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ARDSNet Tidal Volume (Predicted Body Weight)

Lung-protective ventilation targets a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (range 4–8 mL/kg), with plateau pressure ≤30 cmH₂O. PBW (kg) = 50 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4) for men and 45.5 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4) for women.

Height (cm or m or in)
Sex: Male; Female

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Interpretation

Result	Meaning
6 mL/kg PBW	Initial target in ARDS
4–8 mL/kg PBW	Acceptable range; reduce toward 4 if plateau >30 cmH₂O

Formula

PBW (men) = 50 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4); PBW (women) = 45.5 + 0.91 × (height cm − 152.4); VT = 6 mL/kg × PBW (range 4–8)

Clinical pearls

Always use height-based predicted body weight, never actual weight; obese patients are otherwise over-ventilated.
Measure height (or ulna length) rather than estimating; a 10 cm error changes PBW by ~9 kg.

Examples

ardsnet tidal volume 180 cm male lung protective tidal volume for a woman 5 ft 4 in pbw and vt 6 ml/kg 165cm female

FAQ

What tidal volume should I use in ARDS?

Start at 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (range 4–8) and keep plateau pressure ≤30 cmH₂O.

Why predicted body weight and not actual weight?

Lung size scales with height and sex, not body mass, so PBW avoids excessive volumes in heavier patients.

Evidence

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network. Ventilation with lower tidal volumes as compared with traditional tidal volumes for acute lung injury and ARDS. N Engl J Med 2000;342:1301–8.

Pulmonary & Critical Care · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology