Blood pressure chart and normal blood pressure checker
Enter your systolic and diastolic blood pressure to see its 2017 ACC/AHA category, pulse pressure, and estimated mean arterial pressure.
Check a blood pressure reading
Use the numbers shown on your monitor, in mmHg. Add your pulse if you have it.
When a reading needs urgent attention
If a reading is 180 systolic or higher, or 120 diastolic or higher, wait a few minutes and check again. If it is still that high and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, a change in vision, or trouble speaking, call 911.
Call 911 for these symptoms even if you are unsure about the reading. Fainting, or a very slow or fast irregular pulse with dizziness, also needs prompt medical attention.
Blood pressure chart
Adult categories used by this checker. Systolic is the first number; diastolic is the second. A systolic or diastolic value in a higher category puts the reading in that higher category.
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Under 120 mmHg | And under 80 mmHg |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 mmHg | And under 80 mmHg |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130 to 139 mmHg | Or 80 to 89 mmHg |
| Stage 2 hypertension | 140 mmHg or higher | Or 90 mmHg or higher |
| Hypertensive crisis range | Above 180 mmHg | And/or above 120 mmHg |
The crisis row uses the guideline's above 180 and/or above 120 wording. Follow the urgent guidance above for readings at or above 180 systolic or 120 diastolic.
How to measure at home
Sit quietly with your back supported and feet flat on the floor. Rest your arm on a surface so the cuff is at heart level. Take two readings one minute apart and average them. Use a validated upper-arm monitor with a cuff that fits. Avoid talking during the measurement. These steps help make readings more useful (Muntner et al., American Heart Association scientific statement).
How this blood pressure checker works
Enter the upper, systolic number and lower, diastolic number from the same measurement. The checker compares each one with adult categories in the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guideline. Normal is below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic. Elevated is 120 to 129 systolic while diastolic remains below 80. Stage 1 is 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic. Stage 2 is 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic. The crisis range is above 180 systolic and/or above 120 diastolic (Whelton et al., 2017 ACC/AHA guideline).
When systolic and diastolic numbers land in different categories, the checker uses the higher category. For example, 128/84 falls in stage 1 because the diastolic number is in that range, even though the systolic number is elevated. This approach reflects the guideline's use of either number to identify a higher category.
Pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure
Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic numbers. If a reading is 128/78, the calculation is 128 − 78 = 50 mmHg. The checker displays the arithmetic so you can see how the number was reached.
Mean arterial pressure, or MAP, is shown as an estimate using diastolic pressure plus one third of pulse pressure. For 128/78, pulse pressure is 50, so MAP = 78 + (50 ÷ 3) = about 94.7 mmHg. This simple estimate does not replace a clinical measurement. Both figures describe parts of the same blood pressure reading; neither alone tells whether someone has a health condition.
How to read the result
The category is a screening reference for one reading, not a diagnosis. For age-related context, see our guide to normal blood pressure by age. Blood pressure can vary with time of day, activity, stress, cuff fit, posture, and the measurement setting. A single result, whether normal or high, cannot diagnose or rule out hypertension. If readings are repeatedly above the normal range, share a record with a doctor and ask what follow-up is appropriate. The guideline bases clinical assessment on properly measured readings and the overall picture, rather than a single calculator result (Whelton et al.).
A low reading below 90 systolic or 60 diastolic is noted separately because symptoms and the person's usual readings matter. Some people have lower readings without a problem. If low readings come with dizziness, fainting, confusion, or weakness, contact a doctor; seek prompt care for fainting or severe symptoms. Discuss recurring low readings, especially if they are new or you feel unwell. See our guide to low blood pressure symptoms for more context. Do not change prescribed medicines based on this checker.
For a very high measurement, sit quietly and repeat it after a few minutes. If the repeat remains at or above 180 systolic or 120 diastolic and warning symptoms are present, call 911. Symptoms listed in the warning above need emergency attention. Without symptoms, contact a health professional promptly for guidance about a persistently very high reading.
Making a useful home record
Use the same arm and a properly fitting cuff, and take readings under similar conditions. Sit with your back supported, arm at heart level, and feet on the floor. Take two readings a minute apart and average them. Write down the date, time, both readings, and any symptoms or unusual circumstances. The American Heart Association statement notes that validated devices and careful technique matter, and that readings at home may differ from readings in a clinic (Muntner et al.).
Bring the log and, if practical, the monitor to an appointment. Your doctor can check the cuff and technique, look at patterns across days, and decide whether additional measurements are useful. Our guide on how to read a blood pressure result explains the two numbers, and the hypertensive crisis guide covers urgent readings. Tell them about symptoms and any medicines you take. Do not stop or adjust medication without discussing it with the prescriber. For a neutral overview of products discussed on the site, see the heart and circulation supplements comparison guide.
Common questions
What is a normal blood pressure?
In the 2017 ACC/AHA adult categories, normal is below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic. Both values need to be below their cutoffs for the normal category. Age or medical history can affect the care plan, so ask your clinician how to interpret your own readings (Whelton et al.).
Which number matters more?
Both numbers matter. Systolic pressure is the force when the heart beats; diastolic pressure is the force between beats. If they fall in different categories, this checker reports the higher category, based on whichever number is in the higher range.
Does one high reading mean I have hypertension?
No. One measurement cannot establish a diagnosis. Repeat the reading with careful technique, keep a record if readings remain high, and discuss the pattern with a doctor. A reading in the urgent range with warning symptoms needs emergency help.
What does pulse pressure tell me?
It is the systolic value minus the diastolic value. The checker reports the arithmetic for convenience. A pulse pressure result by itself is not a diagnosis; talk with a doctor if you have questions about a repeated pattern.
What if my blood pressure is under 90/60?
The checker notes a reading if systolic is under 90 or diastolic is under 60. Low blood pressure matters especially when it is new or comes with symptoms such as dizziness or fainting. Discuss recurring readings or symptoms with a doctor.
How many readings should I take?
For a home check, take two readings one minute apart and average them. Rest first, sit with your back supported, and keep your arm at heart level. Keep a log over time if your clinician asks for one (Muntner et al.).
Sources
- Whelton PK et al. 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. PubMed PMID 29146535.
- Muntner P et al. Measurement of Blood Pressure in Humans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. PubMed PMID 30827125.
Where to go next
This checker is general health information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Talk with a doctor about repeated readings, symptoms, or questions about your care.