Children’s Tylenol Dosage Chart by Weight: Pediatric Drops vs. Chewable Tablets

When a child has a fever or pain, acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—can help. The safest way to choose a dose is by your child’s weight, not age alone. This guide explains Tylenol dosage for children by weight and compares liquid pediatric drops with chewable tablets.

The chart below applies only to products containing acetaminophen 160 mg per 5 mL and chewable tablets containing 160 mg each. Always check the Drug Facts label before giving medicine, because products with similar names may have different strengths.

Children’s Tylenol dosage chart by weight

Child’s weight	Liquid dose: 160 mg/5 mL	Approximate acetaminophen dose	160 mg chewable tablets
6–11 lb	1.25 mL	40 mg	Not practical; ask a doctor
12–17 lb	2.5 mL	80 mg	Not practical; ask a doctor
18–23 lb	3.75 mL	120 mg	Not practical; ask a doctor
24–35 lb	5 mL	160 mg	1 tablet
36–47 lb	7.5 mL	240 mg	1½ tablets
48–59 lb	10 mL	320 mg	2 tablets
60–71 lb	12.5 mL	400 mg	2½ tablets
72–95 lb	15 mL	480 mg	3 tablets

These doses are consistent with standard pediatric acetaminophen dosing guidance from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and product labeling reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The usual dose is approximately 10–15 mg per kilogram of body weight every 4–6 hours as needed.

Do not give more than five doses in 24 hours unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to do so.

Pediatric drops versus children’s liquid medicine

Many parents use the term “pediatric drops” for liquid Tylenol. In the United States, current infant and children’s acetaminophen liquids are commonly made in the same concentration: 160 mg per 5 mL. However, older products and products sold in other countries may be more concentrated.

This difference matters. Never assume that a number of drops or milliliters from one bottle applies to another bottle. Read the concentration carefully:

• 160 mg/5 mL is the concentration used in the chart above.
• Some older infant products were much more concentrated, such as 80 mg/0.8 mL.
• A dose measured for an older concentrated product could result in too much medicine if used with a newer product.
• Do not use a household teaspoon. Use the oral syringe or dosing device supplied with the medicine.
• Measure liquid medicine at eye level on a flat surface when possible.

If the bottle does not clearly show the acetaminophen concentration, or if you are unsure whether the product is a dropper product or an oral suspension, ask a pharmacist before giving it.

How to use chewable tablets safely

Chewable tablets may be convenient for children who can chew reliably without choking. The standard children’s chewable tablet contains 160 mg of acetaminophen, which is equal to 5 mL of the 160 mg/5 mL liquid.

For example:

• A child weighing 24–35 pounds receives 1 tablet.
• A child weighing 36–47 pounds receives 1½ tablets.
• A child weighing 48–59 pounds receives 2 tablets.

Some children cannot safely chew tablets, particularly toddlers or children with swallowing difficulties. Do not force a tablet into a child’s mouth. Use the appropriate liquid formulation instead and ask a healthcare professional if you are uncertain.

Do not substitute adult tablets without checking the strength. Adult regular-strength tablets are often 325 mg, while extra-strength tablets may contain 500 mg. These are not interchangeable with children’s 160 mg chewables.

Important acetaminophen safety rules

Acetaminophen is safe when used correctly, but too much can seriously injure the liver. Medication errors commonly happen when caregivers combine products or repeat a dose too soon.

Keep these points in mind:

• Check every medicine’s active ingredients. Acetaminophen may also be called APAP.
• Do not give Tylenol at the same time as another medicine that contains acetaminophen, including some cold, cough, allergy, or prescription products.
• Wait at least 4 hours between doses, and usually give it only when your child has pain or discomfort or is clearly bothered by a fever.
• Do not exceed five doses in 24 hours.
• Write down the time and amount of each dose, especially if more than one adult is caring for the child.
• Store medicine out of children’s reach and keep it in the original container.
• Do not give aspirin to children unless a doctor specifically directs you to do so.

For babies younger than 12 weeks, contact a doctor before giving acetaminophen. A fever in a very young infant may need prompt medical assessment, even if the baby otherwise appears comfortable.

What if your child spits up or vomits a dose?

If your child vomits immediately after taking liquid medicine, do not automatically repeat the dose. It may be difficult to know how much was absorbed. Contact a pharmacist, pediatrician, or poison control service for individualized advice. If your child vomits repeatedly, cannot keep fluids down, or appears unusually sleepy or unwell, seek medical care.

If you think your child received too much acetaminophen, get help immediately—even if the child seems fine. Early overdose symptoms can be mild or absent, while liver injury may develop later. In the United States, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If your child is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, collapses, or has a seizure, call emergency services.

When to speak to a doctor

Speak to a doctor if your child has a serious or persistent illness, if you are unsure about the correct dose, or if medicine is not helping. Medical advice is especially important when a child:

• Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Has trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, a seizure, severe weakness, or is difficult to wake
• Has a stiff neck, severe headache, unusual confusion, or a rapidly worsening condition
• Shows signs of dehydration, such as very little urine, a dry mouth, no tears, or unusual sleepiness
• Has severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or a rash with fever
• Has a fever lasting more than a few days or recurring frequently
• Has liver disease, takes several medicines, or weighs far less or more than expected for their age

For help thinking through symptoms before you call, you might consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker. It should not replace an examination or urgent medical care.

Weight-based dosing is a useful safety tool, but it is not a substitute for professional advice when a child may be seriously ill. If anything seems life threatening or serious, speak to a doctor or seek emergency care promptly.