Corrected Calcium Calculator
Adjust total calcium for serum albumin to estimate true calcium status.
Enter total calcium and albumin to calculate.
Why correct for albumin
About half of serum calcium rides bound to albumin; only the free (ionized) fraction is physiologically active. When albumin is low, total calcium reads low even though ionized calcium — the part that matters — may be normal. The correction estimates what total calcium would be at a normal albumin of 4 g/dL.
An ionized calcium level is the gold standard and bypasses the estimate entirely — common in ICU, renal, and massive-transfusion settings.
Educational use only. Electrolyte interpretation and replacement are provider decisions; verify against your lab’s reference ranges and the ionized calcium when available. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.