Calpol Dosage by Age: Infant and Six Plus Paracetamol Doses (UK)

Calpol dosage calculator (UK)

Find the right dose of children’s paracetamol in the UK, such as Calpol Infant (120 mg/5 ml) and Calpol Six Plus (250 mg/5 ml), by your child’s age, with the NHS limits on doses and timing.

This is not medical advice

Estimate only. Not medical advice. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before acting on it. Read the full note

These calculators use published population formulas. They do not know your medical history and cannot diagnose, treat or replace a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. Do not change medication, dosing, eating or drinking decisions on the basis of a number here. If you are pregnant, under 18, over 65, have a health condition or take medication, ask a clinician first. In an emergency call your local emergency number.

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Your child’s dose

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Each dose	7.5 ml
Paracetamol in each dose	180 mg
Doses in 24 hours	no more than 4
Time between doses	at least 4 hours
Longest without advice	3 days, then speak to a doctor or pharmacist

Calpol and children’s paracetamol dose chart by age

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Age	Bottle	Each dose	Paracetamol	In 24 hours
2 to 3 months	Infant 120 mg/5 ml	2.5 ml	60 mg	up to 2 times
3 to 5 months	Infant 120 mg/5 ml	2.5 ml	60 mg	up to 4 times
6 to 23 months	Infant 120 mg/5 ml	5 ml	120 mg	up to 4 times
2 to 3 years	Infant 120 mg/5 ml	7.5 ml	180 mg	up to 4 times
4 to 5 years	Infant 120 mg/5 ml	10 ml	240 mg	up to 4 times
6 to 7 years	Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml	5 ml	250 mg	up to 4 times
8 to 9 years	Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml	7.5 ml	375 mg	up to 4 times
10 to 11 years	Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml	10 ml	500 mg	up to 4 times
12 to 15 years	Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml	10 to 15 ml	500 to 750 mg	up to 4 times
16 years or older	Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml	10 to 20 ml	500 to 1000 mg	up to 4 times

NHS dose table. Leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not give for more than 3 days without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.

In the UK, children’s paracetamol liquid comes in two strengths: Infant (120 mg in 5 ml) for babies and young children, and Six Plus (250 mg in 5 ml) for children aged 6 and over. Calpol is the best-known brand; the doses depend on the strength, not the brand. The NHS sets the dose by age, not by weight, and this calculator follows the NHS table.

How the dose is chosen

Find your child’s age band and the bottle you have. The dose is in ml, measured with the syringe or spoon in the pack.
Give it up to 4 times in 24 hours, with at least 4 hours between doses.
Babies of 2 to 3 months: only if they weigh over 4 kg and were born after 37 weeks, and usually only 2 doses a day.
Never give paracetamol to a baby under 2 months unless a doctor has prescribed it.

Example

A 2-year-old with a fever, using Infant 120 mg/5 ml: 7.5 ml (180 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours, at least 4 hours apart. If the fever lasts more than 3 days, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

Outside the UK

Strengths and doses differ by country. In the US, children’s acetaminophen liquid is 160 mg in 5 ml and is dosed by weight; use the infant Tylenol dosage calculator for US products. Always read the leaflet of the product you actually have.

If you give too much

Get help from NHS 111 if your child has had more paracetamol than the packet, leaflet or prescription says, even if they seem well.

Frequently asked questions

Calpol dosage for 1 year old?

With Infant 120 mg/5 ml: 5 ml (120 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours, at least 4 hours apart. This dose covers ages 6 to 23 months.

Calpol dosage for 2 year old?

With Infant 120 mg/5 ml: 7.5 ml (180 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours. The same dose applies at age 3.

Calpol dosage for 4 year old?

With Infant 120 mg/5 ml: 10 ml (240 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours. The same dose applies at age 5.

Calpol dosage for 7 year old?

With Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml: 5 ml (250 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours, at least 4 hours apart.

Calpol dosage for 10 year old?

With Six Plus 250 mg/5 ml: 10 ml (500 mg) per dose, up to 4 times in 24 hours. At 8 to 9 years it is 7.5 ml (375 mg).

Calpol dosage by weight?

In the UK, children’s paracetamol liquid is dosed by age, not weight, following the NHS table and the product leaflet. If your child is much smaller or larger than average for their age, ask a pharmacist.

Sources

By Calcelate Team. Formula from the sources above.

2026-10-06 · Formula and texts checked
2026-10-06 · Reference data as of this date
2026-09-14 · Emergency numbers verified against official sources