Calculating Breathing Rate

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Breathing Rate Calculator

Calculate your respiratory rate (Breaths Per Minute)

Count each time the chest rises.
How long did you count for?
Breaths Per Minute (BPM)

How to Calculate Breathing Rate

Your breathing rate, or respiratory rate, is the number of breaths you take per minute. It is one of the four primary vital signs used by medical professionals to assess general health and physiological function.

Steps for Accurate Measurement:

  • Sit quietly and relax for at least 5-10 minutes before measuring.
  • Set a timer for 30 or 60 seconds.
  • Count how many times your chest rises (one rise + one fall = one breath).
  • If you counted for 30 seconds, multiply the number by 2. If you counted for 15 seconds, multiply by 4.

Normal Breathing Rate Chart (At Rest)

Age Group Normal Rate (BPM)
Newborns (0-12 months) 30 – 60
Toddlers (1-3 years) 24 – 40
Preschoolers (3-6 years) 22 – 34
School-age children (6-12 years) 18 – 30
Adults (18+ years) 12 – 20

Factors That Influence Breathing Rate

Several factors can cause your respiratory rate to fluctuate. It is common for rates to increase during exercise, fever, or illness. Anxiety and stress can also lead to hyperventilation (rapid breathing). Conversely, certain medications (like opioids) or medical conditions can cause the rate to drop significantly.

Note: If you or someone you are with is having difficulty breathing, experiencing chest pain, or has a blue tint to the lips or fingernails, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

function calculateBreathingRate() { var breaths = document.getElementById('breathCount').value; var seconds = document.getElementById('observationTime').value; var resultArea = document.getElementById('brResultArea'); var valueDisplay = document.getElementById('brValue'); var statusDisplay = document.getElementById('brStatus'); if (breaths === " || seconds === " || seconds <= 0) { alert('Please enter valid numbers for both breaths and seconds.'); return; } var bpm = (parseFloat(breaths) / parseFloat(seconds)) * 60; bpm = Math.round(bpm); resultArea.style.display = 'block'; valueDisplay.innerText = bpm; // Interpretation for Adults (18+) if (bpm = 12 && bpm 20 && bpm <= 25) { statusDisplay.innerText = 'Slightly Elevated'; statusDisplay.style.backgroundColor = '#e67e22'; statusDisplay.style.color = 'white'; resultArea.style.backgroundColor = '#fef5e7'; } else { statusDisplay.innerText = 'High (Tachypnea)'; statusDisplay.style.backgroundColor = '#e74c3c'; statusDisplay.style.color = 'white'; resultArea.style.backgroundColor = '#fdedec'; } }

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