Tylenol and Motrin Dosage Chart for Kids by Weight
The safest way to dose acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is by your child's current weight, using the measuring device that came with the medicine. If you do not know your child's weight, use the age on the package. The charts below follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) dosing tables.
Before you give any fever medicine
- Under 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher: call us or go to the ER before giving medicine. A fever this early can be a sign of serious infection.
- Under 6 months: do not give ibuprofen unless your doctor tells you to.
- Under 2 years: check with your doctor for the right acetaminophen dose.
- Never give aspirin to children or teens because of the risk of Reye syndrome.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosage chart
Give every 4 hours as needed. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. All infants' and children's liquid acetaminophen sold in the U.S. is now the same strength: 160 mg per 5 mL.
| Weight | Typical age | Infants' liquid (160 mg / 5 mL) | Children's liquid (160 mg / 5 mL) | Chewable (160 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 11 lbs | 0 to 3 months | 1.25 mL (ask your doctor first) | Not used | Not used |
| 12 to 17 lbs | 4 to 11 months | 2.5 mL | Not used | Not used |
| 18 to 23 lbs | 12 to 23 months | 3.75 mL | Not used | Not used |
| 24 to 35 lbs | 2 to 3 years | 5 mL | 5 mL | 1 tablet |
| Weight | Typical age | Children's liquid (160 mg / 5 mL) | Children's chewable (160 mg) | Adult regular strength (325 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 to 47 lbs | 4 to 5 years | 7.5 mL | 1½ tablets | Not used |
| 48 to 59 lbs | 6 to 8 years | 10 mL | 2 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 60 to 71 lbs | 9 to 10 years | 12.5 mL | 2½ tablets | 1 tablet |
| 72 to 95 lbs | 11 years | 15 mL | 3 tablets | 1 tablet |
| 96 lbs or more | 12 years or older | Use adult products | Use adult products | 2 tablets |
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) dosage chart
Give every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Give it with food or milk if it upsets your child's stomach, and avoid it if your child is vomiting repeatedly or seems dehydrated.
| Weight | Typical age | Infants' drops (50 mg / 1.25 mL) | Children's liquid (100 mg / 5 mL) | Children's chewable (100 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 lbs | 0 to 5 months | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use |
| 12 to 17 lbs | 6 to 11 months | 1.25 mL | 2.5 mL | Not used |
| 18 to 23 lbs | 12 to 23 months | 1.875 mL | 4 mL | Not used |
| 24 to 35 lbs | 2 to 3 years | 2.5 mL | 5 mL | 1 tablet |
| 36 to 47 lbs | 4 to 5 years | 3.75 mL | 7.5 mL | 1½ tablets |
| 48 to 59 lbs | 6 to 8 years | 5 mL | 10 mL | 2 tablets |
| 60 to 71 lbs | 9 to 10 years | Not used | 12.5 mL | 2½ tablets |
| 72 to 95 lbs | 11 years | Not used | 15 mL | 3 tablets |
| 96 lbs or more | 12 years or older | Not used | 20 mL | 4 tablets |
How to measure accurately
- Use an oral syringe for liquids. Kitchen spoons are not accurate. Ask your pharmacist for a syringe if the box did not include one.
- Match the product. Read the concentration (mg per mL) on the box before every dose, especially if you have both infants' and children's versions at home.
- Check other medicines. Many cold and flu products also contain acetaminophen. FDA advises against cough and cold products for children under 2, their labels say not to use them under 4, and the AAP recommends avoiding combination products under 6.
- Keep a log of the time and amount of each dose, especially when more than one adult is caring for your child.
Prefer to enter a weight and get a number? Our pediatric dose calculator uses the same weight-based approach.
Treat the child, not the number
Fever is the body's normal response to infection and is not dangerous by itself in otherwise healthy children. The goal of medicine is comfort, not a normal thermometer reading. A child who is playing and drinking well may not need medicine at all. Our fever guide for parents explains when a fever needs a visit.
Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if your child:
- Has trouble breathing, or is breathing very fast
- Is very hard to wake, limp, or unresponsive
- Has a seizure
- Has a stiff neck, a purple or blood-colored rash, or signs of dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, no tears)
Not Sure About a Dose?
Call us before giving medicine if your child is under 2, has a chronic medical condition, or takes other medicines. We are glad to confirm a dose over the phone. For an accidental overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Call us at (609) 808-3123 during office hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Common Questions from Parents
How much Tylenol can I give my child?
Use your child's weight. For example, a child who weighs 24 to 35 pounds gets 5 mL of children's or infants' acetaminophen (160 mg per 5 mL). You can repeat it every 4 hours if needed, but never give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. Check with your doctor before giving acetaminophen to a child under 2.
Can I give Motrin to a baby under 6 months?
No, not unless your child's doctor tells you to. Ibuprofen is not approved for babies under 6 months old. Any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months needs to be checked by a doctor right away, before giving any medicine.
Why are infant ibuprofen drops a smaller dose than children's ibuprofen liquid?
Infants' ibuprofen drops are more concentrated (50 mg per 1.25 mL) than children's ibuprofen liquid (100 mg per 5 mL). That is why the mL amounts in the two columns are different. Always match the dose to the exact product in your hand and use the syringe that came with it.
Is it OK to alternate Tylenol and Motrin?
Only if your pediatrician recommends it for your child. Alternating makes it easier to lose track and give too much. For most fevers, one medicine at the right dose is enough. Keep a written log of the time and amount of every dose.
What should I do if I gave my child too much medicine?
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if your child seems fine. They are available 24 hours a day. Call 911 if your child is very sleepy, hard to wake, or having trouble breathing.
Sources
Doses above are transcribed from the AAP tables and match U.S. product labels. Always follow the label on the product you are using.
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Acetaminophen Dosage Table for Fever and Pain (accessed October 26, 2026)
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Ibuprofen Dosage Table for Fever and Pain (last updated September 19, 2024)
- U.S. FDA: Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers): 1-800-222-1222