Calculate IV infusion pump rate in mL/hr from a dose in mg/min, mcg/min, or mcg/kg/min plus the drug concentration or bag amount, and reverse mL/hr back to mg/min.
mg/min To mL/hr Formula
The formula below converts a supplied dose rate D in mg/min to volume rate Q in mL/hr using the final solution concentration C in mg/mL. Reverse it with D = Q × C ÷ 60. This is arithmetic for checking an existing prescription, not a recommendation or pump-programming instruction.
Variables:
- Dosage is the medication amount administered per minute (mg/min)
- Concentration is the medication concentration in the solution (mg/ml)
- Flow Rate is the result in milliliters per hour (ml/hr)
To calculate the flow rate in ml/hr, multiply the dosage in mg/min by 60, then divide by the concentration in mg/ml.
| Dosage (mg/min) | Rate (mL/hr) |
|---|---|
| 0.05 | 3.000 |
| 0.10 | 6.000 |
| 0.20 | 12.000 |
| 0.25 | 15.000 |
| 0.50 | 30.000 |
| 0.75 | 45.000 |
| 1 | 60.000 |
| 1.5 | 90.000 |
| 2 | 120.000 |
| 2.5 | 150.000 |
| 3 | 180.000 |
| 4 | 240.000 |
| 5 | 300.000 |
| 7.5 | 450.000 |
| 10 | 600.000 |
| 12.5 | 750.000 |
| 15 | 900.000 |
| 20 | 1200.000 |
| 30 | 1800.000 |
| 50 | 3000.000 |
| * Rounded to 3 decimals. Assumes concentration = 1 mg/mL. Formula: mL/hr = (mg/min × 60) / (mg/mL). At 1 mg/mL, 1 mg/min ≈ 60 mL/hr. | |
What is mg/min To mL/hr Conversion?
This conversion links a prescribed medication mass rate with a solution volume rate. Correct arithmetic alone does not establish a clinically appropriate dose, correct preparation, safe device setting or appropriate administration method. Verify the order, patient, drug, units, final label and applicable clinical protocol with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.
How to Calculate mg/min To mL/hr?
The following steps outline how to calculate the flow rate in ml/hr from a given dosage in mg/min and concentration in mg/ml.
- First, determine the dosage that is administered per minute (in mg/min).
- Next, determine the concentration of the medication in the solution (in mg/ml).
- Use the formula: Flow Rate (ml/hr) = (Dosage (mg/min) * 60) / Concentration (mg/ml).
- Finally, calculate the flow rate in ml/hr.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Dosage (mg/min) = 2 mg/min
Concentration (mg/ml) = 0.4 mg/ml
For this arithmetic example, Q = (2 × 60) ÷ 0.4 = 300 mL/hr. The inverse check is 300 × 0.4 ÷ 60 = 2 mg/min. These example numbers are not an order, recommended dose or instruction to set a pump. See OpenStax dosage calculations and FDA infusion-pump verification guidance. Arithmetic comparison rows are not a titration plan, and a container-duration estimate assumes unchanged flow.
