Large burns cause massive fluid shifts into tissues. The Parkland formula, developed by Charles Baxter in Dallas, is the most widely used starting point; the rate is then adjusted to keep urine output at about 0.5 mL/kg/h in adults (1 mL/kg/h in children).
How to use the Parkland Formula Calculator
- Weight
- Burned area (%TBSA)
- Formula
- Hours since the burn
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter weight, the percentage of total body surface area with partial- or full-thickness burns (not superficial), and hours since the burn.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Weight | Units: kg, lb, st, g |
| Burned area (%TBSA) | In % |
| Formula | Choose one: Parkland (4 mL/kg/%), Modified Brooke (2 mL/kg/%) |
| Hours since the burn | A number |
What each result means
- Fluid in the first 24 hours = [Formula]×[Weight]×[Burned area (%TBSA)]
- First 8 hours = [Fluid in the first 24 hours]÷2
- Rate for the rest of the first 8 hours = [First 8 hours]÷(8 – min([Hours since the burn], 7.5))
- Rate for the next 16 hours = [Fluid in the first 24 hours]÷2÷16
- Target urine output = [Weight]×0.5
Example values
How the main result changes when Weight changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Weight (kg) | Fluid in the first 24 hours (mL) |
|---|---|
| 35 | 4,200 |
| 52.5 | 6,300 |
| 70 | 8,400 |
| 87.5 | 10,500 |
| 105 | 12,600 |
| 140 | 16,800 |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Total fluid (mL) = 4 × weight (kg) × %TBSA burned
First 8 hours (from the time of the burn): half · next 16 hours: the other half
(Modified Brooke: 2 mL × kg × %TBSA)
Worked example
Inputs — Weight: 70 kg; Burned area (%TBSA): 30 %; Formula: Parkland (4 mL/kg/%); Hours since the burn: 1.
Results — Fluid in the first 24 hours = 8,400 mL; First 8 hours = 4,200 mL; Rate for the rest of the first 8 hours = 600 mL/h; Rate for the next 16 hours = 263 mL/h; Target urine output = 35 mL/h.
Key terms
- TBSA
- Total body surface area.
Frequently asked questions
Do superficial burns count?
No – only partial- and full-thickness burns count towards %TBSA.
When does the 8 hours start?
From the time of the burn, not hospital arrival.
Is the formula exact?
No – titrate fluid to urine output to avoid under- or over-resuscitation.