Calculator inputs
Choose a calculation mode, enter the ordered basis, and the tool will produce exact, rounded, split-dose, and equivalent-dose views.
Example data table
Illustrative math examples only. These rows are not patient-specific prescriptions.
| Mode | Steroid | Inputs | Estimated daily dose | Split dosing example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mg/kg/day | Prednisolone | 18 kg, 1 mg/kg/day | 18 mg/day | 9 mg twice daily |
| mg/m²/day | Hydrocortisone | 25 kg, 120 cm, 10 mg/m²/day | About 9.1 mg/day | 4.55 mg twice daily |
| Fixed mg/day | Dexamethasone | 6 mg/day | 6 mg/day | 6 mg once daily |
| Equivalent conversion | Methylprednisolone | Prednisone 20 mg/day | 16 mg/day | 8 mg twice daily |
Formula used
- Weight-based: Daily dose = weight in kilograms × ordered mg/kg/day.
- BSA-based: BSA = √(height in cm × weight in kg ÷ 3600).
- BSA daily dose: Daily dose = BSA × ordered mg/m²/day.
- Equivalent conversion: Target daily dose = source daily dose × target equivalent dose ÷ source equivalent dose.
- Per-dose amount: Per-dose amount = final daily dose ÷ doses per day.
- Total course dose: Course total = rounded daily dose × number of days.
How to use this calculator
- Select the calculation mode that matches the order or protocol you already have.
- Choose the target steroid you want the final dose shown in.
- Enter weight, height, or source dose only where the selected mode needs them.
- Add doses per day to split the total daily amount into administrations.
- Use maximum daily dose when a protocol sets a hard ceiling.
- Use rounding increment to reflect tablet strengths or dispensing practicality.
- Optionally enter tablet strength or liquid concentration for unit-level estimates.
- Review the equivalent-dose chart and summary before exporting CSV or PDF.
Frequently asked questions
1) What does this calculator do?
It calculates a steroid daily total, split dose, rounded dose, course total, and equivalent glucocorticoid doses using standard potency references.
2) Does it choose the right steroid for a diagnosis?
No. It performs dose math only. Drug choice, indication, frequency, tapering, and monitoring must come from a clinician or local protocol.
3) Why are equivalent doses useful?
Equivalent doses help compare anti-inflammatory effect when switching between common systemic steroids such as hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone.
4) What is the difference between mg/kg/day and mg/m²/day?
mg/kg/day scales to body weight. mg/m²/day scales to body surface area and may be used when protocols are written around size-adjusted exposure.
5) Why is there a rounding field?
Rounding helps convert exact math into more practical dispensing amounts, such as half tablets, quarter tablets, or measurable liquid volumes.
6) Why is tapering not calculated automatically?
Tapering depends on indication, duration, previous exposure, adrenal suppression risk, and patient response. A universal taper formula would be unsafe.
7) Should I use the capped or uncapped daily dose?
Use the capped result only when your protocol or order includes a maximum daily limit. Otherwise, the exact uncapped math remains visible for review.
8) When should this calculator not be used alone?
Do not rely on it alone for emergency treatment, diagnosis-specific regimens, adrenal crisis, chemotherapy protocols, or any patient needing immediate clinical judgment.