Medical & Clinical
Creatinine Clearance Calculator
eGFR stages kidney disease; creatinine clearance still doses the drugs. Here is the equation pharmacists reach for.
Creatinine clearance (CrCl) estimates kidney filtration using the Cockcroft-Gault equation: ((140 − age) × weight) ÷ (72 × creatinine), multiplied by 0.85 for women. Normal is about 90 mL/min or above. Interpretation belongs to your clinician — use these numbers to ask better questions.
CrCl = (140−age)×kg ÷ (72×Cr).
Women: × 0.85.
Used for drug dosing, not CKD staging.
Calculate Your Creatinine Clearance
Creatinine Clearance
What Is Creatinine Clearance?
Creatinine clearance estimates how fast the kidneys clear creatinine — a proxy for overall filtration. The Cockcroft-Gault equation (1976) remains the standard for drug-dose adjustment on most labels.
For diagnosing and staging kidney disease, the newer CKD-EPI eGFR is preferred — which is why this calculator exists alongside our GFR tool rather than replacing it.
How It Is Calculated
CrCl = ((140 − age) × weight) ÷ (72 × creatinine) [× 0.85 if female]
Example: Example: 65-year-old man, 72 kg, Cr 1.1 → CrCl ≈ 68 mL/min
CrCl bands (general)
| CrCl | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ≥ 90 mL/min | Normal or high |
| 60–89 | Mildly reduced |
| 30–59 | Moderately reduced |
| 15–29 | Severely reduced |
| < 15 | Kidney failure range |
Limitations
- Uses actual body weight — obesity can overestimate; adjusted body weight is sometimes substituted.
- Not reliable in unstable kidney function or unusual muscle mass.
- Drug labels cite specific CrCl cut-offs; follow them.
Sources & Review
References used for this calculator’s formulas and thresholds:
Creatinine Clearance FAQ
What is a normal creatinine clearance?
About 90 mL/min or above, declining gradually with age.
Why use CrCl instead of eGFR?
Drug labels were validated on Cockcroft-Gault — pharmacists use CrCl for dosing, while eGFR (CKD-EPI) stages kidney disease.
What CrCl needs dose adjustment?
Below 60 mL/min, many renally cleared drugs require reduced doses — below 30, most do.
Important disclaimer: Results are educational estimates, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Discuss your results with a qualified professional before making decisions.