Bacterial infections (prescription) · Prescription
Amoxicillin dosage for children
Also sold as Amoxil, amoxicillin suspension
Amoxicillin is a prescription antibiotic dosed by weight in mg per kg per day, split into 2 (or 3) doses. The FDA label dose is 25 to 45 mg/kg/day for most infections. For ear infections, the AAP recommends a higher dose of 80 to 90 mg/kg/day in 2 doses. The mL per dose depends on the strength your pharmacy dispensed, so always follow the label on your child’s bottle. This page helps you double-check it.
Source: U.S. FDA label via DailyMed · American Academy of Pediatrics
Amoxicillin dose calculator
Amoxicillin dose per weight, twice a day
| Weight | Most infections (FDA label)25 mg/kg/day | Severe or chest infections (FDA label)45 mg/kg/day | Ear infection, high dose (AAP)90 mg/kg/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg 11 lb | 63 mg1.3 mL of 250 · 0.8 mL of 400 | 113 mg2.3 mL of 250 · 1.4 mL of 400 | 225 mg4.5 mL of 250 · 2.8 mL of 400 |
| 7.5 kg 17 lb | 94 mg1.9 mL of 250 · 1.2 mL of 400 | 169 mg3.4 mL of 250 · 2.1 mL of 400 | 338 mg6.8 mL of 250 · 4.2 mL of 400 |
| 10 kg 22 lb | 125 mg2.5 mL of 250 · 1.6 mL of 400 | 225 mg4.5 mL of 250 · 2.8 mL of 400 | 450 mg9 mL of 250 · 5.6 mL of 400 |
| 12.5 kg 28 lb | 156 mg3.1 mL of 250 · 2 mL of 400 | 281 mg5.6 mL of 250 · 3.5 mL of 400 | 563 mg11.3 mL of 250 · 7 mL of 400 |
| 15 kg 33 lb | 188 mg3.8 mL of 250 · 2.3 mL of 400 | 338 mg6.8 mL of 250 · 4.2 mL of 400 | 675 mg13.5 mL of 250 · 8.4 mL of 400 |
| 17.5 kg 39 lb | 219 mg4.4 mL of 250 · 2.7 mL of 400 | 394 mg7.9 mL of 250 · 4.9 mL of 400 | 788 mg15.8 mL of 250 · 9.8 mL of 400 |
| 20 kg 44 lb | 250 mg5 mL of 250 · 3.1 mL of 400 | 450 mg9 mL of 250 · 5.6 mL of 400 | 900 mg18 mL of 250 · 11.3 mL of 400 |
| 25 kg 55 lb | 313 mg6.3 mL of 250 · 3.9 mL of 400 | 563 mg11.3 mL of 250 · 7 mL of 400 | 1125 mg22.5 mL of 250 · 14.1 mL of 400 |
| 30 kg 66 lb | 375 mg7.5 mL of 250 · 4.7 mL of 400 | 675 mg13.5 mL of 250 · 8.4 mL of 400 | 1350 mg27 mL of 250 · 16.9 mL of 400 |
| 35 kg 77 lb | 438 mg8.8 mL of 250 · 5.5 mL of 400 | 788 mg15.8 mL of 250 · 9.8 mL of 400 | 1575 mg31.5 mL of 250 · 19.7 mL of 400 |
- Under 3 months: the FDA label caps the dose at 30 mg/kg/day, every 12 hours. Babies this young should only take amoxicillin exactly as prescribed.
Doses: U.S. FDA label via DailyMed (25 and 45 mg/kg/day) and American Academy of Pediatrics (90 mg/kg/day). Children who weigh 40 kg (88 lb) or more take adult doses. Follow the prescription and ask your pharmacist.
Your prescription comes first
Amoxicillin doses vary with the infection, your child’s age and kidney function, and your doctor’s judgment. The mL on your pharmacy label is what to give. Use this page to check that the amount makes sense, and call your pharmacist if it doesn’t match.
The ear-infection row is about twice the standard dose. That’s on purpose: the AAP recommends the higher dose for ear infections.
How long to give it
Finish the full course, even if your child feels better after a day or two. For ear infections, the AAP guideline recommends 10 days of antibiotics for children 6 to 23 months old, and for older children with severe symptoms. Strep throat is treated for at least 10 days. Your doctor will tell you how many days your child needs.
Giving amoxicillin
- Shake the bottle well before every dose; the medicine settles.
- Keep the bottle in the refrigerator if the label says to, and throw away what’s left when the course ends.
- Space the two daily doses about 12 hours apart.
- Measure with an oral syringe in mL. How to measure liquid medicine.
When to call the doctor during the course
- Hives, swelling or trouble breathing after a dose (call 911 for trouble breathing).
- No improvement after 48 to 72 hours of treatment.
- Severe or bloody diarrhea.
- You missed doses or gave too much. Call your pharmacist or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Common questions
How much amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL does my child need?
It depends on weight and the dose your doctor chose. For example, a 15 kg (33 lb) child on the high ear-infection dose (90 mg/kg/day) needs 675 mg per dose, which is 13.5 mL of 250 mg/5 mL twice a day. Your prescription label is the final word.
What if I miss a dose?
Give it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one. Don’t give two doses at once.
Why is my child’s dose higher than the chart on the box?
Ear infections are often treated with the high-dose regimen (80-90 mg/kg/day) recommended by the AAP, which is higher than the label’s standard dose.
Sources
- Amoxicillin prescribing information: Dosage and Administration. U.S. FDA label via DailyMed (revised 4 Sep 2026). Checked 2026-09-18.
- The Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media (Lieberthal et al.). American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics 2013;131(3):e964-e999. Checked 2026-09-18.
- AAP Guideline on the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media (practice guideline summary). American Family Physician 2013;88(7):435-440. 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.