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🏥 Health Calculator Guide

The Complete Health Calculations Guide

Every formula, worked example, and free calculator for body composition, clinical scores, medication dosage, healthcare costs, and all major health calculations — verified against CDC, NIH, AAP, and peer-reviewed medical literature. 57 free calculators in one place.

Verified: CDC, NIH, AAP, American Council on Exercise — April 2026
57Free Calculators
6Topic Clusters
100%Peer Reviewed
2026Updated
Body Composition & Fitness Clinical & Medical Scores Medication & Dosage Healthcare Costs Vision, Pediatric & Pet Pool & Water FAQ

📋 Table of Contents

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Body Composition & Fitness Calculators

Calculate BMI, TDEE, BMR, calorie burn, body fat, and weight management metrics using evidence-based formulas.

Body Composition Calculations — The Formulas That Matter

BMI: The Universal Screening Tool

BMI (Body Mass Index) is the most widely used screening measure for weight status. It doesn't measure body fat directly but correlates well enough with body fat to be useful at the population level. The limitation: it can't distinguish muscle from fat, which is why a lean bodybuilder and an obese sedentary person of the same weight and height get the same BMI.

BMI Formula
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2 Imperial: BMI = (weight lbs x 703) / height (in)^2 Example: 170 lbs, 5'9" (69 in): BMI = (170 x 703) / (69^2) = 25.1 (overweight) WHO categories: <18.5 underweight | 18.5-24.9 normal | 25-29.9 overweight | 30+ obese

TDEE and BMR: Your Calorie Foundation

BMR is what you burn at rest just to survive. TDEE is your actual daily burn including all activity. Every calorie-based goal — weight loss, maintenance, muscle gain — starts with knowing your TDEE. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is the most accurate for the general population, validated in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1990).

BMR & TDEE (Mifflin-St Jeor)
Men BMR = (10 x kg) + (6.25 x cm) - (5 x age) + 5 Women BMR = (10 x kg) + (6.25 x cm) - (5 x age) - 161 TDEE = BMR x Activity factor (1.2 sedentary → 1.9 extra active) Example (male, 80kg, 180cm, 30yr, moderate): BMR = 1,780 | TDEE = 2,759 kcal

Calories Burned: The MET Method

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values represent how many times more energy an activity requires compared to sitting still. Walking at a moderate pace is 3.5 METs; running at 6 mph is 9.8 METs. Multiply by weight in kg and time in hours to get calories burned.

Calories Burned Formula
Calories burned = MET x Weight (kg) x Duration (hours) Example: 70kg person running 30 min at 6 mph (MET 9.8): 9.8 x 70 x 0.5 = 343 kcal Walking (3.5 METs), cycling moderate (8.0), swimming laps (7.0), weight lifting (5.0)

Water Intake: Daily Hydration Target

The simple rule is 35 mL per kg of body weight per day, which lands most adults between 2 and 3 liters. Exercise and heat add to this baseline. The Institute of Medicine recommends 3.7 L total daily water for men and 2.7 L for women from all sources (including food, which contributes about 20%).

Weight Loss Percentage

Weight Loss % Formula
Weight loss % = ((Start weight - Current weight) / Start weight) x 100 Example: 220 lbs → 195 lbs: ((220-195)/220) x 100 = 11.4% lost Clinical significance: 5% weight loss reduces cardiovascular and metabolic risk meaningfully
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Key insight: For weight loss, TDEE minus 500 calories/day = approximately 1 lb of fat lost per week. Never eat below your BMR long-term. Minimum floor is 1,200 kcal/day for women and 1,500 kcal/day for men. Going below causes muscle loss and metabolic adaptation.
BMI Calculator 1,500,000/mo Calculate BMI for adults, women, children, reverse BMI, and BMI Prime. WHO and CDC verified. Open calculator → TDEE Calculator 22,200/mo Total daily energy expenditure using Mifflin-St Jeor. All activity levels, goal calorie targets. Open calculator → Calorie Calculator 400,000/mo Daily calorie needs for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain with full macro breakdown. Open calculator → Calories Burned Calculator 140,000/mo Calculate calories burned by activity using MET values. Walking, running, cycling, swimming, and more. Open calculator → Water Intake Calculator 100,000/mo Daily hydration needs by weight, activity level, and climate. IOM guidelines. Open calculator → Weight Loss % Calculator 4,400/mo Calculate percentage of body weight lost and compare to clinical benchmarks for health improvement. Open calculator → Calories Burned — Weight Lifting Calories burned by resistance training, circuit training, and powerlifting by intensity and duration. Open calculator → Body Shape Calculator Determine body shape (apple, pear, hourglass, rectangle) from waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios. Open calculator → Weight Gain Calculator Calorie surplus and timeline calculator for healthy weight and muscle gain goals. Open calculator → Deadlift Max Calculator Estimate 1-rep max from submaximal lifts using Brzycki, Epley, and Lander formulas. Open calculator → Target Heart Rate Zone Calculator Calculate fat burn, aerobic, and peak training zones using Karvonen formula with HRmax. Open calculator → Starbucks Drink Calorie Calculator 2,400/mo Calculate exact calories in any Starbucks drink by size, milk type, syrups, and add-ons. Open calculator →
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Clinical & Medical Score Calculators

Validated clinical calculators for INR, cardiac output, ABI, PVR, PSA density, and other hemodynamic and laboratory values.

Clinical Medical Calculations — How the Numbers Work

INR: Measuring Clotting Ability

INR (International Normalized Ratio) standardizes prothrombin time (PT) testing across different laboratories and reagents. Without standardization, a PT of 20 seconds at one lab might represent different clotting risk than 20 seconds at another lab. INR eliminates that variability. For warfarin patients, the therapeutic window of 2.0–3.0 must be maintained carefully: too low means clot risk, too high means bleeding risk.

INR Formula
INR = (Patient PT / Mean Normal PT) ^ ISI Normal INR: 0.8 to 1.2 | Warfarin target: 2.0 to 3.0 | Mechanical valve: 2.5 to 3.5 PT = prothrombin time (seconds) | ISI = International Sensitivity Index of reagent

Cardiac Output: The Heart's Delivery Rate

Cardiac Output Formula
Cardiac Output (CO) = Heart Rate (bpm) x Stroke Volume (mL/beat) / 1000 Normal CO: 4.0 to 8.0 L/min | Cardiac Index = CO / BSA (normal 2.5 to 4.0 L/min/m²) Example: HR 72 bpm x SV 70 mL = 5,040 mL/min = 5.04 L/min

PVR: Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

PVR Formula (Hodgdon & Beckett)
PVR (dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵) = 80 x (mPAP - PAWP) / Cardiac Output Normal PVR: 37-250 dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵ | Wood units = (mPAP - PAWP) / CO PVR above 250 dynes or 3 Wood units indicates pulmonary vascular disease

PSA Density: Distinguishing Cancer from BPH

PSA Density Formula
PSA Density = PSA (ng/mL) / Prostate Volume (mL) PSA density > 0.15 ng/mL/mL: Higher risk of clinically significant cancer Example: PSA 8 ng/mL, prostate 40 mL: density = 8/40 = 0.20 (elevated)

ABI: Ankle-Brachial Index for Peripheral Artery Disease

ABI Formula
ABI = Ankle systolic pressure / Arm (brachial) systolic pressure Normal: 1.0 to 1.4 | Mild PAD: 0.7-0.9 | Moderate PAD: 0.4-0.7 | Severe: <0.4
TestNormal RangeClinical Use
INR0.8 – 1.2Warfarin management, clotting disorders
Cardiac Output4.0 – 8.0 L/minHeart failure, ICU hemodynamics
Cardiac Index2.5 – 4.0 L/min/m²Normalized for body size
PVR37 – 250 dynes·sec·cm⁻⁵Pulmonary hypertension, transplant evaluation
ABI1.0 – 1.4Peripheral artery disease screening
PSA Density<0.15 ng/mL/mLProstate cancer vs. BPH differentiation
D-dimer (age-adjusted)Age x 10 μg/L (age >50)PE/DVT rule-out in older patients
AST/ALT ratio<1.0>2.0 suggests alcoholic liver disease
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Medication & Dosage Calculators

Weight-based pediatric dosing, mg-to-mL conversions, dosage unit conversions, and medication detection windows.

