What is my blood pressure category?
Enter your systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers, and up to two more readings, to see the average and its category in the ACC/AHA blood pressure guideline for adults.
- Blood pressure category
- Normal
A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg is Normal.
Normal
- Normal
- Elevated
- Stage 1 hypertension
- Stage 2 hypertension
- Systolic
- 118
- Diastolic
- 76
- Readings averaged
- 1
Blood pressure category: Normal. A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg is Normal.
Where does the systolic (top) number fall?
Where does the diastolic (bottom) number fall?
This calculator gives general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor or other health care provider. Talk with a professional about your results. Terms of use
How to calculate
Finds the adult blood pressure category (normal, elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension) from one to three readings, by the ACC/AHA guideline.
Example with the default inputs (Systolic (top number) 118, Diastolic (bottom number) 76): A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg is Normal.
Method: Average the readings and round half up to whole mmHg; systolic: under 120 normal, 120 to 129 elevated, 130 to 139 stage 1, 140 and over stage 2; diastolic: under 80 normal, 80 to 89 stage 1, 90 and over stage 2; the category is the higher of the two.
- The categories are those of the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline for adults, which the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline kept.
- The guideline classifies the average of two or more readings taken on two or more occasions; one reading is a snapshot, not a diagnosis.
- This is not medical advice. Talk to a health care provider about your readings.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Systolic (top number) 118, Diastolic (bottom number) 76 gives Blood pressure category Normal, Systolic 118, Diastolic 76, Readings averaged 1.Source: 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, Table 6: normal is systolic under 120 and diastolic under 80
- Systolic (top number) 124, Diastolic (bottom number) 78 gives Blood pressure category Elevated.Source: 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, Table 6: elevated is systolic 120 to 129 and diastolic under 80
- Systolic (top number) 128, Diastolic (bottom number) 84 gives Blood pressure category Stage 1 hypertension.Source: 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, Table 6 and its note: a person in two categories is in the higher one
- Systolic (top number) 132, Diastolic (bottom number) 78, Second reading: systolic 127, Second reading: diastolic 80, Third reading: systolic 130, Third reading: diastolic 79 gives Systolic 130, Diastolic 79, Readings averaged 3, Blood pressure category Stage 1 hypertension.Source: 2017 ACC/AHA guideline: classify the average of the readings
- Systolic (top number) 185, Diastolic (bottom number) 95 gives Blood pressure category Stage 2 hypertension, Note Above 180/120 mmHg, the severe range in the guideline. Measure again after a rest and talk to a health care provider..Source: 2017 ACC/AHA guideline (stage 2 is 140/90 and over); 2025 AHA/ACC guideline (severe above 180/120)
How it works
1. Average the readings. Enter one reading (systolic and diastolic, in whole mmHg), and optionally a second and a third. A reading counts only when both of its numbers are entered; one number without the other gives no answer. The diastolic number must be below the systolic in every reading. The systolic numbers are averaged, and so are the diastolic numbers; each average is rounded half up to a whole mmHg (129.5 becomes 130).
2. Categories of each number (2017 ACC/AHA guideline, Table 6), read from the rounded averages:
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | under 120 | under 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | under 80 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130 to 139 | 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | 140 or more | 90 or more |
Elevated is a systolic-only category: a diastolic number under 80 is normal.
3. The category is the higher of the systolic and diastolic categories, in the order normal, elevated, stage 1, stage 2.
4. Severe range. When the average is above 180 systolic or above 120 diastolic, a note reads: "Above 180/120 mmHg, the severe range in the guideline. Measure again after a rest and talk to a health care provider."
The two charts show where the systolic and diastolic averages fall in their category bands.
Rounding. Every “rounded half up” on this page reads the decimal value: a result within 1e-9 (relative) of a half counts as the half. For example, 80 ÷ 1.6², which a computer stores as 31.249999999999993, rounds to 31.3.
Assumptions
- The categories are for adults, from the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline; the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline, which replaced it, kept the same categories.
- The guideline classifies the average of two or more careful readings on two or more occasions. A single reading is a snapshot, not a diagnosis.
- This calculator gives general information. It is not medical advice; talk to a health care provider about your blood pressure.
Worked examples by hand
118/76. Systolic 118 is under 120 and diastolic 76 is under 80: normal.
124/78. Systolic 124 is 120 to 129 and diastolic 78 is under 80: elevated.
128/84. Systolic 128 is elevated; diastolic 84 is 80 to 89, stage 1. The higher category counts: stage 1 hypertension.
Three readings: 132/78, 127/80 and 130/79. Systolic average = (132 + 127 + 130) ÷ 3 = 129.67, rounded to 130; diastolic average = (78 + 80 + 79) ÷ 3 = 79. 130 is stage 1 and 79 is normal, so the category is stage 1 hypertension.
185/95. Systolic 185 is 140 or more and diastolic 95 is 90 or more: stage 2 hypertension. 185 is above 180, so the severe-range note shows.
Other questions people ask
What are the blood pressure categories?
For adults, the ACC/AHA guideline uses four: normal (under 120 and under 80), elevated (120 to 129 and under 80), stage 1 hypertension (130 to 139 or 80 to 89) and stage 2 hypertension (140 or more, or 90 or more). The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline kept these categories.
My top and bottom numbers are in different categories. Which counts?
The higher one. For example, 128/84 has an elevated systolic number and a stage 1 diastolic number, so the category is stage 1 hypertension.
Why enter more than one reading?
Blood pressure changes from minute to minute. The guideline bases the category on the average of at least two readings taken on at least two occasions. This calculator averages the readings you enter and rounds the average to a whole number.
Is 180/120 an emergency?
The 2025 guideline calls readings above 180/120 severe hypertension and asks for the measurement to be repeated. Rest a few minutes and measure again. If it stays that high, contact a health care provider now. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or trouble speaking need emergency care.
How should I measure my blood pressure at home?
Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported, feet flat and arm resting at heart level, with the cuff on bare skin. Do not smoke, exercise or have caffeine for 30 minutes before. Take two readings a minute apart.
Does this apply to children or pregnancy?
No. Children and teens use blood pressure percentiles for their age, sex and height, and pregnancy has its own thresholds. This calculator is for adults.