Insulin Dosage Calculators
Estimate a total daily insulin dose, a weight-based starting dose, and mealtime amounts — with dedicated tools for type 1, type 2, pediatric, pregnancy and canine dosing. Educational estimates built on cited clinical formulas.
⚖️ Weight-Based & Total Daily Dose
Estimate a total daily dose from body weight, derive carb ratio and sensitivity factor, and size a mealtime bolus.
Insulin Dose Calculator
TDD, basal/bolus split, ICR and ISF — all from body weight and diabetes type.
Dose by Weight Calculator
Weight-based dose estimation using the standard 0.4–0.6 u/kg/day formula.
Weight-Based Insulin Dosing
Adjustable dose factor with full formula display for educational dosing review.
Total Daily Dose (TDD)
Calculate or enter TDD to derive your carb ratio and sensitivity factor automatically.
Starting Dose Calculator
Conservative starting-dose estimate for insulin-naïve patients (type 2).
Mealtime Insulin Dose
Enter carb grams and your insulin-to-carb ratio to estimate a mealtime bolus.
Humalog Dose Calculator
Calculate your exact Humalog (insulin lispro) dose for meals and corrections.
🩸 By Diabetes Type & Life Stage
Dosing differs by diabetes type and life stage — type 1, children, pregnancy, and even dogs.
Type 1 Diabetes Calculator
Type 1–specific TDD, basal-bolus split, ICR and correction factor estimates.
Pediatric Insulin Dosing
Weight-based pediatric starting estimates. Specialist consultation required.
Pregnancy / Gestational
Adjusted dose factors for pregnancy and gestational diabetes. OB/GYN oversight essential.
Dog Insulin Calculator
Veterinary reference for canine insulin dosing. Always consult your vet.
How insulin doses are estimated
Most starting doses begin from body weight. A weight-based estimate sets the total daily dose (TDD) — all the insulin used across 24 hours — which is then divided into background (basal) and mealtime (bolus) insulin.
Weight-based starting estimate
Example: a 70 kg adult at 0.5 u/kg → about 35 units/day, roughly 17–18 units basal and 17–18 units bolus to start. The bolus half is then translated into per-meal doses using the insulin-to-carb ratio (ICR) and a correction with the insulin sensitivity factor (ISF).
Newly diagnosed and insulin-sensitive people usually start at the lower end; insulin resistance, illness and steroids push the requirement higher. These figures are a launch point that your care team refines from real glucose readings.
Starting doses by diabetes type & life stage
Type 1 diabetes
Because the body makes little or no insulin, type 1 needs a full basal-bolus regimen from the start, often around 0.5 units/kg/day (lower during the honeymoon period), split between long-acting basal and rapid-acting mealtime insulin.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 usually starts with a single basal insulin — about 10 units/day or 0.1–0.2 units/kg/day — added to oral medicines and titrated to the fasting glucose target, with mealtime insulin added only if needed.
Children & pregnancy
Pediatric doses are weight-based, small and frequently re-titrated as a child grows, and must be specialist-led. In pregnancy and gestational diabetes, insulin resistance rises so requirements often climb through the second and third trimesters, then fall sharply after birth — all under close obstetric supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my total daily insulin dose?
A weight-based estimate uses about 0.4–0.6 units per kilogram per day, so a 70 kg adult starts around 28–42 units/day. The total daily dose (TDD) is then split into basal and bolus insulin. It's a starting estimate only — your care team sets and adjusts the real dose from your glucose data.
How much insulin do I need per day?
It varies with body weight, diabetes type, insulin sensitivity, diet and activity. Typical starting estimates are 0.4–0.6 units/kg/day for many adults, lower for newly diagnosed or insulin-sensitive people and higher with insulin resistance. Only a clinician can confirm your dose.
How is the insulin dose split between basal and bolus?
A common starting point is roughly 50% basal (background) and 50% bolus (mealtime and correction), with the bolus portion divided across meals using your insulin-to-carb ratio. The split is individualized from your glucose patterns.
What is a starting insulin dose for type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 usually begins with a single basal insulin at about 10 units/day, or 0.1–0.2 units/kg/day, added to oral medicines, then titrated up to reach the fasting glucose target. Mealtime insulin is added later only if needed.
How is pediatric insulin dosing different?
Children are dosed by body weight in smaller, carefully titrated amounts, and needs change with growth, puberty and the post-diagnosis honeymoon phase. Pediatric insulin must be managed by a specialist diabetes team; the calculators are educational references only.
Do insulin needs change during pregnancy?
Yes. Insulin resistance rises through pregnancy, so requirements often increase substantially in the second and third trimesters before dropping sharply after delivery. Dosing in pregnancy and gestational diabetes is closely supervised by an obstetric and diabetes team.
Sources
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes — 2024. Section 9 (Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment).
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes — 2024. Section 14 (Children and Adolescents) and Section 15 (Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy).
Last reviewed: June 2025