Paracetamol dose for children by weight
Paracetamol is dosed from the leaflet table of the specific product. The tables are based on about 10-15 mg per kilogram of body weight. At least 4 hours apart (some leaflets require 6 hours after a 15 mg/kg dose), no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Under 3 months (and, depending on the product, under 2 or 3 years) only on a doctor's recommendation.
Last updated: 9 October 2026
Calculator
The rule behind it
Each product's leaflet has its own dosing table: syrups by body weight, Paracetamol Hasco suppositories by age. The tables are based on a single dose of about 10-15 mg per kilogram. The calculator takes the table row for your child's weight, never exceeds the mg/kg of the same leaflet and measures the volume down to a syringe mark, never above the table row (details: how to read the dose calculator result).
- Interval: at least 4 hours. The leaflets of Apap dla dzieci Forte, Pedicetamol require 6 hours after a 15 mg/kg dose (every 4 h only at 10 mg/kg); the calculator uses 4 h only when this dose and the previous one are at most 10 mg/kg (Apap dla dzieci Forte, Pedicetamol), otherwise 6 h. Paracetamol Hasco: the leaflet says "no more often than every 4-6 hours", the calculator and the Android app use 6 h, and 4 h only between doses of up to 10.5 mg/kg.
- Maximum: 4 doses in 24 hours and no more than 60 mg/kg a day; each leaflet row has its own daily limit.
- How long: no longer than 3 days without a doctor. Apap dla dzieci Forte: if there is no improvement after 2 days or the child feels worse, see a doctor; Panadol: if the fever does not settle within 24 hours (4 doses), see a doctor.
- Do not combine with other products containing paracetamol (cold remedies, suppositories plus syrup).
- Ask a doctor first if your child has liver or kidney disease, is dehydrated or undernourished.
Millilitres depend on the product
The most common mistake: strengths differ up to fourfold, and each leaflet has its own table. For a 15 kg child (age unknown) the calculator gives:
| Product | Strength | Dose for 15 kg | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apap dla dzieci Forte leaflet, register id 8052 | 40 mg/ml | 5.5 ml (220 mg) leaflet table: 165-225 mg · nearest lower mark (every 0.25 ml) | 4 × / 900 mg every 6 h; every 4 h only between doses of up to 10 mg/kg |
| Paracetamol Hasco leaflet, register id 9705 | 120 mg/5 ml | 9 ml (216 mg) leaflet table: 288 mg · same leaflet: 15 mg/kg · nearest lower mark (every 0.5 ml) | 4 × / 900 mg every 6 h; every 4 h only between doses of up to 10.5 mg/kg |
| Panadol dla dzieci leaflet, register id 5104 | 120 mg/5 ml | 9 ml (216 mg) | 4 × / 864 mg every 4 h |
| Pedicetamol leaflet, register id 22295 | 100 mg/ml | 2.2 ml (220 mg) leaflet table: 280 mg · same leaflet: 15 mg/kg · nearest lower mark (every 0.2 ml) | 4 × / 900 mg every 6 h; every 4 h only between doses of up to 10 mg/kg |
| Czopki 125 mg leaflet, register id 9736 | 125 mg | 1 pcs (125 mg) without an age: 10-15 mg/kg, 1 suppository per dose (the rule of the calculator and the Android app); with an age: the age table in whole suppositories · less than 10 mg/kg: this strength is too weak for this weight | 4 × / 900 mg every 4 h |
| Czopki 250 mg leaflet, register id 9737 | 250 mg | without an age: one suppository is more than 15 mg/kg, so not for this weight | |
| Czopki 500 mg leaflet, register id 9738 | 500 mg | without an age: one suppository is more than 15 mg/kg, so not for this weight | |
Write down which bottle you used and how many ml, not just "paracetamol".
A different weight from 15 kg? The full leaflet dosing tables of every product (each weight and age band) are kept in one place: paracetamol leaflet dosing tables in the child medicine dose calculator. The calculator at the top of this page works out the dose for any weight from the same tables.
When is the next dose allowed?
Babies and toddlers
Paracetamol leaflets set an age below which the medicine is given only on a doctor's recommendation. Once you enter the age, the calculator gives no dose below these limits:
- Apap dla dzieci Forte: from 3 kg; “In children under 3 months the medicine is used only on a doctor's advice.” (leaflet, translated)
- Paracetamol Hasco: up to 45.6 kg; “Use in children under 2 years should be prescribed by a doctor.” (leaflet, translated)
- Panadol dla dzieci: from 6 kg; from 3 months; up to 42 kg; “Before giving the medicine to a child under 2 years, contacting a doctor is advised.” (leaflet, translated)
- Pedicetamol: up to 32 kg; “Consult a doctor before giving this medicine to children under 3 years.” (leaflet, translated)
- Czopki 125 mg: age table from 3 months; “Use in children under 2 years should be advised by a doctor.” (leaflet, translated)
- Czopki 250 mg: age table from 3 months; “Use in children under 2 years should be advised by a doctor.” (leaflet, translated)
- Czopki 500 mg: age table from 3 months; “Use in children under 2 years should be advised by a doctor.” (leaflet, translated)
Any fever of 38 °C or more in a baby under 3 months is urgent: contact a doctor straight away, also at night.
These numbers are conversions from leaflets and guidelines. Before giving a medicine, confirm them at the source:
- NHS: paracetamol for children · NHS: ibuprofen for children
- NICE NG143: fever in under 5s · AAP HealthyChildren.org
- Polish medicines register (URPL): official leaflets of the products listed here
- Leaflets in the Polish register: Apap dla dzieci Forte (40 mg/ml) · Paracetamol Hasco (120 mg/5 ml) · Panadol dla dzieci (120 mg/5 ml) · Pedicetamol (100 mg/ml) · Czopki 125 mg (125 mg) · Czopki 250 mg (250 mg) · Czopki 500 mg (500 mg)
- Dosing sources: every leaflet table as the calculator and the Android app encode it, the leaflet date, the register link and every added rule, with its reason
- Your own country's medicines regulator and the leaflet in the box always take precedence.
Tired of keeping track on a scrap of paper?
Oh Fever records what you gave and when. Free for one child.
Shows the time since the last dose, the doses recorded in 24 hours and the leaflet tables and sentences word for word, with a link to the official leaflet. It does not calculate or suggest doses.
Download on the App StoreAlso shows the row of the leaflet table for your child's weight and age, counts down to the next dose the leaflet allows and warns before the daily limit is crossed.
Get it on Google PlayRead next
Polish Register of Medicinal Products (URPL), leaflets: Apap dla dzieci Forte, Paracetamol Hasco, Panadol dla dzieci, Pedicetamol, Nurofen dla dzieci Forte, Ibum, Ibum Forte, Ibufen dla dzieci, Ibufen dla dzieci Forte, Ibuprom dla dzieci Forte, MIG dla dzieci, MIG dla dzieci Forte, Nurofen czopki 60 mg, Nurofen czopki 125 mg; Paracetamol Hasco suppositories 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg
NHS: Paracetamol for children
NICE NG143: Fever in under 5s
This content is for information only and does not replace your doctor or the medicine leaflet. Oh Fever and this website are not a medical device. Doses on this page come from the dosing tables in the leaflets of products registered in Poland, converted to millilitres and rounded to the syringe marks, never above the table. Check the strength on the package before giving any medicine. For high fever, any fever in an infant under 3 months, or worrying symptoms, contact a doctor.