Basal Calculator  

Basal Insulin Calculator

Basal Insulin Calculator

*This calculator is for educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your insulin regimen.

Simple Formula for Starting Basal Insulin

Step 1: Calculate Total Daily Insulin Dose (TDD)

  • For Inactive Adults: Use 0.5 units per kilogram of body weight.

  • For Moderately Active Adults: Use 0.4 units per kilogram of body weight.

  • For Active Adults: Use 0.3 units per kilogram of body weight.

Example Calculation:

  • Weight: 180 pounds (approximately 81.6 kg)

Inactive: TDD=0.5×81.6=40.8 unitsTDD=0.5×81.6=40.8 units

Moderately Active: TDD=0.4×81.6=32.6 unitsTDD=0.4×81.6=32.6 units

Active: TDD=0.3×81.6=24.5 unitsTDD=0.3×81.6=24.5 units

Step 2: Determine Basal Insulin (50% of TDD)

  • Basal insulin typically makes up about 50% of the total daily insulin dose.

Example Calculation for Moderately Active: Basal Insulin=32.62=16.3 unitsBasal Insulin=232.6​=16.3 units

Step 3: Divide Basal Insulin by 24 (for hourly rate if using a pump)

  • This step is necessary for pump users to set their hourly basal rate.

Example Calculation for Moderately Active: Hourly Basal Rate=16.324≈0.68 units per hourHourly Basal Rate=2416.3​≈0.68 units per hour

Step-by-Step for a Neophyte:

  1. Convert Weight to Kilograms:

    • Weight (lbs) ÷ 2.2 = Weight (kg)

  2. Calculate Total Daily Insulin Dose (TDD):

    • Inactive: Weight (kg) × 0.5

    • Moderately Active: Weight (kg) × 0.4

    • Active: Weight (kg) × 0.3

  3. Determine Basal Insulin:

    • Basal Insulin = TDD ÷ 2

  4. Set Hourly Basal Rate (Pump Users):

    • Hourly Basal Rate = Basal Insulin ÷ 24

Example for a Moderately Active Person (180 lbs):

  1. Convert Weight to Kilograms:

    • 180÷2.2=81.8 kg180÷2.2=81.8kg

  2. Calculate TDD:

    • 81.8×0.4=32.7 units81.8×0.4=32.7units

  3. Determine Basal Insulin:

    • 32.7÷2=16.35 units32.7÷2=16.35units

  4. Set Hourly Basal Rate:

    • 16.35÷24≈0.68 units per hour16.35÷24≈0.68units per hour

Summary:

  • Convert your weight to kilograms.

  • Multiply by 0.5 (inactive), 0.4 (moderately active), or 0.3 (active) to find your TDD.

  • Divide TDD by 2 to get your basal insulin.

  • Divide basal insulin by 24 for the hourly basal rate if using an insulin pump.