Blood Pressure Calculator

Enter your systolic and diastolic readings to classify your blood pressure under AHA/ACC 2017 or ESC/ESH 2018 guidelines and compute Pulse Pressure and Mean Arterial Pressure.

By Drew Budwin · Last updated July 2026 · Methodology

Not sure which to pick? Use AHA/ACC 2017 if you're in the US or saw it on a recent US doctor's report. Use ESC/ESH 2018 if you're outside the US or comparing against European guidelines.

Upper number (70–250)

Lower number (40–150)

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How We Calculate This

How This Calculator Classifies Your Reading

This calculator applies the American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology 2017 guideline by default. That guideline sorts adult readings into five categories:

  • Normal: below 120/80 mmHg
  • Elevated: systolic 120–129 and diastolic below 80
  • Stage 1 Hypertension: systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89
  • Stage 2 Hypertension: systolic at or above 140 or diastolic at or above 90
  • Hypertensive Crisis: systolic above 180 or diastolic above 120

When your systolic and diastolic fall in different categories, the higher of the two governs. A reading of 125/82 mmHg is Stage 1 Hypertension because the diastolic of 82 outranks the systolic of 125.

Why We Show Both AHA and ESC Guidelines

The AHA/ACC 2017 guideline sets the hypertension threshold at 130/80 mmHg. The European Society of Cardiology / European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH) 2018 guideline sets it at 140/90 mmHg. The same reading can land in different categories depending on which one you apply.

This divergence is not an error. The two bodies weighed the trial evidence differently and drew the line at different points. US clinicians follow AHA/ACC; much of the rest of the world follows ESC/ESH. This calculator computes both so you can compare your reading against the standard your clinician uses.

What Pulse Pressure and MAP Add

Pulse Pressure (PP) is systolic minus diastolic. It reflects the force each heartbeat generates. About 40 mmHg is typical, which is 120 minus 80.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the average pressure across one cardiac cycle. A MAP of at least 60 mmHg is generally considered the minimum to perfuse vital organs.

PP = Systolic − Diastolic
MAP = Diastolic + (1/3 × PP)

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personal health decisions, consult a qualified healthcare provider. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings — AHA

Blood Pressure Calculator Formula

Pulse Pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure:

PP = Systolic − Diastolic

PP = Pulse Pressure (mmHg). Integer result from integer inputs.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the weighted average of systolic and diastolic:

MAP = Diastolic + (1/3 × PP) = (2/3 × Diastolic) + (1/3 × Systolic)

MAP = Mean Arterial Pressure (mmHg), rounded to 1 decimal place.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your Systolic (upper) blood pressure reading in mmHg. It must be between 70 and 250.
  2. Enter your Diastolic (lower) blood pressure reading in mmHg. It must be between 40 and 150 and less than systolic.
  3. Select a clinical guideline: AHA/ACC 2017 (American Heart Association, US standard) or ESC/ESH 2018 (European Society of Cardiology, international standard). AHA/ACC 2017 is the default.
  4. Click Calculate to see your BP category, Pulse Pressure, MAP, and gauge position.
  5. Switch the guideline toggle at any time to compare AHA/ACC 2017 and ESC/ESH 2018 classifications without re-submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a normal blood pressure by age?

No. Current guidelines set the same thresholds for all adults. Under AHA/ACC 2017, normal is below 120/80 mmHg whether you are 25 or 75. Older charts that listed higher 'normal' values by age (for example 140/90 at age 60) are outdated and no longer used. Blood pressure does tend to rise with age, but a higher reading is treated as elevated or hypertensive at any age, not as a new normal. Talk to your clinician about your target.

What is the difference between AHA/ACC 2017 and ESC/ESH 2018 guidelines?

AHA/ACC 2017 (American Heart Association) uses five categories: Normal, Elevated, Stage 1 Hypertension, Stage 2 Hypertension, and Hypertensive Crisis. It sets the Stage 1 threshold at 130/80 mmHg. ESC/ESH 2018 (European Society of Cardiology) uses six categories: Optimal, Normal, High Normal, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 Hypertension. It sets the Grade 1 threshold at 140/90 mmHg. As a result, AHA/ACC 2017 classifies more people as hypertensive at lower values. Use the BMI calculator for additional health screening.

What is Pulse Pressure and why does it matter?

Pulse Pressure (PP) is simply systolic minus diastolic. A wide pulse pressure (above 60 mmHg) can indicate arterial stiffness or other cardiovascular conditions. A narrow pulse pressure (below 25 mmHg) may suggest low stroke volume. Normal pulse pressure is about 40 mmHg (systolic 120 minus diastolic 80).

What is Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)?

MAP is the average pressure in your arteries during one cardiac cycle. It is calculated as diastolic plus one-third of pulse pressure. A MAP of at least 60 mmHg is generally considered the minimum to perfuse vital organs. A MAP above 100 mmHg may signal hypertension requiring attention. See the BMR calculator if you are also monitoring metabolic health.

Why does the category change when I switch the guideline toggle?

AHA/ACC 2017 and ESC/ESH 2018 use different threshold boundaries and category structures. The same reading may fall in different categories depending on which guideline you apply. This calculator always computes both in the background and switches the displayed result and gauge when you toggle the guideline.

Why does the higher reading determine my category?

Clinical practice follows the rule that whichever reading (systolic or diastolic) produces the higher BP category governs the diagnosis. For example, a reading of 125/82 mmHg under AHA/ACC 2017 is Stage 1 Hypertension: the diastolic of 82 (in the 80–89 range) pushes it to Stage 1, even though systolic 125 would only suggest Elevated on its own.

Is this tool a substitute for medical advice?

No. This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation of your blood pressure readings and any health decisions.

Further Reading

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