Medication Dosage Calculations — Getting the Numbers Right

Weight-Based Dosing: The Pediatric Standard

Weight-based dosing is the standard for pediatric medications because children can't simply receive smaller versions of adult doses — their pharmacokinetics differ significantly. The formula is straightforward, but the concentration of the liquid formulation adds a second step that trips up many parents.

Weight-Based Dosing Formula
Dose (mg) = Prescribed dose (mg/kg) x Patient weight (kg) Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL) Infant Tylenol example: 12.5 mg/kg for 10 kg child = 125 mg At 160 mg/5 mL (= 32 mg/mL): 125 / 32 = 3.9 mL

Dosage Conversions

Common Dosage Conversions
mg to mcg: multiply by 1,000 | mcg to mg: divide by 1,000 mg to mEq: mEq = (mg / molecular weight) x valence Units to mg: varies by drug (insulin: 1 unit ≠ fixed mg) IU to mg: drug-specific conversion (e.g., Vitamin D: 40 IU = 1 mcg)

ETG Detection Window

ETG (ethyl glucuronide) is a direct urine biomarker of alcohol consumption, detectable far longer than alcohol itself. The detection window depends on the amount consumed. ETG is used in zero-tolerance monitoring programs, court-ordered testing, and workplace programs. The standard threshold is 100–500 ng/mL depending on the laboratory.

Prescription Refill Timing

Refill Date Formula
Days supply = Total pills / Prescribed pills per day Refill date = Fill date + Days supply - Buffer days (typically 5-7) Example: 90 pills, 3 per day = 30-day supply | Refill window opens at day 23-25
MedicationTypical Dose RangeFormulation Note
Infant acetaminophen10–15 mg/kg/dose160 mg/5 mL standard since 2011
Ibuprofen (children)5–10 mg/kg/doseNot for infants under 6 months
Tesamorelin2 mg subcutaneously dailyHIV-associated lipodystrophy only
ETG urine window1–5 daysThreshold: 100–500 ng/mL
Plan B (levonorgestrel)1.5 mg single doseWithin 72 hrs; efficacy decreases over time
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Healthcare Cost Calculators

Estimate the true cost of dental work, surgeries, hearing aids, mental health therapy, senior care, and drug rehabilitation.

Healthcare Costs in 2026 — What to Expect Before You Go

Why Healthcare Cost Estimates Matter

Healthcare is one of the largest and most unpredictable household expenses. Unlike most consumer purchases, the price is rarely disclosed upfront — which means patients often face bills far larger than expected. These calculators give you a reasonable cost range before you commit, so you can budget, compare providers, and understand what insurance should cover.

Procedure / ServiceAverage Cost (US 2026)Insurance Typically Covers
Dental implant (single)$3,000 – $5,50010–50% (varies)
Dental crown$800 – $2,50050% after deductible
Invisalign full treatment$3,000 – $9,000Ortho coverage max (often $1,500)
Hip replacement$30,000 – $60,00080–90% after deductible
Bariatric surgery$15,000 – $30,000Varies; BMI >40 or >35 + comorbidity
Hearing aid (pair)$2,000 – $7,000Rarely covered by standard insurance
Therapy (per session)$100 – $300$20–60 copay (if in-network)
Drug rehabilitation (30-day)$6,000 – $60,000ACA-required mental health benefit
Nursing home (annual)$85,000 – $120,000Medicare: limited; Medicaid: after spend-down
Senior living comparison$3,500 – $8,500/moSelf-pay; some long-term care insurance

Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty

If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period and don't have qualifying coverage, you'll pay a permanent premium penalty. The penalty is 10% of the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you delayed enrollment. At a $174.70/month standard premium (2024), even a 2-year delay adds $34.94/month — permanently, for life.

