Benzo Conversion Calculator
Convert between benzodiazepines using Ashton Manual equivalents — Xanax to Valium, Klonopin to Valium, and every combination in between.
Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator
Convert a dose of one benzodiazepine to its approximate equivalent in another, using Ashton Manual equivalence values.
≈ Equivalent Diazepam (Valium) dose
— mg/day
≈ Diazepam (Valium) equivalent
— mg/day
These are approximations, not prescriptions. Equivalence tables (including the Ashton Manual's) are population averages — individual sensitivity, half-life differences, and receptor-subtype effects mean real-world equivalents vary. Benzodiazepine switches should be done gradually, in stages, under a prescriber's supervision — never as a single overnight swap.
Benzodiazepine strength chart
The table below ranks common benzodiazepines from most to least potent per milligram. The “equivalent dose” column shows approximately how many milligrams equal 10mg of diazepam (Valium), per the Ashton Manual.
| Benzodiazepine | ≈ 10mg Diazepam | Relative Potency | Half-Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alprazolam (Xanax) | 0.5 mg | Very high | 6–12 hours |
| Clonazepam (Klonopin) | 0.5 mg | Very high | 18–50 hours |
| Lorazepam (Ativan) | 1 mg | High | 10–20 hours |
| Diazepam (Valium) | 10 mg | High | 20–100 hours (active metabolite up to 200h) |
| Temazepam (Restoril) | 20 mg | Moderate/Low | 8–22 hours |
| Oxazepam (Serax) | 20 mg | Moderate/Low | 4–15 hours |
| Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) | 25 mg | Moderate/Low | 5–30 hours (active metabolites 36–200h) |
Two things this chart can't show: duration and difficulty. A potent short-acting drug like alprazolam produces sharper blood-level swings than an equally potent long-acting drug like clonazepam — which is why potency alone doesn't predict how hard a benzodiazepine is to stop. See our half-life comparison for that side of the story, or read Klonopin vs. Xanax: which is harder to quit.
Planning a crossover?
Conversions are most often used when switching from a short-acting benzodiazepine to diazepam before tapering — the core of the Ashton Method. The switch is staged over weeks, not done overnight: here's how the crossover protocol works. Once you're on your target medication, use the taper schedule calculator to plan the reduction itself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strongest benzodiazepine?
By potency per milligram, alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are the strongest commonly prescribed benzodiazepines: just 0.5mg of either is roughly equivalent to 10mg of diazepam (Valium). Potency is not the same as danger, though - short half-life drugs like alprazolam are typically harder to stop because blood levels swing more between doses.
What is the weakest benzodiazepine?
Among common benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is the least potent per milligram - about 25mg equals 10mg of diazepam. Oxazepam and temazepam (about 20mg each) are close behind. Lower potency can actually make tapering easier, because each milligram removed is a smaller fraction of the total effect.
How do I convert Xanax to Valium?
Using the Ashton Manual equivalence, 0.5mg of alprazolam (Xanax) is approximately 10mg of diazepam (Valium) - a 20:1 ratio. So 1mg of Xanax is roughly 20mg of Valium. Real-world crossovers are done gradually, substituting one portion of one dose at a time over several weeks, and the final numbers are often adjusted to individual response.
Is Klonopin stronger than Xanax?
Milligram for milligram they are approximately equal: 0.5mg of clonazepam is about the same as 0.5mg of alprazolam (both roughly 10mg diazepam equivalent). The difference is duration - Klonopin's 18-50 hour half-life produces steadier levels, while Xanax's 6-12 hours creates sharper peaks and troughs, which is why Xanax often feels stronger and is generally harder to taper directly.
Are benzodiazepine conversions exact?
No. Equivalence tables are clinical approximations averaged across populations. Individual metabolism, receptor sensitivity, the half-life mismatch between drugs, and even which anxiety symptoms respond best all vary. That is why crossovers are staged over weeks with room to adjust, rather than calculated once and swapped overnight. Treat every number on this page as a starting point for a conversation with your prescriber.
Where do these equivalence values come from?
They follow the benzodiazepine equivalency table in Professor C. Heather Ashton's manual, Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (2002), which remains the most widely used reference for tapering-related conversions and is broadly consistent with modern deprescribing guidance.