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Normal Vital Signs

Updated: Feb 16, 2024

Author: Edward Charbek, MD, FCCP; Chief Editor: Buck Christensen more...

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Normal Vital Signs

In most medical settings, the four standard primary vital signs are as follows^[1,2,3,4]:

Heart rate (pulse)
Respiratory rate
Blood pressure
Body temperature

Normal values for each of these vital signs vary by age and, in some cases, by sex. They also may vary based on weight, exercise capability, and overall health.

In healthy adults at rest, normal values are as follows^[2]:

Heart rate (pulse): 60-100 bpm
Respiratory rate: 12-18 breaths per minute
Blood pressure: between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg
Temperature: 97.8°F (36.5°C) to 99.1°F (37.3°C); average 98.6°F (37°C)

Normal Heart Rate

Table 1. Normal Heart Rate by Age (Open Table in a new window)

Approximate Age Range	Heart Rate
Newborn	100-160
0-3 months	70-170
6-12 months	80-140
1-3 years	80-130
3-5 years	80-120
6-10 years	70-110
11-14 years	60-105
15 years or older	60-100

Normal Respiratory Rate

Table 2. Normal Respiratory Rate by Age (Open Table in a new window)

Approximate Age Range	Respiratory Rate
0-3 months	30-60
3-11 months	25-60
1-3 years	20-40
3-6 years	20-40
6-12 years	14-30
13 years and older	12-20

Normal Blood Pressure

The normal blood pressure in adults is 120 (systolic)/80 (diastolic). Normal blood pressure in children and adolescents varies by age.

Table 3. Normal Blood Pressure by Age in Children and Adolescents (Open Table in a new window)

Approximate Age Range	Systolic Range	Diastolic Range
0 to 3 months	65-104	37-65
3 to 11 months	70-105	41-65
1 to 3 years	86-107	41-78
3 to 6 years	90-110	47-75
6 to 12 years	90-121	59-80
13 years and older	102-124	64-80

Normal Body Temperature

The average normal core temperature is generally considered to be between 97.8°F and 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C); the average is 98.6°F (37°C).

American College of Emergency Physicians. ER 101: Vital Signs. American College of Emergency Physicians. Available athttps://www.emergencycareforyou.org/VitalCareMagazine/ER101/Default.aspx?id=500. Accessed: December 11, 2014.
Vital Signs. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available athttps://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002341.htm. Reviewed February 2, 2023; Accessed: February 16, 2024.
Pediatric Vital Signs Normal Ranges. University of Iowa Health Care. Available athttps://medicine.uiowa.edu/iowaprotocols/pediatric-vital-signs-normal-ranges. 2/12/2024; Accessed: 2/16/2024.
Cleveland Clinic. What You Need to Know About Infant and Children’s Vital Signs. Cleveland Clinic. Available athttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/pediatric-vital-signs. October 12, 2022; Accessed: February 16, 2024.

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Tables

Table 1. Normal Heart Rate by Age

Approximate Age Range	Heart Rate
Newborn	100-160
0-3 months	70-170
6-12 months	80-140
1-3 years	80-130
3-5 years	80-120
6-10 years	70-110
11-14 years	60-105
15 years or older	60-100

Table 2. Normal Respiratory Rate by Age

Approximate Age Range	Respiratory Rate
0-3 months	30-60
3-11 months	25-60
1-3 years	20-40
3-6 years	20-40
6-12 years	14-30
13 years and older	12-20

Table 3. Normal Blood Pressure by Age in Children and Adolescents

Approximate Age Range	Systolic Range	Diastolic Range
0 to 3 months	65-104	37-65
3 to 11 months	70-105	41-65
1 to 3 years	86-107	41-78
3 to 6 years	90-110	47-75
6 to 12 years	90-121	59-80
13 years and older	102-124	64-80

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Edward Charbek, MD, FCCP Associate Professor, Associate Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary-Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, SSM Health St Louis University Hospital; Medical Director, Kindred Hospital-St Louis

Edward Charbek, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies:American College of Chest Physicians,American Thoracic Society,Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Normal Vital Signs