You check your smartwatch, see a number, and wonder: is that too high, too low, or just right? Your resting heart rate is one of the most accessible signals your body gives you, yet the ranges can feel confusing. This guide cuts through the noise, giving you clear, source-backed thresholds by age and gender, and explaining exactly when that number is a reason to call your doctor.
Normal adult resting heart rate: 60–100 bpm ·
Bradycardia threshold: Below 60 bpm ·
Tachycardia threshold: Above 100 bpm ·
Athlete resting heart rate: 40–60 bpm ·
Children (6–15) resting heart rate: 70–100 bpm
Quick snapshot
- Normal adult resting heart rate: 60–100 bpm (British Heart Foundation (UK heart charity))
- Bradycardia defined as less than 60 bpm (Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (NHS provider))
- Tachycardia defined as more than 100 bpm (Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (NHS provider))
- Optimal resting heart rate for longevity not definitively established
- Whether low rates in non-athletes are harmful is debated
- No urgent timeline: this is a reference guide, not a breaking event
- Check your own resting heart rate and compare to your age group
- Consult a doctor if your rate is consistently outside normal ranges with symptoms
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Normal adult resting heart rate | 60–100 bpm |
| Bradycardia (slow) | <60 bpm |
| Tachycardia (fast) | >100 bpm |
| Athlete resting heart rate | 40–60 bpm |
| Children (6–15) resting heart rate | 70–100 bpm |
| Average for adult women | 79 bpm (Cleveland Clinic (US hospital & research centre)) |
| Mean pulse rate, women 40+ | 73 bpm (CDC (US public health agency)) |
The pattern: a single resting heart rate reading is a snapshot; your baseline over time tells the real story.
What is a good resting heart rate by age?
Normal resting heart rate for adults
- The standard medical range for a healthy adult resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, as defined by the British Heart Foundation (UK heart charity) and the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (specialist cardiac hospital).
- Within that range, many clinicians consider 55–85 bpm as optimal for most healthy adults, according to Harvard Health Publishing (Harvard Medical School division).
A heart rate consistently near 100 bpm at rest isn’t technically abnormal, but it places you at the high edge of the range. For a sedentary adult, that can signal deconditioning — the heart works harder to maintain circulation.
Resting heart rate by age groups
- Children (6–15): 70–100 bpm is normal; rates naturally slow as children grow.
- Adults (18–64): 60–100 bpm remains the standard reference range.
- Older adults (65+): 60–90 bpm is typical, though individual health conditions may shift this.
- Athletes and highly fit individuals: 40–60 bpm is common, reflecting an efficient heart.
One pattern across all age groups: resting heart rate tends to decline with physical conditioning. The CDC’s National Health Statistics Report documents that mean pulse rates are lower in older female cohorts compared to younger ones, suggesting that age alone is not the primary driver — fitness and health status matter more.
Gender differences in resting heart rate
- Women typically have slightly higher resting heart rates than men. The Cleveland Clinic (US hospital & research centre) reports the average resting heart rate for adult women is 79 bpm.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.