Parkland Formula

Name: Parkland Formula calculator — MedScore
Creator: Nabil Alzein

Burn resuscitation volume for the first 24 h: 4 ml × kg × % TBSA, half in the first 8 h from the time of the burn — volume only

Body weight

Burned area (% TBSA, partial + full thickness)

Enter weight and % TBSA to calculate

About this score

When to use

Estimates the crystalloid volume for the first 24 hours after a burn as 4 mL × body weight × % TBSA, half within 8 hours of the injury and the rest over the next 16 hours. ⁦[1, 2]⁩

Pearls and pitfalls

• The 2008 American Burn Association consensus gives 2–4 mL/kg/% TBSA titrated to the response; the calculated volume is a starting estimate within the burn protocol. ⁦[3]⁩

• The 8 hours are counted from the time of the incident, and fluid given before admission counts toward the calculated volume. ⁦[2]⁩

Summarised from the numbered sources under Evidence. Check the source before relying on a statement.

Evidence

[1] Original publication

Baxter CR, Shires T. Physiological response to crystalloid resuscitation of severe burns. Origin of the crystalloid regimen known as the Parkland formula (3.5–4.5 ml of lactated Ringer’s per kg per % TBSA in the first 24 h, as summarised by Endorf & Dries 2011).

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1968

Open source

[2] Validation

Ete G, Chaturvedi G, Barreto E, et al. Effectiveness of Parkland formula in the estimation of resuscitation fluid volume in adult thermal burns. Uses 4 ml/kg/% TBSA, with half of the volume in the first 8 h from the time of the incident and the rest over the next 16 h; fluid given before admission counts toward the calculated volume.

Chinese Journal of Traumatology, 2019

Open source

[3] Guideline

Endorf FW, Dries DJ. Burn resuscitation. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2011 — summarises the 2008 American Burn Association consensus: crystalloid 2–4 ml/kg/% TBSA in the first 24 h, titrated to the response; children may need additional maintenance fluid. The calculated volume is a starting estimate; resuscitation follows the burn protocol and local pathway.

Open source

Last reviewed: 2026-10

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MedScore is an educational and clinical decision-support tool. It does not provide a diagnosis, a treatment, or a drug-dosing recommendation, and it does not replace clinical judgement or local guidelines. Confirm every result against the original source before acting on it. The treating clinician remains responsible for all decisions.