Medicaid Spend-Down

Medicaid's asset limit for long-term care is approximately $2,000 in most states for an individual. If you have more than this, you must "spend down" excess assets before Medicaid covers nursing home costs. Planning ahead with an elder law attorney can protect spousal assets within the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) of $30,828–$154,140 depending on state.

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Cost transparency tip: For any elective procedure, get itemized cost estimates from at least 3 providers. Ask specifically for the "facility fee" plus "physician fee" — they are billed separately and can double the expected cost. Request a good-faith estimate in writing before any non-emergency procedure (required under the No Surprises Act for uninsured patients).
Dental Implant Cost Calculator 8,100/mo Estimate single implant, All-on-4, and full arch costs by tooth location and insurance coverage. Open calculator → Dental Crown Cost Calculator 3,300/mo Crown cost by material (porcelain, gold, zirconia) with and without insurance estimate. Open calculator → Invisalign Cost Calculator 720/mo Estimate Invisalign treatment cost by case complexity, number of aligners, and insurance benefit. Open calculator → Hip Replacement Calculator 2,200/mo Total hip replacement cost with insurance vs. out-of-pocket breakdown and recovery timeline. Open calculator → Bariatric Surgery Cost Calculator 3,300/mo Gastric sleeve, bypass, and band costs with insurance eligibility and financing estimate. Open calculator → Hearing Aid Cost Calculator 2,900/mo Hearing aid cost by technology level, brand, and OTC vs. prescription with annual cost. Open calculator → Therapy Cost Calculator 3,300/mo Monthly therapy cost by session frequency, therapist type, and insurance plan copay. Open calculator → Drug Rehab Cost Calculator 3,300/mo 30, 60, and 90-day inpatient and outpatient rehab cost with insurance and FMLA overview. Open calculator → Nursing Home Cost Calculator 4,400/mo Annual nursing home cost by state, room type, and Medicare vs. Medicaid coverage estimate. Open calculator → Senior Living Cost Comparison 2,900/mo Compare independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home costs side by side. Open calculator → Caregiver Pay Calculator 2,200/mo Calculate fair caregiver hourly rate and weekly cost by care type, location, and experience. Open calculator → Orthodontic Treatment Cost Calculator 2,900/mo Braces vs. Invisalign cost comparison with age adjustments and insurance coverage estimate. Open calculator → Medicaid Spend Down Calculator 2,900/mo Calculate assets to spend before Medicaid eligibility for long-term care by state. Open calculator → Medicare Part B Penalty Calculator 3,600/mo Calculate your permanent Part B late enrollment penalty based on months of delayed enrollment. Open calculator → Is Pet Insurance Worth It? 3,300/mo Compare pet insurance premium cost vs. expected veterinary costs to find the break-even point. Open calculator → Cord Blood Banking Cost Calculator 1,900/mo Private vs. public cord blood banking cost comparison over 20 years including storage fees. Open calculator → NICU Cost Calculator 1,900/mo Estimate NICU stay costs by gestational age, length of stay, and insurance plan details. Open calculator →
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Vision, Pediatric & Pet Calculators

Eye prescription conversion, children's growth percentiles, pregnancy due date, and pet health calculations.

Vision, Pediatric & Pet Calculations

Eye Prescription: Understanding the Numbers

An eye prescription contains sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), and axis values. Sphere indicates the main refractive power in diopters — negative for myopia (nearsighted), positive for hyperopia (farsighted). Cylinder and axis describe astigmatism. The contact lens vertex conversion is needed because contacts sit directly on the eye while glasses are 12–14 mm away — the effective power differs at high prescriptions.

