Interactive Tool: What Is Your Target Heart Rate?

What does this tool measure?

Click here to find your target heart rate.

This tool will help you find your target heart rate based on your age and how active you are. Your target heart rate is what you should aim for when exercising to get the most aerobic benefit.

When exercising, you can use your target heart rate to tell you how hard to exercise. Depending on your current fitness level, you may want to start at the low end of your range and increase gradually.

Target heart rate is only a guide. Each individual is different, so pay attention to how you feel, how hard you are breathing, how fast your heart is beating, and how much you feel the exertion in your muscles.

Do not use the target heart rate measurement if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin. If you have a heart condition or another chronic disease, talk to your doctor before starting to exercise.

Health Tools

Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

	Interactive tools are designed to help people determine health risks, ideal weight, target heart rate, and more.
	Target heart rate

What does your score mean?

Your results will be categorized by activity levels. To find your target heart rate range, choose the category that best matches your level of physical activity. The categories are:

• Inactive. (You rarely or only occasionally exercise.)
• Moderately active. (You exercise 3 or more times per week.)
• Very active. (You exercise vigorously and regularly.)

What's next?

Try to make physical activity a regular and essential part of your day. Start slowly and be sure to consult your doctor first if you haven't been active. For more information, see the topic Fitness.

Source: McArdle WD, et al. (1991). Training for anaerobic and aerobic power. In Exercise Physiology, 3rd ed., pp. 423–451. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.