Health Calculators
Potassium and sodium.
Enter the potassium and sodium you eat in a day to compare them with the Adequate Intake for potassium and the sodium limit for your age, and see the ratio between the two. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
Your details
Your potassium and sodium
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
A woman aged 19 to 50 (potassium AI 2,600 mg, sodium limit 2,300 mg) eats 2,000 mg of potassium and 3,000 mg of sodium. Potassium: 2,000 ÷ 2,600 = 77% of the AI, 600 mg short. Sodium: 3,000 ÷ 2,300 = 130% of the limit, 700 mg over. By weight the ratio is 2,000 ÷ 3,000 = 0.67 : 1; by moles it is 0.39 : 1.
How it works
Potassium is compared with the Adequate Intake (AI) from the National Academies (Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate) as listed by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: 2,000 mg at ages 1 to 3, 2,300 mg at 4 to 8, then for men 2,500 (9 to 13), 3,000 (14 to 18) and 3,400 mg (19+); for women 2,300 (9 to 18) and 2,600 mg (19+); 2,600 and 2,900 mg in pregnancy and 2,500 and 2,800 mg while breastfeeding (14 to 18 and 19 to 50).
Sodium is compared with the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) level used by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025: 1,200 mg at ages 1 to 3, 1,500 mg at 4 to 8, 1,800 mg at 9 to 13 and 2,300 mg for everyone older. The ratio is potassium divided by sodium, by milligram and by mole (K 39.10 g/mol, Na 22.99 g/mol).
Sources (opened 2026-10-08): NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Potassium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 (Guideline 4, Sodium).
FAQ
How much potassium should I get per day?
The Adequate Intake is 3,400 mg for men 19 and over and 2,600 mg for women 19 and over. It is 2,900 mg in pregnancy and 2,800 mg while breastfeeding at ages 19 to 50.
What is the daily sodium limit?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans limit sodium to the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction level: 2,300 mg a day for everyone over 13, and less for younger children (1,200 mg at ages 1 to 3, 1,500 mg at 4 to 8, 1,800 mg at 9 to 13).
Is there an ideal potassium to sodium ratio?
The sources used here set a target for each mineral but not for the ratio. The ratio is shown for information only.
Should I change my diet because of this?
This is a simple comparison, not medical advice. If you have kidney disease, high blood pressure or take medication such as ACE inhibitors or diuretics, ask a doctor or pharmacist before raising potassium.
If your label gives salt rather than sodium, convert it with the sodium to salt converter.
Disclaimer
Not medical advice. Potassium targets are for generally healthy people. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before raising potassium if you have kidney disease or take medication that affects potassium.