Injection Routes: Angles, Needles, Volumes and Sites
Intradermal goes in at 5-15 degrees, subcutaneous at 45 (90 if there is enough fat), and intramuscular at 90; needle length and site depend on the patient's age and size.
Route overview
| route | angle | typical gauge | typical length | common sites | typical maximum volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intradermal (ID) | 5-15 degrees, bevel up | 26-27 G (tuberculin syringe) | 1/4-1/2 inch (6.4-13 mm) | Anterior (inner) forearm, posterior upper arm, upper back/below scapula, upper chest | Up to 0.5 mL; TB skin test is 0.1 mL |
| Subcutaneous (SubQ) | 45-90 degrees (45 for vaccines per Immunize.org; 90 for adults with adequate fat) | 25-30 G; 23-25 G for vaccines (Immunize.org) | 3/8-5/8 inch (9.5-16 mm); 5/8 inch for vaccines | Outer upper arm (fatty tissue over triceps), anterior thigh, abdomen (at least 1 inch from the navel), upper ventrogluteal area, upper back | Most sites up to 1.5 mL; abdomen up to 3 mL |
| Intramuscular (IM) | 90 degrees | 22-25 G for vaccines and children; 20-25 G aqueous; 18-21 G oil-based | 5/8-1.5 inch (16-38 mm) for adults, by weight; see vaccine table | Deltoid, vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh), ventrogluteal; avoid dorsogluteal unless specifically indicated | Adults: deltoid up to 1 mL; ventrogluteal 2-5 mL; vastus lateralis up to 3 mL (5 mL may be tolerated). Children: ventrogluteal up to 1 mL; vastus lateralis up to 3 mL. Infants: vastus lateralis 1 mL |
Volume limits are typical maximums from a nursing textbook table, not hard rules; follow the order, the drug label and facility policy.
The same textbook's subcutaneous section says usually no more than 1 mL is given SubQ at one time, which is stricter than its volume table. Treat about 1 mL as the usual dose and 1.5 mL as the upper limit.
Preview only. The full sheet also covers: IM vaccine needle length by age (Immunize.org, 22-25 G needle, 90 degrees); Technique points.
Sources
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 12.3 Preparing Unit-Dose Packaged Medications (Table 12.1 Parenteral Injection Volume Limits) · OpenStax (Rice University)
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 12.4 Administering Intradermal Injections · OpenStax (Rice University)
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 12.5 Administering Subcutaneous Injections · OpenStax (Rice University)
- Clinical Nursing Skills, 12.6 Administering Intramuscular Injections · OpenStax (Rice University)
- Administering Vaccines: Dose, Route, Site, and Needle Size (Item P3085, 8/14/2026) · Immunize.org
- How to Administer Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Vaccine Injections (Item P2020) · Immunize.org