How to use the minute ventilation calculator
Compute minute ventilation from breathing rate and tidal volume. Enter respiratory rate, tidal volume, dead space in the fields above; the minute ventilation, alveolar ventilation are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- rr — Respiratory rate (breaths/min)
- tv — Tidal volume (mL)
- ds — Dead space (mL)
Worked example
With respiratory rate = 14 breaths/min, tidal volume = 500 mL, dead space = 150 mL, the calculator gives minute ventilation ≈ 7 L/min; alveolar ventilation ≈ 4.9 L/min.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the minute ventilation calculation?
Minute ventilation (L/min) = rr × tv / 1000. Alveolar ventilation (L/min) = rr × (tv-ds) / 1000. Here rr is respiratory rate (breaths/min), tv is tidal volume (mL), ds is dead space (mL).
What inputs do I need for the minute ventilation calculator?
You need respiratory rate in breaths/min, tidal volume in mL, dead space in mL. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.