Contact Lens Vertex Conversion
Vertex-adjusted power = 1 / (1 / Spectacle power - Vertex distance in meters) Vertex distance: typically 0.012 to 0.014 meters (12-14 mm) Significant above +/-4.00 diopters; smaller prescriptions need no adjustment

Child Growth Percentiles

The CDC growth charts (revised 2000, updated 2022) define height and weight percentiles for children aged 2–20 using data from nationally representative samples. A child at the 50th percentile is at the median for their age and sex. Below the 5th or above the 95th percentile warrants pediatric evaluation. Percentile position is more important than any single measurement — consistent tracking over time matters most.

Pregnancy Due Date

Due Date Formula (Naegele's Rule)
Due date = First day of last menstrual period + 280 days (40 weeks) Or: LMP + 9 calendar months + 7 days Assumes regular 28-day cycle; adjusts for cycle length variations

Pet Age Conversion

The old "1 year = 7 dog years" rule is an oversimplification. Research published in Cell Systems (2020) shows dogs age rapidly in their first two years, then more slowly. A 1-year-old dog is equivalent to about 30 human years; a 4-year-old dog is roughly 52 human years. Small breeds age slightly more slowly than large breeds after age 2.

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Pool & Water Chemistry Calculators

Calculate chemical doses for pool chlorination, salt levels for saltwater pools, and pH balancing.

Pool Chemistry Calculations — Getting the Balance Right

The Core Pool Chemistry Numbers

A safe, clear pool requires maintaining six parameters simultaneously. pH is the most critical: if pH is wrong, every other chemical is less effective. Free chlorine (FC) sanitizes; combined chlorine (CC) indicates chloramine buildup from bather waste. Alkalinity buffers pH from swinging too fast. Cyanuric acid (CYA) protects chlorine from UV degradation.

ParameterTarget RangeIf Outside Range
pH7.2 – 7.6pH down (muriatic acid) or pH up (soda ash)
Free Chlorine (FC)2 – 4 ppmAdd liquid chlorine or shock treatment
Total Alkalinity (TA)80 – 120 ppmSodium bicarbonate to raise; muriatic acid to lower
Cyanuric Acid (CYA)30 – 50 ppmAdd stabilizer to raise; dilute to lower
Calcium Hardness200 – 400 ppmCalcium chloride to raise; dilution to lower
Salt (saltwater pool)2,700 – 3,400 ppmAdd pool salt (NaCl) to raise; dilute to lower

Chlorine Dosing Formula

Pool Chlorine Calculation
ppm increase needed = Target FC - Current FC Liquid chlorine (10% NaOCl): oz needed = Pool gallons x ppm increase / 75,000 Example: 20,000-gallon pool, raise FC from 1 to 4 ppm (3 ppm increase): oz = 20,000 x 3 / 75,000 = 0.8 oz... use label formula for exact product strength

Salt Pool: How Much Salt to Add

Salt Pool Formula
Salt needed (lbs) = Pool volume (gallons) x (Target ppm - Current ppm) / 1,000,000 x 8.34 Example: 15,000-gallon pool, current 0 ppm, target 3,200 ppm: Salt = 15,000 x 3,200 / 1,000,000 x 8.34 = 400 lbs of pool salt

