Insulin Dosage Calculator

Current Blood Glucose (mg/dL):

Target Blood Glucose (mg/dL):

Carbohydrates to Consume (grams):

Insulin-to-Carb Ratio:

1 unit per 10g carbs

Correction Factor:

1 unit lowers by 50 mg/dL

Calculation Formulas:
• Carb Dose = Carbohydrates ÷ Insulin-to-Carb Ratio
• Correction Dose = (Current BG - Target BG) ÷ Correction Factor
• Total Dose = Carb Dose + Correction Dose

Important: This calculator is for informational purposes only. Insulin requirements vary by individual. Never adjust your insulin regimen without consulting your healthcare provider.

How to Use Our Insulin Dosage Calculator

This calculator helps estimate your insulin needs based on your current blood sugar, carbohydrate intake, and personal insulin sensitivity factors.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Enter Your Current Blood Glucose

Measure your current blood sugar level (in mg/dL)
Enter the value in the “Current Blood Glucose” field
Example: If your reading is 180 mg/dL, enter “180”

Set Your Target Blood Glucose

The calculator defaults to 100 mg/dL (a common target)
Adjust this to match your personal target if different
Typical range: 80-120 mg/dL

Enter Carbohydrate Amount

Estimate the grams of carbohydrates in your meal
Example: For a meal with 45g carbs, enter “45”

Set Your Insulin-to-Carb Ratio

This is how many grams of carbs 1 unit of insulin covers for you
Default is 1:10 (1 unit per 10g carbs)
Adjust to your personal ratio (e.g., 1:15 if you’re more sensitive)

Set Your Correction Factor

This is how much 1 unit of insulin lowers your blood sugar
Default is 50 mg/dL (1 unit on an average lowers Blood Glucose by 50)
Adjust to your personal factor (e.g., 30 if you’re less sensitive)

Calculate Your Insulin Dose

Click the “Calculate Insulin Dose” button
The calculator will show your recommended dose

Understanding the Results

The calculator provides three important numbers:

Carb Dose

Insulin needed to cover the carbs in your meal
Calculated as: Carbs ÷ Insulin-to-Carb Ratio

Correction Dose

Additional insulin needed to bring high blood sugar down to target
Calculated as: (Current BG – Target BG) ÷ Correction Factor

Total Dose (Recommended Dose)

Sum of carb dose and correction dose
This is the suggested insulin amount to take

Questions and Answers on Insulin Dosage Calculator

1. What is the total insulin dose?

Scenario:

Current BG: 300 mg/dL
Carbs: 75g
Insulin-to-Carb Ratio: 1:12
Correction Factor: 30

Answer:

Carb Dose: 75g ÷ 12 = 6.25 units
Correction Dose: (300 – 100) ÷ 30 = 6.67 units
Total Dose: 6.25 + 6.67 ≈ 12.9 units

Explanation: This combines insulin for both the meal (carbs) and high blood sugar correction. The smaller correction factor (30) means the user is less sensitive to insulin, requiring more units to lower BG.

2: Post-Meal Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose)

Emma is about to eat dinner. Her current blood glucose is 210 mg/dL (her target is 100 mg/dL). Her meal contains 60g of carbohydrates. Her endocrinologist prescribed an insulin-to-carb ratio of 1:12 and a correction factor of 40. How much rapid-acting insulin should she administer?

Answer:

- Carb Dose: 60g ÷ 12 = 5 units
- Correction Dose: (210 – 100) ÷ 40 = 2.75 units
- Total Dose: 5 + 2.75 = 7.75 units ≈ 8 units (rounded to 8 units)

Round doses to the nearest half or whole unit based on your insulin delivery method.

3: Hypoglycemia Risk Assessment

Liam wakes up with a fasting blood glucose of 190 mg/dL (his target is 90 mg/dL). He plans to eat a breakfast containing 50g of carbohydrates. His prescribed insulin-to-carb ratio is 1:10, and his correction factor is 30. How much rapid-acting insulin should he administer to cover both his meal and high blood sugar?

Answer:

Carb Dose: 50g ÷ 10 = 5 units
Correction Dose: (190 -90) ÷ 30 = 3.3 units
Total Dose: 3.3 + 5 = 8.3 units ≈ 8 units (rounded to 8 units)

Insulin Dosage Calculator