Resting Heart Rate

Resting heart rate (RHR) is the number of heartbeats per minute when the body is at complete rest, measured in beats per minute (bpm). It is a marker of cardiovascular fitness and autonomic tone; lower resting rates typically indicate a more efficient heart and are associated with cardiovascular health and longevity.

Norms are from Avram et al. 2019, an observational cohort of 66,788 US adults enrolled in the Health eHeart Study; heart rate was measured by smartphone rather than clinical ECG, and participants are self-selected and health-conscious, so these norms may not represent the general population. Read more on Wikipedia

How to Perform This Test (Protocol)

Equipment
  • Pulse oximeter, ECG monitor, or manual palpation at radial or carotid artery
  • Stopwatch
Protocol Steps
  1. Sit quietly in a comfortable chair for at least 5 minutes before measuring.
  2. Do not have consumed caffeine, exercised, or smoked in the preceding 30 minutes.
  3. Place two fingers lightly over the radial artery (wrist, thumb side) or carotid artery (neck).
  4. Count the number of beats for 60 seconds (or count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2).
Scoring

Beats per minute (bpm). For best accuracy, take 2-3 readings and average the results. Measure at the same time of day for consistent tracking.

Data source: Avram et al. - Real-world heart rate norms (Health eHeart Study) (2019) · n=66.8K About this study

Resting Heart Rate Cardiovascular

Resting Heart Rate Norms Chart by Age and Sex (bpm)

Age Sex Percentile
5th 25th 50th 75th 95th
20-29 Male 49 57 65 73 85
Female 54 62 70 78 90
30-39 Male 50 58 66 74 86
Female 54 62 70 78 90
40-49 Male 51 59 67 75 87
Female 55 63 71 79 91
50-59 Male 52 60 68 76 88
Female 55 63 71 79 91
60-69 Male 52 60 68 76 88
Female 55 63 71 79 91
70-79 Male 53 61 69 77 89
Female 56 64 72 80 92
80+ Male 54 62 70 78 90
Female 57 65 73 81 93

What to expect by age group

Among adults in their 30s, the middle 50% measure roughly 58 to 74 bpm for men and 62 to 78 bpm for women. Resting heart rate rises by only about 1 to 2 bpm per decade in both sexes, and women average around 4 bpm higher than men. These are population percentiles, not clinical thresholds, a cardiologist would use different cutoffs; a reading above or below the typical range here simply means you fall outside the middle 50% of this reference population.

Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) by age group (bpm)
Age MalesFemales
20-29 57 to 7362 to 78
30-39 58 to 7462 to 78
40-49 59 to 7563 to 79
50-59 60 to 7663 to 79
60-69 60 to 7663 to 79
70-79 61 to 7764 to 80
80+ 62 to 7865 to 81

Detailed Breakdowns

Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.

Males
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Females
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Age trend (percentiles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal resting heart rate?

A typical resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60-100 bpm. Well-trained athletes often have lower rates, sometimes below 50 bpm.

Is a lower resting heart rate better?

Generally, a lower resting heart rate indicates better cardiovascular fitness. However, very low rates (below 50 bpm) should be evaluated by a doctor if you're not athletic.

What affects resting heart rate?

Factors include fitness level, age, medications, caffeine, stress, temperature, and body position. Measure consistently for accurate tracking.

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