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Acetaminophen dosage chart for babies and children

Acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol, is used to relieve pain and fever. Tylenol dosage for babies and kids is determined by weight, not age.

baby getting oral medicine through plastic syringe

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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Suppository (650 mg): 1 suppository


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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

AAP. 2021. Acetaminophen dosing tables for fever and pain in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed January 2022]

FDA. 2018. FDA drug safety communication: Addition of another concentration of liquid acetaminophen marketed for infants. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-addition-another-concentration-liquid-acetaminophen-marketed-infantsOpens a new window [Accessed January 2022]

MedlinePlus. 2020. Acetaminophen dosing for children. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000783.htmOpens a new window [Accessed January 2022]

Medscape. Undated. Acetaminophen rectal (OTC). https://reference.medscape.com/drug/acephen-feverall-acetaminophen-rectal-999328#0Opens a new window [Accessed January 2022]

Tylenol. Undated. Dosage information for infants, children, and adults. https://www.tylenolprofessional.com/dosageOpens a new window [Accessed January 2022]

Karen Miles
Karen Miles is a writer and an expert on pregnancy and parenting who has contributed to BabyCenter for more than 20 years. She's passionate about bringing up-to-date, useful information to parents so they can make good decisions for their families. Her favorite gig of all is being "Mama Karen" to four grown children and "Nana" to nine grandkids.
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