Xanax Taper Calculator
Build a gradual alprazolam reduction schedule you can review with your prescriber — with dates, doses, and diazepam equivalents.
Xanax (alprazolam) is one of the hardest benzodiazepines to taper directly. Its half-life of just 6–12 hours means blood levels swing sharply between doses, and those swings get more noticeable as your dose drops. That's why a Xanax taper needs to be planned more carefully than most.
This calculator builds an exponential taper schedule — cutting a percentage of your current dose each step, so the cuts get smaller as you go down. Enter your total daily alprazolam dose below to see your full week-by-week plan.
Half-life
6–12 hours (short-acting)
Ashton equivalent
0.5mg ≈ 10mg diazepam
Common tablets
0.25 / 0.5 / 1 / 2 mg
Liquid available
Yes (alprazolam Intensol)
Why tapering Xanax is different
Alprazolam is potent — milligram for milligram it is roughly 20 times stronger than diazepam. A "small" 0.25mg cut of Xanax is the equivalent of cutting 5mg of Valium, which is why cuts that look tiny on paper can feel large in practice.
Its short half-life also creates interdose withdrawal — anxiety that appears between doses as blood levels dip. Many people mistake this for their original anxiety returning. If this is happening to you, splitting the same daily dose into more frequent doses (with your prescriber's guidance) often smooths the ride before the taper even begins.
Because of the potency and half-life problems, the Ashton Manual generally recommends crossing over from Xanax to diazepam before tapering. A direct alprazolam taper is still possible — especially with liquid titration — but it demands smaller, more precise cuts.
Using this calculator for a direct alprazolam taper
Enter your total daily dose — if you take 0.5mg three times per day, that's 1.5mg. Start with 5–10% cuts held for at least two weeks. Watch the diazepam equivalent column: it helps you (and your prescriber) see the real size of each cut.
The calculator flags the point where cuts become smaller than a quarter of the smallest tablet (0.25mg). From there, dry-cutting tablets becomes unreliable and most people switch to a compounded liquid, water titration, or a precision scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to taper off Xanax?
It depends on your starting dose, cut size, and hold time. With 10% cuts every two weeks, a taper typically takes 9–12 months to reach a low jump-off dose. Many people go slower. The Ashton Manual is explicit that the right speed is the one your nervous system tolerates — slowing down is normal, not failure.
What is a safe taper schedule for Xanax?
Most deprescribing guidance, including the Ashton Manual, suggests reducing by 5–10% of your current dose every 1–4 weeks, with the cuts getting smaller in absolute terms as the dose drops. Because alprazolam is short-acting and potent, many prescribers recommend crossing over to diazepam first. Any schedule should be agreed with your prescriber.
Should I switch from Xanax to Valium before tapering?
The Ashton Manual recommends it for most people because diazepam's long half-life (20–100 hours) produces steadier blood levels and comes in smaller relative dose forms (2mg tablets and a liquid). However, some people do taper alprazolam directly using liquid titration. The crossover itself should be gradual and staged, not overnight.
Can I just cut my Xanax pills to taper?
In the early stages, yes — a pill cutter can handle the first cuts on higher doses. But because the smallest tablet is 0.25mg (equivalent to about 5mg of diazepam), dry cutting quickly becomes too coarse. This calculator marks the step where you'll likely need liquid titration or a precision scale instead.
What happens if I stop Xanax cold turkey?
Stopping alprazolam abruptly after regular use can cause severe withdrawal, including rebound panic, insomnia, and in some cases seizures, which can be dangerous. Benzodiazepines should be reduced gradually. If you've already stopped suddenly and feel unwell, contact your prescriber or seek urgent medical care.
Sources & methodology
Equivalence values and reduction percentages follow the Ashton Manual (Prof. C. Heather Ashton, 2002), consistent with modern deprescribing guidance recommending gradual, patient-led benzodiazepine reduction and warning against abrupt discontinuation. This calculator performs arithmetic only — it is educational, not a prescription. Always work with your prescriber.