# IV Drip Rate Calculator (Gravity)

Calculate the gravity (manual) IV drip rate in drops per minute: gtt/min = Volume × Drop factor / Time. Drop factor selectable (macro 10/15/20 or micro 60 gtt/mL). Time may be hours+minutes or minutes; rounded to whole drops with drift warning. Vasoactive/cardiotonic drugs and pediatric infusions must ALWAYS use a pump. Derived from Philips 2007, Macklin 2011, MDCalc, and ISMP. Not medical advice.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/iv-drip-rate-calculator

- **Category:** Health

- **Keywords:** IV drip rate, drip rate, drops per minute, gtt/min, drop factor, macro drip, micro drip, gravity infusion, manual infusion, infusion calculation, nursing, maintenance fluid

## Overview

The IV Drip Rate Calculator (Gravity) calculates a manual infusion rate in drops per minute (gtt/min) from volume, drop factor, and infusion time. It supports macro sets of 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL and micro sets of 60 gtt/mL, then rounds the result to whole drops.

## Inputs

- **Drop Factor (gtt/mL)** (select)
- **Volume (mL)** (number): Total volume to infuse (mL).
- **Time (hours)** (number): Infusion time, hours component. May be combined with minutes. Either hours or minutes (or both) must be > 0.
- **Time (minutes)** (number): Infusion time, minutes component (0–59). Combined with hours if given.
- **Decimal Places** (number)

## When to use

- Estimate a gravity infusion rate for a non-vasoactive adult maintenance fluid.
- Check a manual drip calculation using the drop factor printed on the IV set.
- Convert a prescribed volume and duration into drops per minute for bedside verification.

## How it works

- Enter the total volume in milliliters.
- Select the IV set drop factor: 10, 15, 20, or 60 gtt/mL.
- Enter infusion time as hours, minutes, or both.
- The calculator applies gtt/min = Volume × Drop factor / Time, reports the raw rate, and rounds it to whole drops.

## Use cases

- Nursing checks for adult gravity-based maintenance fluids.
- Verification of IV tubing calculations when changing bags or infusion durations.
- Comparing macro-drip and micro-drip calculations for non-pump manual infusions.

## Frequently asked questions

### What formula does the calculator use?

It uses gtt/min = Volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL) ÷ Time (minutes).

### Which drop factors are supported?

The calculator supports 10, 15, and 20 gtt/mL macro sets and a 60 gtt/mL micro set.

### Can I enter time in hours and minutes?

Yes. Enter hours, minutes, or both; the calculator converts the total time to minutes.

### Why is the result rounded to a whole number?

Drops are discrete events, so the displayed manual drip rate is rounded to whole drops per minute.

### Can this be used for pediatric or vasoactive infusions?

No. Pediatric infusions and vasoactive or cardiotonic drugs must use an infusion pump, not gravity. This tool is not medical advice.

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