Acetaminophen dosage chart for babies and children

Acetaminophen safety tips

• Don't give acetaminophen to a baby under 12 weeks old without a doctor's approval. A baby this young should be seen by their doctor if they have a fever.
• Shake liquid medicine well before measuring.
• Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine and don't give more than recommended. If you lose the device, get a replacement from the pharmacy or use a standard measuring teaspoon (the kind used for baking).
• Don't give acetaminophen to a child who's taking other medicine that contains acetaminophen unless a doctor advises it.
• Don't give 650 mg extended-release products to children.
• Infants' and children's liquid acetaminophen have the same concentration: 160 mg per 5 ml. (They are both labeled "oral suspension.") The only difference is that the infant version comes with a syringe and the children's version comes with a cup.
• Check the strength of the product. To help avoid confusion, manufacturers standardized the strength of liquid, chewable, and tablet children's acetaminophen to 160 milligrams (mg). But it's still a good idea to check the label to confirm the strength. Products sold outside the U.S. may be formulated in different strengths. (Infants' drops may be sold in more concentrated strengths, for example.) Suppositories are also sold in different strengths (80 mg, 120 mg, 325 mg, and 650 mg), so check those amounts carefully.
• Call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) if you think your child has taken too much medicine.

Tylenol dosage chart for babies and kids

The correct dose for your child is based on weight, not age. If you don't know how much your child weighs and they're too young to stand on a scale, weigh yourself while holding your child and then weigh yourself alone. Subtract your weight from the combined weight to get your child's weight.

You can repeat the dose every four to six hours. Don't give more than five doses in 24 hours.

If you're unsure about the dosage to give your child, call their provider. Also, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) is another common drug given to children to relieve pain and fever – for more information, see our ibuprofen dosage chart.

Acetaminophen dose for a baby 6 to 11 pounds

Dose: 40 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 1.25 ml or 1/4 teaspoon

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 1.25 ml or 1/4 teaspoon

Suppository (80 mg): 1/2 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a baby 12 to 17 pounds

Dose: 80 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 2.5 ml or 1/2 teaspoon

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL)): 2.5 ml or 1/2 teaspoon

Suppository (80 mg): 1 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 18 to 23 pounds

Dose: 120 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 3.75 ml or 3/4 teaspoon

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL)): 3.75 ml or 3/4 teaspoon

Suppository (120 mg): 1 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 24 to 35 pounds

Dose: 160 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 5 ml or 1 teaspoon

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 5 ml or 1 teaspoon

Children's chewables (160 mg): 1 tablet

Suppository (325 mg): 1/2 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 36 to 47 pounds

Dose: 240 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 7.5 ml or 1 1/2 teaspoons

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 7.5 ml or 1 1/2 teaspoons

Children's chewables (160 mg): 1 1/2 tablets

Suppository (120 mg): 2 suppositories

Acetaminophen dose for a child 48 to 59 pounds

Dose: 320 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 10 ml or 2 teaspoons

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 10 ml or 2 teaspoons

Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2 tablets

Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 2 packets

Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 tablet

Suppository (325 mg): 1 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 60 to 71 pounds

Dose: 400 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 12.5 ml or 2 1/2 teaspoons

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 12.5 ml or 2 1/2 teaspoons

Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 2 1/2 tablets

Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 2 packets

Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 tablet

Suppository (325 mg): 1 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 72 to 95 pounds

Dose: 480 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 15 ml or 3 teaspoons

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5 mL): 15 ml or 3 teaspoons

Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 3 tablets

Children's dissolvable packets (160 mg per pack): 3 packets

Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 1 1/2 tablets

Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1 tablet

Suppository (325 mg): 1 1/2 suppository

Acetaminophen dose for a child 96+ pounds

Dose: 640 mg

Infants' oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 20 ml or 4 teaspoons

Children's oral suspension (160 mg/5mL): 20 ml or 4 teaspoons

Children's chewables or meltaways (160 mg): 4 tablets

Adult regular-strength tablets (325 mg): 2 tablets

Adult extra-strength tablets (500 mg): 1 tablet

Suppository (650 mg): 1 suppository

Learn more:

• How to give your child medicine safely and effectively
• How to take your child's temperature
• Medicines you shouldn't give your baby, toddler, or child
• Medicine cabinet checklist