Pedialyte vs Liquid I.V.: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Pedialyte Classic and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier have about the same sodium per 12 fl oz (383 mg vs 375 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 79% more sugar than Pedialyte Classic per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 4.6 g). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier costs less per liter as mixed ($3.30 vs $5.49 for Pedialyte Classic).
Pedialyte Classic vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Pedialyte Classic's label is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving; Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. 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 | Pedialyte Classic | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 25 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 6.7 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 4.6 g | 8.3 g |
| Added sugars | 4.6 g | 8.3 g |
| Sodium | 383 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 277 mg | 278 mg |
| Chloride | 440 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Pedialyte Classic | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 70 kcal | 106 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 19 g | 23 g |
| Sugars | 13 g | 23 g |
| Added sugars | 13 g | 23 g |
| Sodium | 1,080 mg | 1,057 mg |
| Potassium | 780 mg | 782 mg |
| Chloride | 1,240 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Pedialyte Classic | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) | 16 fl oz (473 mL) |
| Calories | 70 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 19 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 13 g | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 13 g | 11 g |
| Sodium | 1,080 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 780 mg | 370 mg |
| Chloride | 1,240 mg | not on label |
| 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 or calcium.
Pedialyte Classic label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier 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 | Pedialyte Classic | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $5.49 for 1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) |
| Cost per serving | $5.49 | $1.56 |
| Cost per liter | $5.49 | $3.30 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $5.08 | $3.12 |
Pedialyte Classic price checked at Target . 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)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from dextrose. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Pedialyte Classic has no caffeine.
- 1.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Dextrose. Less than 0.5% of: Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6.
- 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).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Pedialyte if
- you want less sugar: 4.6 g vs 8.3 g per 12 fl oz
- you want a ready-to-drink bottle with nothing to mix
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
- you want the lower cost per liter: $3.30 vs $5.49
- you want the cheapest sodium: $3.12 vs $5.08 per 1,000 mg
- you want a powder stick that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
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.
Other Pedialyte vs Liquid I.V. matchups
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier have about the same sodium per 12 fl oz (368 mg vs 375 mg). Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier have about the same sugar per 12 fl oz (9 g vs 8.3 g).
| Per 12 fl oz | Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 368 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 278 mg | 278 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 11 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 9 g | 8.3 g |
| Calories | 45 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $4.69 | $3.30 |
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs price checked at Walmart . 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)
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs has 30% more sodium than Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier per 12 fl oz (488 mg vs 375 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 57% more sugar than Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 5.3 g).
| Per 12 fl oz | Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 488 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 41 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 7.5 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 5.3 g | 8.3 g |
| Calories | 30 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $4.22 | $3.30 |
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs price checked at Target . 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)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Pedialyte Classic at Target on Sep 24, 2026 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier at Liquid I.V. (brand store) 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.
- Older records. The USDA food database has older figures for Pedialyte Classic that differ by more than 10%. We use the current label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Pedialyte or Liquid I.V.?
Per 12 fl oz, Pedialyte Classic has 383 mg sodium and 277 mg potassium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Per liter that is 1,080 mg vs 1,057 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Pedialyte or Liquid I.V. have more sugar?
Pedialyte Classic: 4.6 g sugar and 25 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 8.3 g sugar and 38 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia.
Why do Pedialyte and Liquid I.V. list different serving sizes?
Pedialyte Classic's label is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier's is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. Comparing the labels as printed gives 1,080 mg vs 500 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 383 mg vs 375 mg.
Which is cheaper, Pedialyte or Liquid I.V.?
Pedialyte Classic worked out at $5.49 a serving, $5.49 a liter and $5.08 per 1,000 mg sodium (1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). 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). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs compare with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier?
Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier have about the same sodium per 12 fl oz (368 mg vs 375 mg). Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier have about the same sugar per 12 fl oz (9 g vs 8.3 g). Per liter as mixed, Pedialyte Classic Powder Packs costs $4.69 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier costs $3.30.
Is Pedialyte or Liquid I.V. better for a hangover?
Neither label is evidence about hangovers, and we don't rate drinks on that. What the labels show: per 12 fl oz, Pedialyte Classic has 383 mg sodium and 4.6 g sugar, and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 8.3 g sugar.