Max Heart Rate
Page updated: Evidence reviewed: What this means
Maximum heart rate is the highest heart rate reached during maximal exercise. Tanaka et al. 2001 combined 351 studies involving 18,712 adults and derived the equation 208 - 0.7 x age, then cross-validated it in 514 healthy adults aged 18 to 81. The regression did not differ significantly by sex or habitual activity level.
The paper did not publish percentile tables for age bands. FitnessNorms evaluates the equation at each bracket's representative age and approximates the spread with a normal distribution and a fixed 10 bpm standard deviation, within the 7 to 11 bpm range reported in the validation sample. The displayed P5 to P95 values are therefore transparent calculations, not observed percentiles. Estimates stop at age 81 rather than extrapolating beyond the validation range. See the derivation methodology. Women-specific Gulati and longitudinal Gellish equations are useful comparisons but do not drive this grid. Read more on Wikipedia
Data source: Tanaka et al. - Age-predicted maximal heart rate About this study
Reference population: Healthy, nonmedicated, nonsmoking adults; 18,712 participants in the meta-analysis and 514 adults aged 18-81 in the laboratory cross-validation
Max Heart Rate Norms Chart by Age and Sex (bpm)
| Age | Sex | Percentile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 95th | ||
| 18-19 | Male | 178 | 188 | 195 | 201 | 211 |
| Female | 178 | 188 | 195 | 201 | 211 | |
| 20-29 | Male | 174 | 184 | 191 | 197 | 207 |
| Female | 174 | 184 | 191 | 197 | 207 | |
| 30-39 | Male | 167 | 177 | 184 | 190 | 200 |
| Female | 167 | 177 | 184 | 190 | 200 | |
| 40-49 | Male | 160 | 170 | 177 | 183 | 193 |
| Female | 160 | 170 | 177 | 183 | 193 | |
| 50-59 | Male | 153 | 163 | 170 | 176 | 186 |
| Female | 153 | 163 | 170 | 176 | 186 | |
| 60-69 | Male | 146 | 156 | 163 | 169 | 179 |
| Female | 146 | 156 | 163 | 169 | 179 | |
| 70-79 | Male | 139 | 149 | 156 | 162 | 172 |
| Female | 139 | 149 | 156 | 162 | 172 | |
| 80-81 | Male | 135 | 145 | 151 | 158 | 168 |
| Female | 135 | 145 | 151 | 158 | 168 | |
What to expect by age group
For ages 30 to 39, the equation gives a point estimate of 184 bpm at representative age 35. Under the site's approximate spread model, the middle 50% is 177 to 191 bpm. These are equation-derived estimates, not published age-band percentiles or performance grades, and an individual's measured maximum can differ materially from the estimate.
| Age | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 18-19 | 188 to 201 |
| 20-29 | 184 to 197 |
| 30-39 | 177 to 190 |
| 40-49 | 170 to 183 |
| 50-59 | 163 to 176 |
| 60-69 | 156 to 169 |
| 70-79 | 149 to 162 |
| 80-81 | 145 to 158 |
Detailed Breakdowns
Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts and distribution labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is estimated maximum heart rate calculated here?
The centre value is 208 - 0.7 x age, evaluated at the representative age for each displayed bracket. FitnessNorms then applies a normal approximation with a 10 bpm standard deviation to show individual spread. The full calculation is documented on the methodology page.
Are these published maximum-heart-rate percentiles?
No. Tanaka et al. published an age-prediction equation and reported age-specific standard deviations, not a complete P5, P25, P50, P75, and P95 table. Every displayed percentile is a clearly labelled approximation derived by FitnessNorms.
Does the Tanaka equation differ for men and women?
The Tanaka analysis did not find a significant difference in the regression by sex, so this page displays the same estimates for men and women. Gulati et al. later published a women-specific comparison equation, but it does not drive this table.
Can I determine my actual maximum heart rate from this table?
No equation determines an individual's actual maximum precisely. Maximal exercise testing has safety and protocol requirements and may be inappropriate without clinical supervision, especially for people with symptoms, known disease, medications that affect heart rate, or uncertainty about exercise safety.