Resting heart rate by age and sex
See where a resting heart rate sits among people of the same age and sex, using measurements of more than 35,000 people in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Enter your age; adding your own resting rate is optional.
Resting heart rate reference
Adult resting heart rate percentiles
From the 1999–2008 NHANES survey: seated resting pulse of U.S. residents, excluding anyone with a condition or medicine that affects the pulse[1]. The middle 90% of each group fell between the 5th and 95th percentile shown.
| Age | Females 5th–95th | Female median | Males 5th–95th | Male median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–39 years | 57–95 | 74 | 52–89 | 69 |
| 40–59 years | 56–92 | 71 | 52–90 | 68 |
| 60–79 years | 56–92 | 70 | 50–91 | 67 |
| 80 years and over | 56–93 | 71 | 51–94 | 68 |
NHANES figures are public-domain data from the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC); citing them does not imply endorsement by CDC, NCHS or the U.S. government. Children’s values are on the heart rate by age page.
What “normal” means here
Health organisations give one broad adult range. The American Heart Association describes a normal resting heart rate as 60 to 100 beats per minute when you are sitting or lying, calm and feeling well, and notes that active people and athletes may rest as low as 40[2][3]. MedlinePlus gives the same 60 to 100 for people aged 10 and older, and 40 to 60 for well-trained athletes[4].
Within that broad range, healthy people differ a lot. In the NHANES data, the adult average levelled off around 72 beats per minute, and women averaged a few beats higher than men in every adult age group[1]. A study of 92,457 adults wearing activity trackers found an average resting rate of 65.5 bpm; 95% of men averaged between 50 and 80, and 95% of women between 53 and 82[5]. The same study found that two people’s normal resting rates can differ by as much as 70 bpm, and that one person’s rate moves with sleep, body weight and even the season, by about 2 bpm on average between summer and winter[5].
The percentile you see above is a description, not a grade. Sitting in the 20th or the 80th percentile is common; it says where you are among people of your age and sex, not whether anything is wrong.
How to measure a resting heart rate
- Sit or lie down and rest quietly for at least 10 minutes[4]. Mornings before coffee give the most repeatable numbers.
- Count your pulse for a full minute, or for 30 seconds and double it[2][4], or use the camera reader or tap counter.
- Repeat on a few different days and look at the typical value rather than a single reading.
Survey methods matter when comparing. NHANES measured people seated after about four minutes of rest, counting the wrist pulse for 30 seconds twice[1]. A wearable’s overnight or all-day “resting heart rate” is measured differently from a seated daytime count, so compare like with like.
When to talk to a doctor
The AHA advises telling your health care professional if you notice your heart rate has been slower or faster than usual, and calling 911 if it is suddenly very high or very low for you, especially with chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or other signs that something is not right[2]. MedlinePlus also suggests discussing resting rates that stay high, or that sit below the usual values, with a health care provider[4]. A low rate in a fit person who feels well is common.
Questions people ask
What is a normal resting heart rate for adults?
The AHA describes 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest as normal for adults, with active people sometimes as low as 40[2][3]. In U.S. survey data, the adult median was 67–74 depending on age group and sex[1].
Is a lower resting heart rate better?
Lower resting rates are common in athletes and active people, but a low number on its own is not a score. Some medicines also lower heart rate. What matters is how you feel and whether your rate has changed.
Why do women have higher resting heart rates?
Both NHANES and a large wearable study found women averaging a few beats per minute higher than men at every adult age[1][5]. The reference here therefore compares you with your own sex.
Does resting heart rate change with age?
In NHANES it falls steeply through childhood and is fairly flat across adulthood, with medians in the high 60s to mid 70s from the 20s to the 80s[1].
How often should I check it?
For a trend, measure the same way on several mornings each week. Single readings vary with sleep, stress, caffeine and temperature.
Is my number sent anywhere?
No. The comparison runs inside the page with the published tables built in. Nothing you type is transmitted or stored.
Sources
- Ostchega Y, Porter KS, Hughes J, Dillon CF, Nwankwo T. Resting pulse rate reference data for children, adolescents, and adults: United States, 1999–2008. National Health Statistics Reports no. 41. National Center for Health Statistics, 2011 (Tables 1–3). cdc.gov. Checked 2026-10-09.
- American Heart Association. All About Heart Rate (Pulse) (last reviewed May 13, 2024). heart.org. Checked 2026-10-09.
- American Heart Association. Target Heart Rates Chart (last reviewed Aug 12, 2024). heart.org. Checked 2026-10-09.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Pulse (review date Jan 1, 2025). medlineplus.gov. Checked 2026-10-09.
- Quer G, Gouda P, Galarnyk M, Topol EJ, Steinhubl SR. Inter- and intraindividual variability in daily resting heart rate and its associations with age, sex, sleep, BMI, and time of year: retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of 92,457 adults. PLoS One 2020;15(2):e0227709. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227709. Checked 2026-10-09.