📚 Sources & Methodology

All formulas and reference data on this guide are sourced from authoritative medical, government, and clinical standards:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². In imperial: BMI = (weight lbs x 703) / height (in)². Example: 170 lbs, 5'9" (69 in): BMI = (170 x 703) / 69² = 25.1 — overweight range. WHO categories: under 18.5 = underweight, 18.5–24.9 = normal, 25–29.9 = overweight, 30+ = obese. BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat, so use it alongside body fat percentage for a complete picture.
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is how many calories you burn in a day including all activity. Calculate BMR first using Mifflin-St Jeor (men: 10×kg + 6.25×cm − 5×age + 5; women: same −161), then multiply by an activity factor from 1.2 (sedentary) to 1.9 (extremely active). Example: 80 kg male, 180 cm, 30 yr, moderately active: BMR = 1,780 × 1.55 = 2,759 kcal/day TDEE.
Dose (mg) = Prescribed dose (mg/kg) × Patient weight (kg). For liquid medications: Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL). Example: infant Tylenol at 12.5 mg/kg for a 10 kg baby = 125 mg. At 160 mg/5 mL (32 mg/mL): 125 / 32 = 3.9 mL. Always verify with a pharmacist or physician before administering any medication.
INR = (Patient PT / Mean Normal PT) ^ ISI. Normal INR for healthy adults: 0.8–1.2. Therapeutic range for warfarin patients: 2.0–3.0 for most conditions (atrial fibrillation, DVT). Mechanical heart valve patients target 2.5–3.5. Below 2.0 = clot risk; above 3.0 = bleeding risk. INR should be checked at least monthly when stable on warfarin.
Calories burned = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hours). MET values: walking moderate (3.5), running 6 mph (9.8), cycling moderate (8.0), swimming laps (7.0), weight lifting moderate (5.0). Example: 70 kg person running 30 minutes: 9.8 × 70 × 0.5 = 343 kcal. Note: these are total calorie burn, not net above resting. Subtract resting calories for net exercise burn if needed.
General formula: 35 mL per kg of body weight per day. For a 70 kg adult: 70 × 35 = 2,450 mL (about 83 oz or 10 cups). The IOM recommends 3.7 L total daily water for men and 2.7 L for women from all sources including food. Hot weather and exercise each add 400–600 mL per hour of activity. Pale yellow urine indicates good hydration; dark yellow indicates dehydration.
Weight loss % = ((Starting weight − Current weight) / Starting weight) × 100. Example: 220 lbs start, now 195 lbs: ((220−195) / 220) × 100 = 11.4% lost. Medical significance: even 5% weight loss in an overweight person meaningfully reduces blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and joint stress, regardless of final BMI. This is why clinicians use percentage lost rather than target weight.
CO = Heart Rate (bpm) × Stroke Volume (mL) / 1,000. Normal resting CO: 4.0–8.0 L/min. Example: HR 72 bpm × SV 70 mL = 5.04 L/min. Cardiac Index normalizes for body size: CI = CO / Body Surface Area (normal 2.5–4.0 L/min/m²). Low CO indicates heart failure or shock; high CO suggests sepsis or hyperthyroidism.
PSA Density = PSA (ng/mL) / Prostate Volume (mL). Prostate volume measured by TRUS ultrasound. PSA density >0.15 ng/mL/mL is associated with higher risk of clinically significant cancer. Example: PSA 8 ng/mL, prostate 40 mL: density = 0.20 (elevated). PSA density helps distinguish prostate cancer from benign BPH in men with intermediate PSA values (4–10 ng/mL).
Salt needed (lbs) = Pool volume (gallons) × (Target ppm − Current ppm) / 1,000,000 × 8.34. Example: 15,000-gallon pool, current 0, target 3,200 ppm: 15,000 × 3,200 / 1,000,000 × 8.34 = 400 lbs. Add in 2 lb increments, run filter 24 hours, retest before adding more. Never add salt directly to the skimmer. Use only pool-grade sodium chloride (NaCl), not road salt or iodized table salt.
Adjusted power = 1 / (1 / Spectacle power − 0.012), where 0.012 = 12 mm vertex distance in meters. Only significant at prescriptions above ±4.00 diopters. Example: spectacle Rx −7.00: contact power = 1 / (1/−7.00 − 0.012) = 1 / (−0.1543) = −6.48, so the contact lens would be −6.50. Vertex conversion is why opticians can't simply copy a glasses prescription for contact lenses at high powers.
ETG detection depends on quantity consumed and metabolism. Light (1–2 drinks): 8–24 hours. Moderate (3–5 drinks): 24–48 hours. Heavy (6+ drinks): 48–72 hours. At high consumption, up to 80 hours. The standard lab threshold is 100–500 ng/mL depending on program. False positives from mouthwash, hand sanitizer, or food products containing alcohol are possible at low thresholds. ETG measures metabolite, not active intoxication.

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