Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) Pediatric Dose Calculator
Age-based vitamin D3 dosing for children — <1 year: 400 IU per dose · once daily; ≥1 year: 600 IU per dose · once daily. Enter age and weight for the dose in IU and drops mL or capsules.
Pediatric dosing
Prevention (daily supplementation)
Deficiency / nutritional rickets — daily treatment (12 weeks)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) dose chart by age and weight
Prevention (daily supplementation). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.
| Age | Weight | Dose (IU) | Drops 400 IU/mL | Drops 800 IU/mL | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 days | 3.8 kg | 400 IU | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | Once daily |
| 1 month | 4.3 kg | 400 IU | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | Once daily |
| 3 months | 6.1 kg | 400 IU | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | Once daily |
| 6 months | 7.6 kg | 400 IU | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | Once daily |
| 9 months | 8.6 kg | 400 IU | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | Once daily |
| 1 year | 9.3 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 18 months | 10.6 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 2 years | 11.8 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 3 years | 14.1 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 4 years | 16.2 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 5 years | 17.5 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 6 years | 19 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 8 years | 24.4 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 10 years | 31.1 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
| 12 years | 39.4 kg | 600 IU | 1.5 mL | 0.75 mL | Once daily |
Strengths in the calculator
- Drops 400 IU/mL (Oral)
- Drops 800 IU/mL (Oral)
- Drops 2000 IU/mL (Oral)
- Granules 60,000 IU sachet (Oral)
- Capsule 60,000 IU (Oral)
Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.
Safety
Contraindications and cautions
- Hypercalcaemia, vitamin D toxicity, sarcoidosis/granulomatous disease (specialist).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Legacy FDA category A. Supplementation at recommended doses is safe.
Compatible; breastfed infants need their own 400 IU daily supplement.
Clinical notes
Units are IU (40 IU = 1 microgram). Check the dropper strength every time — mega-dose errors cause hypercalcaemia. The 60,000 IU sachets and capsules are weekly or stoss products, never daily.
Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose
1000–2000 IU daily maintenance — Once daily (deficiency: per protocol, e.g. 60,000 IU weekly for 8 weeks).
Other names and brands
Also known as Cholecalciferol, Colecalciferol, Vitamin D.
Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the vitamin D3 dose for children?
Prevention (daily supplementation): <1 year: 400 IU per dose · once daily; ≥1 year: 600 IU per dose · once daily. Usual duration: Throughout infancy. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.
How many mL of drops 400 IU/mL for an 11.8 kg child?
For prevention (daily supplementation), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 600 IU per dose — 1.5 mL of Drops 400 IU/mL, once daily. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.
From what age can vitamin D3 be given?
Age range in PediaRx: Birth – adult. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.
Is vitamin D3 safe in pregnancy?
Legacy FDA category A. Supplementation at recommended doses is safe.
Sources and editorial process
- Global consensus recommendations on prevention and management of nutritional rickets (Munns et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016) — Endocrine Society et al.
- Prevention and treatment of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in children and adolescents: IAP guidelines (Indian Pediatr 2017;54:567–73) — Indian Academy of Pediatrics
Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.
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Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.
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