Steroid Conversion Calculator 2026
Instantly calculate equivalent doses between corticosteroids. Convert prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and more based on standard glucocorticoid potency factors.
Corticosteroid Dose Input
Select your current steroid and enter the daily dose to find equivalents
Choose the corticosteroid you are currently taking or converting from.
Enter the total daily dose in milligrams (mg).
Equivalence Results
Glucocorticoid equivalent doses for standard corticosteroids
Select a steroid and enter a dose above, then click Calculate Equivalents to see the converted doses for other corticosteroids.
Corticosteroid Potency Chart
Standard glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid potency comparisons. Note that equivalent doses are approximations and clinical response may vary.
| Drug | Glucocorticoid Potency | Equivalent Dose (mg) | Mineralocorticoid Potency | Half-Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 1 | 20 | 1 | Short (8-12h) |
| Cortisone | 0.8 | 25 | 0.8 | Short (8-12h) |
| Prednisone | 4 | 5 | 0.8 | Intermediate (12-36h) |
| Prednisolone | 4 | 5 | 0.8 | Intermediate (12-36h) |
| Methylprednisolone | 5 | 4 | 0.5 | Intermediate (12-36h) |
| Triamcinolone | 5 | 4 | 0 | Intermediate (12-36h) |
| Dexamethasone | 25-30 | 0.75 | 0 | Long (36-72h) |
| Betamethasone | 25-30 | 0.6 – 0.75 | 0 | Long (36-72h) |
Steroid Conversion FAQ
Everything you need to understand corticosteroid equivalence, from basic potency factors to clinical considerations.
A corticosteroid equivalence calculator is a medical tool used to determine the equivalent dose of one corticosteroid when switching a patient to another. Because different steroids have varying potencies (e.g., dexamethasone is much stronger than hydrocortisone), this calculator uses standard glucocorticoid potency factors to ensure the patient receives a therapeutically similar dose.
Steroid doses are converted using standard equivalence factors relative to a baseline, often hydrocortisone (20 mg) or prednisone (5 mg). For example, 5 mg of prednisone is roughly equivalent to 4 mg of methylprednisolone, 0.75 mg of dexamethasone, or 20 mg of hydrocortisone in terms of anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) effect.
Dexamethasone is a long-acting, highly potent synthetic corticosteroid. Its glucocorticoid potency is approximately 25 to 30 times greater than that of hydrocortisone, and about 6 to 7 times greater than prednisone. Therefore, a much smaller milligram dose is required to achieve the same anti-inflammatory effect.
This calculator primarily focuses on glucocorticoid (anti-inflammatory) equivalence. While some steroids like hydrocortisone have significant mineralocorticoid (salt-retaining) activity and others like dexamethasone have virtually none, clinical dose conversions usually prioritize glucocorticoid equivalence. However, doctors must consider mineralocorticoid effects separately when managing fluid balance or blood pressure.
No. This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. Steroid conversions are not always strictly 1:1 in clinical practice due to differences in pharmacokinetics, individual patient metabolism, and the specific condition being treated. Never adjust your medication doses without direct supervision from a qualified healthcare professional.