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Parkland Formula Calculator

Calculates the first 24-hour crystalloid volume for burn resuscitation from body weight and percent total body surface area burned (4 mL × kg × %TBSA), split into the first 8 hours and the next 16 hours with hourly rates.

When to use

You need the Parkland (Baxter) starting fluid estimate for an adult with a burn of about 20% TBSA or more.

Do not use when: Burns are small (<15–20% TBSA in adults, <10% in children), for electrical or inhalation injury, or for the ongoing rate, which must be titrated to urine output rather than the formula.

Formula

total_24h_ml = ml_per_kg_per_percent × weight_kg × tbsa_percent; first_8h_ml = next_16h_ml = total / 2; rates = first_8h_ml / 8 and next_16h_ml / 16

Baxter and Shires (1968) derived 4 mL/kg/%TBSA of lactated Ringer's; the 8-hour clock starts at the time of burn, and the ABA advises adjusting the rate to a urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/h in adults because formula volumes often over-resuscitate. Results are informational only and not a substitute for clinical judgement or medical advice.

Inputs

Parameter	Type	Unit	Required	Description
`weight_kg`	number	kg	yes	Body weight in kilograms. Range: > 0, ≤ 500
`tbsa_percent`	number	% TBSA	yes	Percent of total body surface area with partial- or full-thickness burns (exclude superficial burns). Range: > 0, ≤ 100
`ml_per_kg_per_percent`	number	mL/kg/%TBSA	default 4	4 for the classic Parkland formula; 2–3 for the modified Brooke / ABA consensus range. Range: ≥ 2, ≤ 4

Outputs

Output	Type	Unit	Description
`total_24h_ml`	number	mL	factor × weight × %TBSA.
`total_24h_liters`	number	L	Same volume in litres.
`first_8h_ml`	number	mL	Half of the total, given in the first 8 hours from the time of injury.
`first_8h_rate_ml_per_h`	number	mL/h	first_8h_ml / 8.
`next_16h_ml`	number	mL	Remaining half over the following 16 hours.
`next_16h_rate_ml_per_h`	number	mL/h	next_16h_ml / 16.

Example

70 kg, 30% TBSA: {"weight_kg":70,"tbsa_percent":30} → {"total_24h_ml":8400,"total_24h_liters":8.4,"first_8h_ml":4200,"first_8h_rate_ml_per_h":525,"next_16h_ml":4200,"next_16h_rate_ml_per_h":262.5}

80 kg, 45% TBSA: {"weight_kg":80,"tbsa_percent":45,"ml_per_kg_per_percent":4} → {"total_24h_ml":14400,"first_8h_rate_ml_per_h":900,"next_16h_rate_ml_per_h":450}

GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/parkland-formula?weight_kg=70&tbsa_percent=30

Machine access

API: GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/parkland-formula (query parameters) or POST with a JSON body {"inputs": {...}}
Schema: https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculators/parkland-formula · Markdown: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/parkland-formula.md · JSON definition: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/parkland-formula.json
MCP: server https://tttkmbb.com/mcp, tool run_calculator with calculator_id="parkland-formula"
OpenAPI operationId: calculate_parkland_fluids
Freshness: static. Authentication: none. Rate limit: fair use (see rate limits).

Sources

FAQ

What if fluids start 2 hours after the burn?

The first-8-hour half is still due 8 hours after the injury, so the remaining volume is given over 6 hours at a proportionally higher rate.

How is %TBSA estimated?

Rule of nines or a Lund-Browder chart for children; the patient's palm (including fingers) is about 1% TBSA. Only partial- and full-thickness burns count.

Related calculators

Maintenance Fluids Calculator — Children also need maintenance fluids in addition to resuscitation volume.
Body Surface Area Calculator — Absolute body surface area from height and weight.