Parkland Formula Calculator

Burn Fluid Resuscitation Guide

Calculate IV fluids for burn patients using the Parkland Formula Calculator.

Includes TBSA guide, first 8-hour, next 16-hour breakdown

Switch multiplier dropdown for different Parkland formula calculators

Modified Parkland Formula Calculator

Parkland Formula Calculator

Fluid Resuscitation Calculator for Burn Patients

Patient Weight (kg)

Total Burn Surface Area (%)

Multiplier (mL/kg/%)

Table Of Contents

Parkland Formula Calculator
- Calculate IV fluids for burn patients using the Parkland Formula Calculator.
Parkland Formula Calculator

1. What is Parkland Formula?

The Parkland formula is a clinical guideline used to estimate the initial intravenous (IV) fluid requirements for patients with major burn injuries during the first 24 hours after injury. It was developed at Parkland Memorial Hospital and remains one of the most widely used methods for early burn resuscitation worldwide.

2. What is Primary goal of Parkland Formula?

The primary goal of the Parkland formula is to:

Prevent burn shock

Maintain adequate tissue perfusion

Reduce the risk of organ failure

Support kidney function through appropriate urine output

3. Why to use Our Calculator?

Accuracy and context are key. Many online calculators simply give you a number and leave you to wonder what it means. Our interactive platform provides:

Complaint Grid

Real-time Visualization

See where you land on the spectrum instantly.

Data Privacy

All calculations happen locally; No personal metrics stored.

WHO Compliance

used Most up-to-date World Health Organization thresholds.

4. When Parkland Formula IS used?

The formula is typically used in:

Adults with burns ≥10–15% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)

Children with significant burns

Major thermal injuries requiring hospital admission

5. How to Use Parkland Formula?

The Parkland formula requires two essential inputs:

Patient body weight (kg)
Percentage of Total Body Surface Area burned (%TBSA)

1
Check Weight (kg)

2
Estimate %TBSA

3
4ml × kg × %TBSA

4
Total 24h Fluid

5
Half in First 8h

6
Half in Next 16h

7
Monitor Urine

8
Adjust Fluids

4. How the Parkland Formula Is Calculated??

Fluid requirement (mL) = 4 × body weight (kg) × %TBSA burned

The result gives the total fluid volume for the first 24 hours

50% of the calculated volume is given in the first 8 hours from the time of burn

The remaining 50% is given over the next 16 hours

6. How Much Fluid in First 8 Hours according to Parkland Formula?

50% of the total calculated fluid volume should be administered within the first 8 hours after the burn injury occurred (not from hospital arrival).

Delayed presentation requires adjusting the infusion rate to ensure the correct volume is delivered within the remaining time.

Early fluid delivery is critical to prevent:

Hypovolemic shock

Organ hypoperfusion

Acute kidney injury

7. How accurate is Parkland Formula?

The Parkland formula is a widely accepted guideline for initial fluid resuscitation in major burns, but it is not perfectly accurate. It provides a starting estimate based on body weight and %TBSA burned. However, individual needs vary due to age, inhalation injury, electrical burns, delayed treatment, and comorbidities. Many patients require adjustment to avoid under- or over-resuscitation (“fluid creep”). Therefore, accuracy depends on close monitoring of urine output, vitals, and clinical response rather than the formula alone.

Expert Tips:

Start fluids immediately and calculate from the exact time of burn, not hospital arrival. Reassess TBSA carefully to avoid overestimation. Use urine output (0.5 mL/kg/hr adults) as the primary guide for titration. Avoid excessive crystalloids to prevent edema and compartment syndrome. Consider invasive monitoring in severe cases. Remember, the formula guides initial therapy—clinical judgment determines ongoing management.

7. Interpretation Criteria

Factors to look for and take action

1️⃣ Initial Calculation Check

Confirm correct weight (kg).
Verify accurate %TBSA assessment.
Time starts from moment of burn, not hospital arrival.

2️⃣ Primary Clinical Endpoint

Urine Output (Most Important):
Adults: ≥ 0.5 mL/kg/hr
Children: ≥ 1 mL/kg/hr

3️⃣ Hemodynamic Monitoring

Stable blood pressure
Heart rate trending toward normal
Warm extremities, good capillary refill

4️⃣ Laboratory Indicators

Decreasing serum lactate
Improving base deficit
Stable electrolytes

5️⃣ Signs of Under-Resuscitation

Low urine output
Persistent tachycardia
Rising lactate

6️⃣ Over-Resuscitation (“Fluid Creep”)

Increasing edema
Pulmonary crackles
Compartment syndrome risk

✅ Final Principle

The formula guides initial therapy. Continuous reassessment and hourly fluid adjustment ensure safe, goal-directed burn resuscitation.

