Health July 13, 2026 · 8 Min Read

Sodium Intake Calculator – Guide & Formulas

Estimate your maximum daily sodium limits and overall salt intake. Compare targets across AHA, WHO, and standard clinical guidelines.

The Sodium Intake Calculator helps you manage and track daily salt consumption. Excessive sodium intake is a major contributor to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and cardiovascular strain. This tool provides dietary salt limitations tailored to your cardiovascular risk profile, age, and health goals.

Key Takeaway

Use the free Sodium Intake Calculator to estimate your maximum daily sodium limits and overall salt intake. compare targets across aha, who, and standard clinical guidelines. Get instant results with step-by-step explanations.

How to Use the Sodium Intake Calculator

  1. Input your age and biological sex.
  2. Select any relevant clinical risk factors (e.g., Hypertension, Kidney Disease, or General Fitness).
  3. Review your target daily sodium limit in milligrams (mg) and salt equivalent in grams/teaspoons.
  4. Use the food comparison guide to identify and limit high-sodium processed foods.

The Formula

Salt (grams) = Sodium (mg) / 400 (Since table salt is roughly 40% sodium and 60% chloride)

Variable Definitions

  • Sodium (mg): Pure dietary sodium in milligrams
  • Salt (g): Equivalent weight in grams of Sodium Chloride (table salt)

Converting a 1,500 mg Low-Sodium Guideline to Salt

The American Heart Association recommends a limit of 1,500 mg of sodium for adults with hypertension.

  1. Step 1: Set Sodium = 1,500 mg.
  2. Step 2: Divide by 400 to find salt weight: 1,500 / 400 = 3.75 grams of salt.
  3. Step 3: This translates to slightly less than 3/4 of a teaspoon of total salt per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sodium and salt?

Sodium is a pure mineral, while table salt (Sodium Chloride) is a chemical compound. Table salt is approximately 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Thus, 1 teaspoon of table salt (approx. 5.75g) contains about 2,300 mg of pure sodium.

What is the recommended sodium limit under the DASH diet?

The standard Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet recommends limiting sodium to 2,300 mg per day. A more restrictive, highly effective version limits sodium to 1,500 mg per day to further improve cardiovascular health.