Resting Heart Rate Calculator by Age & Gender
Understanding Your Resting Heart Rate
Resting heart rate (RHR) is a key indicator of your cardiovascular health and overall fitness level. It represents the number of times your heart beats per minute while you are at complete rest. A lower resting heart rate generally implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.
For adults, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, athletes typically have lower heart rates, often between 40 and 60 bpm, because their heart muscle is in better condition and pumps blood more efficiently.
Why Age and Gender Matter
Your heart rate benchmarks change as you age. Generally, the maximum heart rate decreases with age, but resting heart rate can remain stable or increase slightly depending on fitness levels and medication.
Gender also plays a role. On average, women tend to have a resting heart rate that is 2-7 beats per minute higher than men. This is primarily because women typically have smaller hearts, which need to beat slightly faster to pump the same amount of blood.
How to Measure Accurately
To get the most accurate reading for this calculator:
- Time it right: Measure your pulse first thing in the morning before getting out of bed.
- Find your pulse: Place two fingers on your wrist (radial artery) or neck (carotid artery).
- Count: Count the beats for 60 seconds, or count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
- Repeat: For the best accuracy, take the average over three consecutive mornings.
Resting Heart Rate Chart (Reference)
The following tables illustrate the general classification norms used by this calculator (based on aggregated health data):
Men (Beats Per Minute)
| Age | Athlete | Excellent | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | 49-55 | 56-61 | 62-65 | 70-73 | 82+ |
| 36-45 | 50-56 | 57-62 | 63-66 | 71-75 | 83+ |
| 56-65 | 51-56 | 57-61 | 62-67 | 72-75 | 82+ |