Children’s acetaminophen dosage
Every chart below is transcribed from a real FDA drug-facts label, and grouped by the strength printed on the bottle. We calculate nothing.
Check the strength on your bottle first
The same medicine is sold at more than one concentration, and a chart is only correct for the bottle it was printed on. Find the “active ingredient” line on your package and match it to the heading above a chart below. If it does not match any of them, use the chart on your own box and ask a pharmacist if it is unclear.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5 mL) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
The same chart appears on 22 products, including Basic Care Childrens Pain and Fever, CHILDRENS PAIN AND FEVER, CVS Childrens Pain plus Fever Relief.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (mL)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2-3 years | 5 mL |
| 36-47 | 4-5 years | 7.5 mL |
| 48-59 | 6-8 years | 10 mL |
| 60-71 | 9-10 years | 12.5 mL |
| 72-95 | 11 years | 15 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5 mL) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
The same chart appears on 14 products, including CareOne Infants Acetaminophen, Dye Free Infants Pain and Fever, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Infants Pain and Fever.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (mL)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2-3 years | 5 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active Ingredient Active ingredient (in each 5mL) Purpose Acetaminophen 160 mg ………………………….........Pain reliever/fever reducer”.
The same chart appears on 3 products, including CHILDRENS ACETAMINOPHEN, Children Acetaminophen, MAX relief junior.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs.) | Age (yrs.) | Dose (tsp or mL) |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 | ask a doctor |
| 24 to 35 | 2 to 3 | 1 tsp or 5 mL |
| 36 to 47 | 4 to 5 | 1 1/2 tsp or 7.5 mL |
| 48 to 59 | 6 to 8 | 2 tsp or 10 mL |
| 60 to 71 | 9 to 10 | 2 1/2 tsp or 12.5 mL |
| 72 to 95 | 11 | 3 tsp or 15 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per chewable tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each chewable tablet) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
The same chart appears on 3 products, including Pain and Fever Childrens, childrens pain reliever, pain relief childrens.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (chewable tablets)* |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24 | Under 2 | Ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2-3 | 1 tablet |
| 36-47 | 4-5 | 1 1/2 tablets |
| 48-59 | 6-8 | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 | 9-10 | 2 1/2 tablets |
| 72-95 | 11 | 3 tablets |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active Ingredient Active ingredient (in each 5mL) Purpose Acetaminophen 160 mg ………………………….........Pain reliever/fever reducer”.
The same chart appears on 2 products, including CHILDRENS ACETAMINOPHEN, MAX relief junior Grape.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs) | Age (yrs.) | Dose (tsp or mL) | Weight (lbs) | Age (yrs.) | Dose (tsp or mL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 | ask a doctor | 48 to 59 | 6 to 8 | 2 tsp or 10 mL |
| 25 to 35 | 2 to 3 | 1 tsp or 5 mL | 60 to 71 | 9 to 10 | 2 1/2 tsp or 12.5 mL |
| 36 to 47 | 4 to 5 | 1 1/2 tsp or 7.5 mL | 72 to 95 | 11 | 2 1/2 tsp or 12.5 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per chewable tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each chewable tablet) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
The same chart appears on 2 products, including Children Pain and Fever Reliever, Children Pain and Fever Reliver.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs) | under 24 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (yr) | under 2 years | 2-3 years | 4-5 years | 6-8 years | 9-10 years | 11 years |
| Dose (Tablets) | ask a doctor | 1 tablet | 1 ½ tablets | 2 tablets | 2 ½ tablets | 3 tablets |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
Acetaminophen 162.5 mg Dextromethorphan HBr 5 mg Doxylamine succinate 3.125 mg
From the label for Mucinex Childrens Mighty Chews Night Time Cold and Flu.
| Who | Dose |
|---|---|
| adults and children 12 years of age and over | 4 chewable tablets every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 doses (24 chewable tablets) in any 24-hour period |
| children 6 to under 12 years of age | 2 chewable tablets every 4 hours, not to exceed 5 doses (10 chewable tablets) in any 24-hour period |
| children under 6 years of age | do not use |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active Ingredient Active ingredient (in each 5mL) Purpose Acetaminophen 160 mg ………………………….........Pain reliever/fever reducer”.
From the label for Childrens Acetaminophen Oral Liquid Grape Flavor.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs) | Age (yrs.) | Dose (tsp or mL) | Weight (lbs) | Age (yrs.) | Dose (tsp or mL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 | ask a doctor | 48 to 59 | 6 to 8 | 2 tsp or 10 mL |
| 25 to 35 | 2 to 3 | 1 tsp or 5 mL | 60 to 71 | 9 to 10 | 2 1/2 tsp or 12.5 mL |
| 36 to 47 | 4 to 5 | 1 1/2 tsp or 7.5 mL | 72 to 95 | 11 | 3 tsp or 15 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active Ingredient and Purpose Active ingredient (in each 5 mL vial) Purpose Acetaminophen 160 mg............... Pain reliever/fever reducer”.
From the label for Dr Kids Pain and Fever.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Age (Years) | Dose* |
|---|---|
| under 2 | consult a doctor |
| 2 to under 6 | 1 vial (5 mL) |
| 6 to 11 | 2 vials (10 mL) |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5 mL = 1 teaspoonful) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Pain and Fever.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (mL or tsp)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2 - 3 years | 5 mL (1 tsp) |
| 36-47 | 4 - 5 years | 7.5 mL (1 1/2 tsp0 |
| 48-59 | 6 - 8 years | 10 mL (2 tsp) |
| 60-71 | 9 - 10 years | 12.5. mL (2 1/2 TSP) |
| 72-95 | 11 years | 15 mL (3 tsp) |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5 mL = 1 teaspoonful) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Pain and Fever, Grape flavor.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (mL or tsp)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2 - 3 years | 5 mL (1 tsp) |
| 36-47 | 4 - 5 years | 7.5 mL (1 1/2 tsp) |
| 48-59 | 6 - 8 years | 10 mL (2 tsp) |
| 60-71 | 9 - 10 years | 12.5. mL (2 1/2 tsp) |
| 72-95 | 11 years | 15 mL (3 tsp) |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5 mL) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Infants Pain and Fever Cherry Flavor.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight | Age | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 lbs | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 lbs. | 2-3 years | 5 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each 5mL = 1 teaspoon) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Llorens Care Children Acetaminophen.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs) | under 24 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 | over 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | under 2 | 2 to 3 | 4 to 5 | 6 to 8 | 9 to 10 | 11 | 12 to adult |
| Dosage Teaspoonful (tsp) | consult physician | 1 tsp (5 mL) | 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 mL) | 2 tsp (10 mL) | 2 1/2 tsp (12.5 mL) | 3 tsp (15 mL) | 4 tsp (20 (mL) |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per chewable tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each chewable tablet) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Childrens TYLENOL.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (tablets)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 lbs | 2-3 years | 1 tablet |
| 36-47 lbs | 4-5 years | 1½ tablets |
| 48-59 lbs | 6-8 years | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 lbs | 9-10 years | 2½ tablets |
| 72-95 lbs | 11 years | 3 tablets |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
Active ingredient (in each rectal suppository) Acetaminophen, USP 80 mg
From the label for Feverall Infants.
| Age | Dose |
|---|---|
| under 6 months | Do not use unless directed by a doctor |
| 6 to 11 months | Use 1 suppository every 6 hours (maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours) |
| 12 to 36 months | Use 1 suppository every 4 to 6 hours (maximum of 5 doses in 24 hours) |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each tablet) Acetaminophen 160 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Pain Relief.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lbs) | under 24 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (yrs) | under 2 years | 2-3- years | 4-5 years | 6-8 years | 9-10 years | 11 years |
| Dose(tablets)* | ask a doctor | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | 2 1/2 | 3 |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
80 mg per tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each tablet) Acetaminophen 80 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Chewable Acetaminophen.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Under 24 | 24-35 | 36-47 | 48-59 | 60-71 | 72-95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Under 2 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-8 | 9-10 | 11 |
| Tablets | Ask a doctor | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
80 mg per tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each tablet) Acetaminophen 80 mg”.
From the label for Genexa Kids Pain and Fever.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight | Age | Dose* |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24 lbs. | Under 2 years | Ask a doctor |
| 24-35 lbs. | 2-3 years | 2 tablets |
| 36-47 lbs. | 4-5 years | 3 tablets |
| 48-59 lbs. | 6-8 years | 4 tablets |
| 60-71 lbs. | 9-10 years | 5 tablets |
| 72-95 lbs. | 11 years | 6 tablets |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per tablet
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredient (in each tablet) Acetaminophen USP 160 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Pain Relief.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Weight (lb) | Age (yr) | Dose (tablets)* |
|---|---|---|
| under 24 | under 2 years | ask a doctor |
| 24-35 | 2-3 years | 1 tablet |
| 36-47 | 4-5 years | 1½ tablets |
| 48-59 | 6-8 years | 2 tablets |
| 60-71 | 9-10 years | 2½ tablets |
| 72-95 | 11 years | 3 tablets |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
320 mg per 10 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredients (in each 10 mL) Acetaminophen 320 mg Dextromethorphan HBr, USP 5 mg”.
From the label for Kids Multi Symptom Cold and Flu.
| Who | Dose |
|---|---|
| children 6 to under 12 years | 10 mL every 4 hours |
| children 4 to under 6 years | 7.5 mL every 4 hours |
| children under 4 years | do not use |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
325 mg per 10 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredients (in each 10 mL) Acetaminophen 325 mg Diphenhydramine HCl 12.5 mg Active ingredients (in each 10 mL) Acetaminophen 320 mg Dextromethorphan HBr”.
From the label for Daytime and Nighttime Kids Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu combo pack.
| Who | Dose |
|---|---|
| children 6 to under 12 years | 10 mL every 4 hours |
| children 4 to under 6 years | 7.5 mL every 4 hours |
| children under 4 years | do not use |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
325 mg per 15 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredients (in each 15 mL) Acetaminophen 325 mg Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg Purpose Pain reliever/fever reducer Cough suppressant”.
From the label for Vicks DayQuil Kids COLD and COUGH plus FEVER.
| adults & children 12 yrs & over | 30 mL every 4 hrs |
|---|---|
| children 6 to under 12 yrs | 15 mL every 4 hrs |
| children 4 to under 6 yrs | ask a doctor |
| children under 4 yrs | do not use |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
160 mg per 5 mL
On the bottle this reads “Active ingredients (in each 5 mL) Acetaminophen 160 mg Chlorpheniramine maleate 1 mg Dextromethorphan HBr 5 mg Phenylephrine HCl 2.5 mg”.
From the label for Childrens Multi Symptom Fever and Cold.
Products at this strength do not all print the same chart — check the brand above against your box, and if it is not listed, use the chart printed on your own package.
| Age | Dose |
|---|---|
| children under 4 years | do not use |
| children 4 to under 6 years of age | do not use unless directed by a doctor |
| children 6 to under 12 years of age | 10 mL |
Transcribed from the FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed.
Frequently asked questions
How much acetaminophen can I give my child?
Read it off the chart for the bottle you are holding, above. There is more than one strength of children's acetaminophen on sale, and each has its own chart — that is why this page shows them separately rather than giving one number. Dose by weight where the chart offers weight; the label itself says to use weight if you know it, and age only otherwise.
Why does the chart say "ask a doctor" for babies under 2?
Because the label does. The FDA drug-facts chart stops at the youngest age the product was approved to be self-administered for, and below that the manufacturer directs you to a clinician rather than printing a dose. We reproduce that row exactly and do not fill it in — a paediatrician dosing an infant is working from weight and a clinical picture that a chart cannot carry.
Can I use a children's chart with an infants' bottle?
No, and this is the mistake that causes real harm. The same drug is sold at different concentrations: infants' ibuprofen is 50 mg per 1.25 mL, children's is 100 mg per 5 mL. Reading one chart against the other bottle gives the wrong amount of medicine. Check the "active ingredient" line on your bottle against the strength shown above each chart here.
Can I use a kitchen spoon to measure it?
No. Use the syringe or cup that came with that specific product — labels say so explicitly, and household spoons vary enough to matter at these volumes. If the dosing device is lost, ask a pharmacist for one rather than estimating.
Where do these numbers come from?
Each table is transcribed cell for cell from that product's FDA drug-facts label on DailyMed, linked under every chart. We calculate nothing and we merge nothing across products.
More on acetaminophen
These charts are reproduced from FDA drug-facts labels for reference. They are not medical advice and cannot account for your child’s other medicines or conditions. Always read the label on the product you are giving, never exceed the stated number of doses in 24 hours, and call a doctor, pharmacist or poison control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) if you are unsure or think too much has been given.