Max Heart Rate
The familiar "220 − age" overestimates for the young and underestimates for older adults. The Tanaka equation (208 − 0.7 × age) tracks reality better.
Your numbers
Max heart rate
184bpm
Result
185bpm
Formula
Max heart rate = 208 − 0.7 × Age (Tanaka)
Individual variation runs ±10–12 bpm — only a graded exercise test gives your true maximum.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| AgeAge in completed years — it shifts by one depending on the birthday. | 35 | 5 ~ 100 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Age changes and everything else stays put.
| Age | Max heart rate (bpm) | Result (bpm) |
|---|---|---|
| 17.5 | 196 | 203 |
| 26.3 | 190 | 194 |
| 35 | 184 | 185 |
| 52.5 | 171 | 168 |
| 70 | 159 | 150 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Max heart rate (bpm)Maximum heart rate estimated from age; individual variation is large. | 184 |
| Result (bpm)What the formula gives back — the answer this page is for. | 185 |
Common mistakes
Individual variation runs ±10–12 bpm — only a graded exercise test gives your true maximum.
Glossary
- Age
- Age in completed years — it shifts by one depending on the birthday.
- Max heart rate
- Maximum heart rate estimated from age; individual variation is large.
- Result
- What the formula gives back — the answer this page is for.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Max Heart Rate calculated?
Max heart rate = 208 − 0.7 × Age (Tanaka) — The familiar "220 − age" overestimates for the young and underestimates for older adults. The Tanaka equation (208 − 0.7 × age) tracks reality better.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Age 35, the answer is Max heart rate 184bpm.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Age. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Age moves the answer to Age 17.5 → Max heart rate (bpm) 196 and Age 70 → Max heart rate (bpm) 159. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Individual variation runs ±10–12 bpm — only a graded exercise test gives your true maximum.
Related calculators
These calculators help you understand health figures; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription. See a clinician if you have symptoms.