🔥 Parkland Formula Calculator
Initial fluid resuscitation for burn patients – 4 mL × weight (kg) × % TBSA
Used daily in emergency departments, trauma centers, and burn units. 100% client‑side, private.
💧 4 mL/kg/%TBSA
🕐 Half in first 8 hours
🩺 Lactated Ringer's
Patient weight in kilograms
Percentage of TBSA affected by partial or full thickness burns (excludes superficial/1st degree)
Total 24‑hour Fluid Requirement
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Lactated Ringer's solution
💧 First 8 hours
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from time of burn
💧 Next 16 hours
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remaining 16 hours
📋 Formula applied:
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⚠️ Important:
- Parkland formula is a guideline – adjust based on urine output (target 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr).
- Only for burns > 15–20% TBSA in adults.
- Do not include superficial (1st degree) burns.
- Initiate during first 24 hours post‑burn, not at the time of presentation.
📖 What is the Parkland Formula?
The Parkland formula (also known as the Baxter formula) is used to estimate the initial fluid resuscitation volume for burn patients in the first 24 hours after injury. It was developed by Dr. Charles Baxter at Parkland Hospital in the 1960s.
Formula: 4 mL × body weight (kg) × % TBSA burned
Fluid type: Lactated Ringer's (LR) solution
Administration: Half of the calculated volume is given in the first 8 hours from the time of burn, and the remaining half over the next 16 hours.
✨ Clinical Utility & Indications
- Indicated for: Burns ≥ 15–20% TBSA in adults
- Goal: Maintain urine output 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr
- Monitor: Clinical response, urine output, vital signs
- Adjustment: Increase rate if urine output below target; decrease if above target
💡 Pro tip: For children, add maintenance fluid (4–2–1 rule) in addition to Parkland resuscitation volume.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Including superficial (1st degree) burns – only partial and full thickness burns count.
- Using the formula at time of presentation instead of time of injury – calculate from burn time.
- Not adjusting for obesity – use ideal body weight in severely obese patients.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
For severely obese patients (BMI > 40), consider using ideal body weight. For underweight patients, the formula still uses actual weight, but monitor closely for over‑resuscitation.
Lactated Ringer's (LR) is preferred. Normal saline can cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Colloids are not recommended in the first 24 hours.
No. All calculations happen in your browser. No patient data is sent to any server.