8. Parkland Formula – Result Interpretation Chart 📊

Parameter	Target Range	Interpretation	Action
Urine Output (Adults)	≥ 0.5 mL/kg/hr	Adequate perfusion	Continue current rate
	< 0.5 mL/kg/hr	Under-resuscitation	Increase fluids gradually
	> 1 mL/kg/hr	Possible over-resuscitation	Reduce fluid rate
Heart Rate	< 100 bpm (improving)	Stable	Monitor
	Persistent tachycardia	Inadequate perfusion	Reassess fluids
Blood Pressure	Stable MAP ≥ 65 mmHg	Adequate	Continue
	Hypotension	Shock risk	Increase fluids / evaluate
Serum Lactate	Decreasing	Good response	Continue
	Rising	Tissue hypoxia	Escalate management
Edema / Lung Signs	Minimal	Acceptable	Monitor
	Increasing edema/crackles	Fluid overload	Reduce fluids

Parkland Formula – Urine Output Monitoring (24 Hours)

Under (<0.5) Optimal (0.5–1.0) Over (>1.0)

9. Pediatric Considerations- Galveston Formula

In children:

Urine output targets are higher (1 mL/kg/hr)

Maintenance fluids must be added

Glucose-containing fluids may be required

10. What Is the Modified Parkland Formula?

The Modified Parkland Formula refines traditional burn resuscitation by slightly lowering the total calculated volume. It reduces complications while maintaining adequate circulation during the first 24 hours.

This approach is especially helpful in modern burn care settings where over-resuscitation is a known risk.

11. Difference Between Parkland and Modified Parkland Formula

Feature	Parkland Formula	Modified Parkland Formula
Fluid calculation	4 mL/kg/% TBSA	3–4 mL/kg/% TBSA
Purpose	Standard initial burn resuscitation	Reduce risk of over-resuscitation
Fluid type	Ringer’s Lactate	Ringer’s Lactate
First 8 hours	50% of total volume	50% of total volume
Next 16 hours	Remaining 50%	Remaining 50%
Risk of fluid overload	Higher	Lower
Current preference	Traditional teaching	Increasingly preferred in practice
Adjustment method	Based on urine output	Based on urine output

12. The Bottom Line

The Parkland formula is a reliable starting point for fluid resuscitation in major burns, providing an initial estimate based on weight and %TBSA. Its accuracy depends on careful assessment and continuous monitoring. Clinical endpoints, especially urine output, hemodynamics, and lab markers, guide adjustments. Individualized, goal-directed resuscitation ensures effective perfusion while minimizing risks of under- or over-resuscitation.

13. Freqeuently asker Questions

Yes, the Parkland formula can be used for children, but with modifications. Children have higher fluid and caloric needs and require maintenance fluids in addition to burn resuscitation. Urine output targets differ (≈1 mL/kg/hr). Close monitoring is essential to avoid over- or under-resuscitation, especially in infants and small children.

Ringer’s lactate is the preferred fluid for initial burn resuscitation.

When considering the Parkland formula for fluid resuscitation in burn patients, the standard calculation for adults generally involves administering 4 mL of intravenous fluids per kilogram of body weight for each percentage of total body surface area (%TBSA) burned. However, this isn’t a universally fixed rule; these volumes are frequently adjusted. For instance, children often receive a slightly lower amount, typically 3 mL.

When determining a patient’s maintenance fluid requirements, clinicians typically use what’s known as the ‘4-2-1 rule.’ This guideline specifies administering 4 milliliters per kilogram per hour for the first 10 kilograms of a patient’s body weight. For the next 10 kilograms, the rate decreases to 2 milliliters per kilogram per hour. Any weight beyond that initial 20 kilograms receives 1 milliliter per kilogram per hour. A crucial point to remember is that the overall hourly maintenance fluid volume should not surpass 100 milliliters.

No. It is generally reserved for burns involving ≥10–15% TBSA.

The Modified Parkland formula was introduced to address “fluid creep,” a problem seen with excessive resuscitation that can cause edema, compartment syndrome, and respiratory complications.

Many burn centers now prefer the Modified Parkland formula because it provides adequate resuscitation while minimizing complications related to over-resuscitation.

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Parkland Formula Calculator

Calculate IV fluids for burn patients using the Parkland Formula Calculator.

Parkland Formula Calculator

Total Fluid Requirement (First 24 Hours)

First 8 Hours

Next 16 Hours

1. What is Parkland Formula?

2. What is Primary goal of Parkland Formula?