How Much Paracetamol Should I Give My Child?
Paracetamol dose for children is 15 mg/kg per dose, every 4–6 hours, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Enter your child's weight to see the dose for Panadol syrup (120 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5 ml).
Before giving your child paracetamol
- Check if your child still needs it. Fever alone is not always harmful.
- Wait at least 4 hours since the last paracetamol dose.
- Do not give more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
- Check the expiry date on the bottle.
- Use the syringe or measuring cup that came with the product, not a kitchen teaspoon.
Enter your child's weight to see the dose for this bottle.
Reference only. Dose at 15 mg/kg (paracetamol) or 10 mg/kg (ibuprofen), rounded down to nearest 0.5 ml. Check the bottle concentration and confirm with your pharmacist before measuring. Calculations run on your device.
Bottle concentrations vary, and the difference matters. A 5 ml dose of Panadol 250 mg/5 ml carries more than twice the paracetamol of a 5 ml dose of the 120 mg/5 ml children's syrup. The calculator above adjusts the ml output to whichever bottle you have on hand, so confirm the concentration printed on your bottle before measuring.
Reference dose by weight
Doses at 15 mg/kg, rounded down to the nearest 0.5 ml. For children under 5 kg, see a doctor before giving any fever medicine.
| Weight | 120 mg/5 ml | 250 mg/5 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 3.0 ml | 1.5 ml |
| 6 kg | 3.5 ml | 1.5 ml |
| 8 kg | 5.0 ml | 2.0 ml |
| 10 kg | 6.0 ml | 3.0 ml |
| 12 kg | 7.5 ml | 3.5 ml |
| 15 kg | 9.0 ml | 4.5 ml |
| 18 kg | 11.0 ml | 5.0 ml |
| 20 kg | 12.5 ml | 6.0 ml |
| 25 kg | 15.5 ml | 7.5 ml |
120 mg/5 ml: Panadol Children's Syrup. 250 mg/5 ml: Panadol 6+, Cafmol 6+. For children aged 6 and above. Maximum single dose: 1000 mg.
If you give too much
Paracetamol overdose can damage the liver, and symptoms can be delayed by hours or days. Do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice.
If your child has had too much paracetamol
- !Your child is vomiting, has tummy pain, or the whites of their eyes or skin look yellow (jaundice)
- !You are unsure how much was taken
- !Your child has had 2 or more extra doses in 24 hours
- !The daily limit of 4 doses has been exceeded
- !A combination product (cold and flu syrup, cough medicine) was given on top of paracetamol. Many of these also contain paracetamol.
→ What overdose symptoms look like and what to do while waiting for help
When NOT to give paracetamol
- Babies under 3 months or under 4 kg: see a doctor before giving anything
- Children with liver disease or hepatic impairment
- Known allergy to paracetamol or any ingredient in the product
If you are unsure about another condition, ask your pharmacist before giving any medicine.
If you need to alternate paracetamol with ibuprofen during a high fever, track each one separately. The timing intervals are different and they should not be given at the same time.
→ How to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen safely
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate paracetamol dose for my child by weight?+
The standard dose is 15 mg/kg per dose (the top of the safe 10–15 mg/kg range and the dose most likely to bring down a fever). A 15 kg child needs 225 mg per dose. Panadol Children's Syrup is 120 mg/5 ml (9.0 ml for a 15 kg child), Panadol 6+ is 250 mg/5 ml (4.5 ml). Check the label before measuring.
How often can I give paracetamol to a child?+
Give paracetamol every 4–6 hours, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Wait at least 4 hours between doses. See a doctor if the fever does not improve after 2–3 doses.
What concentration is Panadol syrup in Singapore?+
Panadol Children's Syrup is 120 mg of paracetamol per 5 ml. Panadol 6+ (for ages 6 and up) is 250 mg per 5 ml. Check the label and use the syringe that came with the bottle.
Can I give paracetamol and ibuprofen together?+
Rotate them rather than giving both at once. If the fever persists after one dose, wait the recommended interval before giving the other. See our ibuprofen dosage guide for ibuprofen timing and doses.
Can I give paracetamol to a baby under 3 months?+
Take any baby under 3 months with a fever to see a doctor before giving medicine. Standard dosing does not apply at this age.