Liquid I.V. vs Gatorade: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 2.3 times the sodium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 162 mg). Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 2.5 times the sugar of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier per 12 fl oz (21 g vs 8.3 g). Gatorade Thirst Quencher costs less per liter as mixed ($1.48 vs $3.30 for Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier).
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water; Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. The per-serving numbers on the two labels can't be compared directly, so this page converts both to 12 fl oz and 1 liter of finished drink.
| Nutrient | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 38 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 8.3 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 8.3 g | 21 g |
| Added sugars | 8.3 g | 21 g |
| Sodium | 375 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 278 mg | 48 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 106 kcal | 237 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 23 g | 59 g |
| Sugars | 23 g | 59 g |
| Added sugars | 23 g | 59 g |
| Sodium | 1,057 mg | 457 mg |
| Potassium | 782 mg | 135 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder stick | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 16 fl oz (473 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 50 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 11 g | 35 g |
| Sugars | 11 g | 35 g |
| Added sugars | 11 g | 35 g |
| Sodium | 500 mg | 270 mg |
| Potassium | 370 mg | 80 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Shaded cells mark more electrolytes, or less sugar and fewer calories. Carbohydrate and caffeine are not marked, since more or less depends on your use. Neither label lists magnesium, calcium or chloride.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sodium per liter
Sweat carries about 230 to 1,610 mg of sodium per liter[1]. Both gauges use the same scale, so the markers line up.
Cost per serving and per 1,000 mg sodium
| Measure | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles |
| Cost per serving | $1.56 | $0.87 |
| Cost per liter | $3.30 | $1.48 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.12 | $3.24 |
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from cane sugar and dextrose. Sweetened with stevia.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has no caffeine.
- 2.3% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A), Natural Flavors, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).
- Sugar from sugar and dextrose. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.
- 5.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Ascorbic Acid (to Protect Color), Natural Flavor, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Beta Carotene (Color).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want more sodium: 375 mg vs 162 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want less sugar: 8.3 g vs 21 g per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 278 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want a powder stick that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
Pick Gatorade if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 162 mg vs 375 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want carbohydrate for energy during long sessions: 21 g vs 8.3 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.48 vs $3.30
- you want a ready-to-drink bottle with nothing to mix
Where to buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, and it never changes the data or rankings. Affiliate disclosure.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Full Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier labelAll Liquid I.V. drinks
Other Liquid I.V. vs Gatorade matchups
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free vs Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.3 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 162 mg). Neither has any sugar.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free's label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water; Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks' is for one stick in 20 fl oz (591 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free | Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 375 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 278 mg | 48 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 3.8 g | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 15 kcal | 3 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.30 | $0.95 |
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier vs Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 19% more sodium than Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 315 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 22% more sugar than Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 6.8 g).
| Per 12 fl oz | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 375 mg | 315 mg |
| Potassium | 278 mg | 225 mg |
| Magnesium | not on label | 71 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 8.3 g | 7.5 g |
| Sugars | 8.3 g | 6.8 g |
| Calories | 38 kcal | 34 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.30 | price not checked |
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Powder Sticks label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 2.5 times the sodium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 150 mg). Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder has 2.5 times the sugar of Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier per 12 fl oz (21 g vs 8.3 g).
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water; Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder's is for one scoop serving in 12 fl oz (355 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 375 mg | 150 mg |
| Potassium | 278 mg | 50 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 8.3 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 8.3 g | 21 g |
| Calories | 38 kcal | 80 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.30 | $0.55 |
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier at Liquid I.V. (brand store) on Sep 24, 2026 and Gatorade Thirst Quencher at Target on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Every flavor. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Liquid I.V. or Gatorade?
Per 12 fl oz, Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Per liter that is 1,057 mg vs 457 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Liquid I.V. or Gatorade have more sugar?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 8.3 g sugar and 38 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia. Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Why do Liquid I.V. and Gatorade list different serving sizes?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's label is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water and Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 500 mg vs 270 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 375 mg vs 162 mg.
Which is cheaper, Liquid I.V. or Gatorade?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier worked out at $1.56 a serving, $3.30 a liter and $3.12 per 1,000 mg sodium (16 sticks (1 pouch) at Liquid I.V. (brand store), checked Sep 24, 2026). Gatorade Thirst Quencher worked out at $0.87 a serving, $1.48 a liter and $3.24 per 1,000 mg sodium (8 x 20 fl oz bottles at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free compare with Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.3 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 162 mg). Neither has any sugar. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 6.2 times the total carbohydrate of Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks per 12 fl oz (3.8 g vs 0.6 g). Per liter as mixed, Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free costs $3.30 and Gatorade Zero Sugar Powder Sticks costs $0.95.