Parkland Formula Calculator
Calculate burn injury fluid resuscitation requirements using the Parkland Formula for emergency burn care.
Enter body weight, % total body surface area burned, time since injury, and patient type to calculate 24-hour fluid requirements and administration rates.
Parkland Formula Calculator
Calculate burn injury fluid resuscitation requirements using the Parkland Formula for emergency burn care.
Click any example to load it into the calculator.
About the Parkland Formula Calculator
The Parkland Formula is the most widely used method for calculating intravenous fluid resuscitation requirements in patients with significant burn injuries. It was developed at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, through extensive clinical research and represents a cornerstone of modern burn care. The formula provides a systematic, evidence-based approach to the massive fluid shifts that occur in the first 24 hours following a thermal injury.
When a burn injury occurs, the intense local and systemic inflammatory response causes a dramatic increase in capillary permeability. Plasma proteins and fluid leak from the intravascular space into the interstitial space, a process known as third spacing. This leads to hypovolemia, which, if left untreated, progresses to hypovolemic shock, acute kidney injury, and multi-organ failure. Adequate early fluid resuscitation counteracts these effects and is one of the most critical interventions in burn care.
The Parkland Formula is: Total fluid (mL) = 4 × Body Weight (kg) × % Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned. The calculated volume represents the total crystalloid fluid — typically Lactated Ringer's solution — to be administered over the first 24 hours from the time of injury, not from the time resuscitation is started. This distinction is important: if resuscitation is delayed, the remaining fluid must be given in less than 24 hours.
The 24-hour total is divided into two phases. Fifty percent of the calculated volume is administered in the first 8 hours from the time of injury. The remaining 50% is given over the subsequent 16 hours. This front-loading strategy addresses the peak period of capillary leakage, which is most severe in the first 8 hours. The resulting hourly infusion rates guide the clinical team in setting IV pump rates.
Only second-degree (partial thickness) and third-degree (full thickness) burns are included in the TBSA calculation. First-degree (superficial) burns, which affect only the epidermis and do not cause significant fluid shifts, are excluded. TBSA is commonly estimated using the Rule of Nines in adults (head and neck 9%, each arm 9%, each leg 18%, anterior trunk 18%, posterior trunk 18%) or the Lund-Browder chart for pediatric patients, where body proportions differ significantly from adults.
The Parkland Formula is a starting point, not a fixed protocol. Fluid rates must be continuously adjusted based on clinical response. The primary monitoring parameter is urine output, which should be maintained at 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/hour in adults and 1.0–1.5 mL/kg/hour in children. Both under-resuscitation (leading to shock and organ failure) and over-resuscitation (causing pulmonary edema, abdominal compartment syndrome, and extremity compartment syndrome) carry serious risks.
Parkland Formula Examples
| Patient | Total 24-hour Fluid | First 8 h / Next 16 h |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 75 kg, 40% TBSA, 1 h since burn | 12,000 mL | First 8 h: 6,000 mL (857 mL/hr); next 16 h: 6,000 mL (375 mL/hr) |
| Adult 65 kg, 25% TBSA, 2 h since burn | 6,500 mL | First 8 h: 3,250 mL (542 mL/hr); next 16 h: 3,250 mL (203 mL/hr) |
| Pediatric 30 kg, 15% TBSA, 1 h since burn | 1,800 mL | First 8 h: 900 mL (129 mL/hr); next 16 h: 900 mL (56 mL/hr) |
| Adult 80 kg, 8% TBSA, 3 h since burn | 2,560 mL | First 8 h: 1,280 mL (256 mL/hr); next 16 h: 1,280 mL (80 mL/hr) |
How to Use the Parkland Formula Calculator
- Enter the patient's body weight in kilograms. Use measured weight if available; estimate based on height and habitus if necessary.
- Enter the total body surface area burned as a percentage. Include only 2nd and 3rd degree burns — exclude 1st degree (superficial) burns, which do not cause significant fluid shifts.
- Enter the time since the burn injury in hours. This is the time from the moment of injury, not from when resuscitation started. The calculator adjusts the remaining volume to account for any delay.
- Select the patient type (Adult or Pediatric) and burn depth for clinical context. Click 'Calculate' to see the 24-hour total fluid volume, the amounts for each phase, and the recommended hourly infusion rates.
- Use the results as a starting point. Monitor urine output closely and titrate IV fluid rates to maintain 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr in adults or 1–1.5 mL/kg/hr in children. Reassess hourly and adjust as clinically indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fluid is used in the Parkland Formula?
The Parkland Formula was originally validated using Lactated Ringer's (LR) solution, which remains the standard crystalloid for burn resuscitation. Normal saline is generally avoided in large volumes due to the risk of hyperchloremic acidosis.
Why is only half the fluid given in the first 8 hours?
Capillary permeability and fluid extravasation are greatest in the first 8 hours after a burn. Front-loading 50% of the 24-hour volume during this period compensates for the peak fluid losses and helps prevent hypovolemic shock. The remaining 50% is given more slowly over the next 16 hours as capillary integrity begins to recover.
Should 1st degree burns be included in the TBSA calculation?
No. First-degree (superficial) burns affect only the epidermis and do not cause significant plasma leakage or fluid shifts. Only 2nd degree (partial thickness) and 3rd degree (full thickness) burns are included in the TBSA percentage used in the Parkland Formula.
What is the target urine output during burn resuscitation?
Urine output is the primary clinical endpoint for monitoring the adequacy of fluid resuscitation. The target is 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/hour in adults and 1.0–1.5 mL/kg/hour in children. Output consistently above or below these targets indicates a need to adjust the infusion rate.
Are there modifications of the Parkland Formula?
Yes. The Modified Brooke Formula uses 2 mL/kg/%TBSA and is preferred by some centers. The Galveston Formula is used specifically for pediatric patients. Research on colloid administration timing and the risks of 'fluid creep' (over-resuscitation) have also led to modified protocols that include albumin in the second 24-hour period.
What burns require Parkland Formula resuscitation?
Burns involving 20% or more TBSA in adults, or 15% or more in children and the elderly, generally require IV fluid resuscitation. Smaller burns may be managed with oral fluids in selected patients. Patients with inhalation injury, electrical burns, or significant comorbidities may need more aggressive resuscitation.