Fever and pain · Over the counter
Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosage for infants and children
Also sold as Infants’ Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol, paracetamol, Feverall
Infants’ and Children’s Tylenol are the same strength in the US: 160 mg in every 5 mL. Go by weight: a 12-17 lb baby gets 2.5 mL, and a 24-35 lb child gets 5 mL. Give a dose every 4 to 6 hours as needed, and no more than 5 doses in 24 hours. A baby under 12 weeks with a fever needs to see a doctor before getting any medicine.
Source: St. Louis Children's Hospital · American Academy of Pediatrics
Tylenol dose calculator
Tylenol dosage chart
| Weight | Dose (mg) | Liquid 160 mg/5 mL | Chewable 160 mg | Tablet 325 mg | Tablet 500 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-11 lb (2.7-5.4 kg) | 40 mg | 1.25 mL | not used | not used | not used |
| 12-17 lb (5.4-8.2 kg) | 80 mg | 2.5 mL | not used | not used | not used |
| 18-23 lb (8.2-10.9 kg) | 120 mg | 3.75 mL | not used | not used | not used |
| 24-35 lb (10.9-16.3 kg) | 160 mg | 5 mL | 1 tablet | not used | not used |
| 36-47 lb (16.3-21.8 kg) | 240 mg | 7.5 mL | 1½ tablets | not used | not used |
| 48-59 lb (21.8-27.2 kg) | 320 mg | 10 mL | 2 tablets | 1 tablet | not used |
| 60-71 lb (27.2-32.7 kg) | 400 mg | 12.5 mL | 2½ tablets | 1 tablet | not used |
| 72-95 lb (32.7-43.5 kg) | 480 mg | 15 mL | 3 tablets | 1½ tablets | 1 tablet |
| 96 lb and up (43.5 kg+) | 640 mg | 20 mL | 4 tablets | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
- Babies under 12 weeks: do not give acetaminophen without talking to a doctor first. A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher at this age needs medical care right away.
- Under 2 years: the package says to ask a doctor. Check with your child’s doctor before giving this dose.
- At 96 lb and over, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours: 5 doses would be 3,200 mg, above the 3,000 mg adult daily maximum in the same table.
Chart: St. Louis Children's Hospital. A hyphen means that product isn’t used at that weight.
Infants’ vs Children’s Tylenol: same medicine, same strength
Single-ingredient liquid acetaminophen for children in the US now comes in one strength: 160 mg per 5 mL. Manufacturers switched voluntarily in 2011, and the FDA recommends this single strength, with directions and dosing devices marked only in mL. The infant box comes with a small syringe; the children’s bottle usually comes with a cup. The mL dose for your child’s weight is the same whichever bottle you have.
Older infant drops (80 mg per 0.8 mL, or 80 mg per mL) were much stronger, and mix-ups between them caused serious overdoses. If you find an old bottle at home, don’t use it with this chart. Infant vs Children’s Tylenol explained.
Giving Tylenol safely
- Use the oral syringe that came with the medicine and measure in mL. Kitchen spoons are not accurate. How to measure liquid medicine.
- Shake the bottle first.
- Write down the time of each dose so you don’t go over 5 doses in 24 hours.
- Check other medicines for acetaminophen. Many cold and flu products contain it, and giving two at once can cause an overdose.
- Don’t give children the 650 mg extended-release (“8 HR” or “Arthritis”) tablets.
When to call the doctor instead
- Your baby is under 12 weeks and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- The fever lasts more than 3 days, or pain lasts more than 5 days.
- Your child seems very sick, is hard to wake, is breathing hard, or won’t drink.
- You gave too much or aren’t sure. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if your child seems fine.
Common questions
How often can I give my child Tylenol?
Every 4 to 6 hours as needed, with no more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
Should I dose by weight or by age?
By weight. Children of the same age can differ in weight by 10 lb or more, so a weight-based dose is more accurate. Use age only if you don’t know the weight.
Can I give Tylenol and Motrin together?
They’re different medicines, and the AAP notes that combining them may bring a fever down more than either one. It also warns that juggling two medicines makes mistakes more likely, so only alternate if your child’s doctor advises it. See the alternating schedule.
Sources
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dose Table. St. Louis Children's Hospital (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines). Checked 2026-09-18.
- Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Infants & Children. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org (updated 30 Jan 2026). Checked 2026-09-18.
- Over-the-Counter Pediatric Oral Liquid Drug Products Containing Acetaminophen: Guidance for Industry. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, August 2015. Checked 2026-09-25.
- Metric Units and the Preferred Dosing of Orally Administered Liquid Medications. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs, Pediatrics 2015;135(4):784-787. Checked 2026-09-18.
- Drug Facts label on the package. Manufacturer, U.S. OTC Drug Facts. Checked 2026-09-18.