Respiratory Rate Calculation Formula

Calculate Breaths Per Minute (BPM) accurately

15 Seconds 30 Seconds 60 Seconds

Calculated Respiratory Rate:

0 BPM

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Understanding Respiratory Rate Calculation

Respiratory rate is a vital sign that measures the number of breaths a person takes per minute. It is typically measured when a person is at rest and involves counting the number of times the chest rises.

The Respiratory Rate Formula

The standard formula used by medical professionals to calculate respiratory rate (RR) is:

RR (BPM) = (Number of Breaths ÷ Seconds Counted) × 60

Normal Respiratory Rate Ranges

A normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. However, these values vary significantly by age:

Age Group	Normal Range (BPM)
Newborns (0-1 year)	30 – 60 BPM
Toddlers (1-3 years)	24 – 40 BPM
Preschoolers (3-6 years)	22 – 34 BPM
School Age (6-12 years)	18 – 30 BPM
Adolescents/Adults (12+ years)	12 – 20 BPM

Calculation Examples

Example 1: You count 4 breaths in 15 seconds.
Calculation: (4 / 15) * 60 = 16 BPM (Normal for an adult).

Example 2: You count 14 breaths in 30 seconds.
Calculation: (14 / 30) * 60 = 28 BPM (Tachypnea for an adult).

Important Considerations

• Measurement Period: While 15 or 30 seconds are common, counting for a full 60 seconds is most accurate, especially if the breathing pattern is irregular.
• At Rest: Ensure the subject has been resting for at least 10 minutes before measurement.
• Stealth: People often change their breathing if they know they are being watched. Professionals often pretend to check the pulse while actually counting breaths.

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis or emergency situations.

function calculateRespiratoryRate() { var breaths = parseFloat(document.getElementById('breathCount').value); var seconds = parseFloat(document.getElementById('timeDuration').value); var resultWrapper = document.getElementById('rrResultWrapper'); var rrValueDisplay = document.getElementById('rrValue'); var rrClassDisplay = document.getElementById('rrClassification'); if (isNaN(breaths) || breaths < 0) { alert("Please enter a valid number of breaths."); return; } // Calculate Formula: (Breaths / Seconds) * 60 var bpm = Math.round((breaths / seconds) * 60); // Display results resultWrapper.style.display = 'block'; rrValueDisplay.innerText = bpm + " BPM"; // Adult classification (General) if (bpm = 12 && bpm 20 && bpm <= 25) { rrClassDisplay.innerText = "Elevated"; rrClassDisplay.style.color = "#856404"; rrClassDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3cd"; } else { rrClassDisplay.innerText = "Tachypnea (High)"; rrClassDisplay.style.color = "#dc3545"; rrClassDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#f8d7da"; } // Scroll into view resultWrapper.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }