Calpol dose by age: the parent's reference chart
It's the middle of the night, your toddler is hot and miserable, and you're staring at the side of the bottle squinting at the dosing instructions. You're not alone — "Calpol dose for a 2 year old" is one of the most-googled questions in the UK after 9pm.
This is the complete chart, copied straight from the current UK product labels and cross-checked against the NHS and BNF for Children. We've kept it brief and useful, with the source documents linked at the bottom in case you want to verify.
The quick answer
- Calpol Infant (120mg/5ml) is for ages 2 months to 6 years. Dose by age band: 2.5ml (3–6 mo), 5ml (6–24 mo), 7.5ml (2–4 yr), 10ml (4–6 yr).
- Calpol 6+ (250mg/5ml) is for ages 6 years and over. Dose by age band: 5ml (6–8 yr), 7.5ml (8–10 yr), 10ml (10–12 yr).
- Both: every 4 to 6 hours, maximum 4 doses in 24 hours. Don't use for more than 3 days without medical advice.
Calpol Infant dose chart (2 months – 6 years)
This is the standard pink Calpol bottle in most UK chemists. Active ingredient: paracetamol 120mg per 5ml.
| Age | Single dose | Max in 24h | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 months | 2.5ml | 2 | Post-vaccination fever only. Must be over 4kg, born after 37 weeks. For other causes, speak to a doctor first. |
| 3–6 months | 2.5ml | 4 | |
| 6 months – 2 years | 5ml | 4 | |
| 2–4 years | 7.5ml | 4 | |
| 4–6 years | 10ml | 4 |
The minimum gap between doses is 4 hours. The recommended gap is 4 to 6 hours. Don't give more than 4 doses in any 24-hour window.
Calpol 6+ dose chart (6–12 years)
The orange-labelled bottle. Active ingredient: paracetamol 250mg per 5ml — more than twice the concentration of Infant, so the volumes you give are smaller. Don't mix this up with the Infant bottle.
| Age | Single dose | Max in 24h |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 years | 5ml | 4 |
| 8–10 years | 7.5ml | 4 |
| 10–12 years | 10ml | 4 |
Same 4-hour minimum gap as Infant. The bottle also includes dosing for 12–16 years and adults, but for the rest of this guide we're focused on children up to 12.
Which Calpol should I use?
Pick the bottle that matches your child's age. The shorthand:
- Under 6: Calpol Infant (120mg/5ml).
- 6 and over: Calpol 6+ (250mg/5ml).
If you've only got the Infant bottle and your child is over 6, you can still use it — you'd just need a larger volume to deliver the same dose of paracetamol. We've written a separate post on this exact question: Calpol Infant vs Calpol 6+: which one when?
How to give it
- Use the syringe or spoon that came with the bottle. A kitchen teaspoon is not 5ml. The measuring device is calibrated for the exact concentration of that bottle.
- Give it slowly against the inside of the cheek, especially for babies. Squirting at the back of the throat causes choking and spitting.
- Note the time after each dose. The next-available time matters more than the dose itself for safety. (This is what Dosey is for, but a phone note or a kitchen whiteboard works too.)
Calpol doesn't seem to be working
Paracetamol takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working and peaks at about 1 to 2 hours. If you've given a dose and your child is still distressed after that window:
- Check the temperature. Calpol takes the edge off fever and pain, it doesn't cure either. A fever might come down by 1°C, not vanish.
- Make sure they're drinking. Dehydration makes everything feel worse.
- If the next dose is more than 2 hours away and your child is still uncomfortable, you might consider ibuprofen instead — but only if it's appropriate for them. See Can you give Calpol and Ibuprofen together? for the rules on combining or alternating.
- If you've given two doses and there's no improvement at all, call 111 or your GP. The medicine handles symptoms; you may need to look at the cause.
Frequently asked questions
How much Calpol can I give my 2 year old?
A 2 year old can have 7.5ml of Calpol Infant Suspension (120mg/5ml) up to 4 times in 24 hours, with at least 4 hours between doses. Don't use it for more than 3 days without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.
How much Calpol for a 1 year old?
A 1 year old (12 months) can have 5ml of Calpol Infant Suspension up to 4 times in 24 hours. The 5ml dose covers the entire 6-month to 2-year band.
How much Calpol for a 7 year old?
A 7 year old should be on Calpol 6+ (250mg/5ml) at 5ml per dose, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. If you only have Calpol Infant at home, you can use it — see our Infant vs 6+ guide.
When should I switch from Calpol Infant to Calpol 6+?
On your child's 6th birthday. Calpol Infant is licensed for ages 2 months to 6 years. Calpol 6+ is licensed for ages 6 years and over.
Can I give Calpol to a newborn?
No — Calpol Infant Suspension is not licensed for babies under 2 months. Between 2 and 3 months it's only recommended for post-vaccination fever, with weight and gestational-age conditions. For any other reason in this age group, speak to a doctor or pharmacist first.
How often can I give Calpol?
Every 4 to 6 hours, up to a maximum of 4 doses in any 24-hour period. The 4-hour minimum is firm.
What if I give too much Calpol?
Call NHS 111 or your GP immediately, even if your child seems fine. Paracetamol overdose can damage the liver and the symptoms aren't always obvious in the first few hours. Don't wait.
Can I give Calpol on an empty stomach?
Yes — unlike ibuprofen, Calpol can be given with or without food. It doesn't typically irritate the stomach.
How Dosey helps
The dosing chart on the bottle gets you the right amount per dose. The hard part is keeping track of when you gave it, especially at 3am with a feverish child and a sleep-deprived brain. Dosey records every dose in two taps and shows you exactly when the next one becomes available, without you having to do mental arithmetic. Free for one child, £6.99 one-time for the whole household.
This isn't medical advice. Dosey is a record-keeping tool, not a clinic. The dosing instructions on your specific bottle, and your GP or pharmacist, are the source of truth. If you're worried about your child, call NHS 111 (free) or your GP.