How much urine can a bladder hold before it ruptures

Determine whether your bladder output is considered normal with our handy guide.

If you've noticed a change in your ability to hold urine lately, you may be wondering if your bladder capacity is considered normal for your age.

When evaluating bladder capacity by age there are a few things to consider.

Bladder Capacity by Age: Children vs. Adults

If you’d like to calculate your child’s bladder capacity, you can do so by taking the child’s age and multiplying it by two, then add another two ounces.

For example, for a three-year-old, you’d multiply 3 x 2 plus 2, for a total of an eight ounce bladder capacity.

In general, a healthy adult bladder holds about two cups of urine on average.

How much urine can the bladder hold at night

The urge to urinate is triggered when urine hits about a quarter of its capacity.

However, as a person ages, their bladder grows and changes, too. The tissue that makes up the bladder usually becomes less elastic. That means it won’t hold as much urine and, as a result, will cause the person to urinate more frequently.

Additionally, the bladder wall and pelvic muscles can weaken over time,

how much liquid does a bladder hold

how much does a human bladder hold