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Creatinine Clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) — Free Online Calculator

Input

years
mg/dL

Creatinine Clearance

About This Calculator

Creatinine clearance (CrCl) estimates kidney function and is commonly used for drug dosing adjustments. The Cockcroft-Gault equation estimates CrCl from serum creatinine, age, weight, and sex. Unlike eGFR, this value is not normalized to body surface area, making it particularly useful for drug dosing in clinical practice.

Formula

CrCl = [(140 − Age) × Weight (kg)] / [72 × Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)]
If female: multiply result by 0.85

Interpretation

CrCl (mL/min)Kidney Function
≥ 90Normal
60 – 89Mild decrease
30 – 59Moderate decrease
15 – 29Severe decrease
< 15Kidney failure

References

  1. Cockcroft DW, Gault MH. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron. 1976;16(1):31-41.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use Cockcroft-Gault instead of CKD-EPI?

Cockcroft-Gault is commonly used for drug dosing adjustments because many drug studies used this equation to define renal impairment categories. CKD-EPI is preferred for CKD staging and general kidney function assessment.

Does Cockcroft-Gault use ideal or actual body weight?

The original formula uses actual body weight. However, in obese patients (>120% IBW), many clinicians use adjusted body weight to avoid overestimation. In underweight patients, actual body weight is typically used.

Why does creatinine clearance differ from eGFR?

Creatinine clearance (CrCl) estimates renal function without adjusting for body surface area, while eGFR is normalized to 1.73 m². CrCl also includes tubular secretion of creatinine, so it slightly overestimates true GFR.

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⚠ Medical Disclaimer

This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for clinical decisions.