The Parkland formula calculator determines the total volume of Lactated Ringer's solution required for 24-hour fluid resuscitation of burn patients. The formula — 4 mL × weight in kg × %TBSA — is the international standard for burn fluid management in patients with second and third degree burns exceeding 15–20% of total body surface area. Half the calculated volume is given in the first 8 hours from the time of burn injury, and the remaining half over the next 16 hours.
A 70 kg patient with 30% TBSA burns:
Remember: the 8-hour clock starts at the time of injury, not hospital arrival. Titrate to a urine output of 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/hr and follow your local burns protocol.
The 8-hour clock starts from the time of burn injury, not time of arrival at hospital. If 2 hours have passed since the burn, the first half must be given in the remaining 6 hours.
Titrate fluid rate to maintain urine output of 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/hr in adults and 1 mL/kg/hr in children.
Burns involving >20% TBSA in adults and >15% in children generally require formal fluid resuscitation.
The Parkland formula uses Lactated Ringer's solution (also called Hartmann's solution). Normal saline is avoided due to the risk of hyperchloraemic acidosis with the large volumes required.
The clock starts from the time of burn injury, not the time of hospital admission. If a patient arrives 2 hours after the burn, the first half of the 24-hour volume must be given in the remaining 6 hours (not 8). This is a critical point frequently missed in clinical practice.