Motrin / Advil · For clinicians and parents
Ibuprofen dose per kg for children
For children 6 months up to 2 years, the FDA prescribing label for ibuprofen suspension gives 5 mg/kg for a fever below 102.5°F, and 10 mg/kg for a fever of 102.5°F or higher or for pain, every 6 to 8 hours, up to 40 mg/kg a day. For older children, 10 mg/kg is the usual single dose, and the over-the-counter chart allows 4 doses in 24 hours. Don’t use it under 6 months unless a doctor advises it.
Source: U.S. FDA label via DailyMed · Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Dose per kg calculator
Ibuprofen mg/kg at a glance
| Situation | Dose | Children’s 100 mg/5 mL | Infants’ 50 mg/1.25 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever under 102.5°F6 months to 2 years | 5 mg/kg | 0.25 mL/kg | 0.125 mL/kg |
| Fever 102.5°F or higher, or pain6 months to 2 years; usual dose from 2 years | 10 mg/kg | 0.5 mL/kg | 0.25 mL/kg |
| Maximum in 24 hours6 months to 2 years (FDA label) | 40 mg/kg | 2 mL/kg | 1 mL/kg |
6 months to 2 years: U.S. FDA label via DailyMed. 10 mg/kg from 2 years: Italian Journal of Pediatrics. mL per kg is arithmetic on the product strengths.
mg/kg and the parent chart
Over-the-counter charts give one fixed dose per weight band, which works out close to 10 mg/kg. See the full Motrin chart. The mg/kg dose is useful for children at the edge of a band, and for checking a prescription.
Common questions
What is the ibuprofen dose per kg for a child?
For children 6 months up to 2 years, the FDA label gives 5 mg/kg for a fever under 102.5°F, or 10 mg/kg for a higher fever or for pain, every 6 to 8 hours, up to 40 mg/kg a day. For older children, 10 mg/kg is the usual single dose.
What is 10 mg/kg of ibuprofen in mL?
In Children’s liquid (100 mg/5 mL), 10 mg/kg is 0.5 mL per kg. In Infants’ drops (50 mg/1.25 mL), it’s 0.25 mL per kg.
Can babies under 6 months have ibuprofen?
Not unless their doctor tells you to.
Sources
- Ibuprofen Oral Suspension USP, 100 mg/5 mL: prescribing information, Dosage and Administration. U.S. FDA label via DailyMed (Padagis, rev. 12-24). Checked 2026-09-25.
- Adverse reactions to acetaminophen and ibuprofen in pediatric patients: a narrative review (Vassallo et al.). Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2025 (PMC12570521). Checked 2026-09-25.
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) Dose Table. St. Louis Children's Hospital (Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines). Checked 2026-09-18.