 200mL: What's the Difference? - Watch out for concentration differences that can cause overdosing
• When to Give Fever Medicine? - Look at your child's condition, not the thermometer number
• How Long Between Fever Medicine Doses? - Safe dosing interval guide