Normal Vital Signs Ranges (Adult & Pediatric)
Vital signs — temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation — show how the body is working. Knowing the normal ranges (and when a value should be reported) is core knowledge for nursing assistants, home health aides, medication aides, and phlebotomists. Below are the adult ranges, the pediatric ranges by age, and the American Heart Association blood-pressure categories, each from an authoritative source.
Educational reference only — not medical advice. Normal ranges vary by source, individual, age, and clinical situation; always follow your facility's policy and the nurse's direction.
Adult normal ranges (at rest)
| Vital sign | Normal range | When to report |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | ~98.6°F (37°C); normal range 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C) | Fever at 100.4°F (38°C) or higher; report a very low temperature too |
| Pulse (heart rate) | 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) | Report below 60 (bradycardia) or above 100 (tachycardia), or an irregular pulse |
| Respirations | 12–20 breaths per minute | Report below 12 or above 20, or labored/noisy breathing |
| Blood pressure | Less than 120/80 mmHg | See the AHA categories below; report very high or very low readings |
| Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) | 95–100% | 92% or lower: call the provider; 88% or lower: emergency |
Pediatric ranges by age (heart & respiratory rate)
Children normally have a faster heart rate and breathing rate than adults; both slow toward adult values with age.
| Age group | Heart rate (bpm) | Respiratory rate (breaths/min) |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–3 months) | 110–160 | 30–60 |
| Infant (3–6 months) | 100–150 | 30–45 |
| Infant (6–12 months) | 90–130 | 25–40 |
| Toddler (1–3 years) | 80–125 | 20–30 |
| Preschooler (3–6 years) | 70–115 | 20–25 |
| School-age (6–12 years) | 60–100 | 14–22 |
| Adolescent (12–18 years) | 60–100 | 12–18 |
Blood-pressure categories (AHA)
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 mmHg | and | Less than 80 mmHg |
| Elevated | 120–129 mmHg | and | Less than 80 mmHg |
| Hypertension Stage 1 | 130–139 mmHg | or | 80–89 mmHg |
| Hypertension Stage 2 | 140 or higher mmHg | or | 90 or higher mmHg |
| Hypertensive Crisis | Higher than 180 mmHg | and/or | Higher than 120 mmHg |
A hypertensive crisis (higher than 180 and/or higher than 120) needs emergency care.
Practice vital signs for your exam
Vital signs are tested across several healthcare certifications. Practice free, with answer explanations:
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal adult pulse (heart rate)?
A normal resting adult heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Below 60 is called bradycardia and above 100 is called tachycardia; an irregular pulse or a rate outside this range is reported to the nurse.
What is a normal respiratory rate?
A normal adult respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Count respirations without the person knowing (people change their breathing when watched). Report rates below 12 or above 20, or labored breathing.
What blood pressure is considered high?
Per the American Heart Association, normal is less than 120/80 mmHg. 120–129/less than 80 is Elevated; 130–139 or 80–89 is Stage 1 hypertension; 140 or higher or 90 or higher is Stage 2; and higher than 180 and/or higher than 120 is a hypertensive crisis needing emergency care.
What is a normal body temperature, and what counts as a fever?
The average normal body temperature is about 98.6°F (37°C), with a normal range of roughly 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C). A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is generally considered a fever.
What is a normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) level?
For most people a normal pulse-oximeter oxygen saturation is 95% to 100%. A reading of 92% or lower should be reported to the provider, and 88% or lower needs emergency attention. People with chronic lung disease may have a different baseline set by their provider.
Are vital sign ranges different for children?
Yes — children normally have a faster heart rate and respiratory rate than adults, and both slow with age toward adult values. See the pediatric table above for heart-rate and respiratory-rate ranges from newborn through adolescent.
When should abnormal vital signs be reported?
Report any value outside the normal range, any sudden change from the person's baseline, and any sign of distress — an aide measures and reports vital signs to the supervising nurse but does not diagnose or change treatment.
Sources: American Heart Association (blood-pressure categories); NIH StatPearls, “Vital Signs” (adult temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate); Cleveland Clinic (oxygen saturation and pediatric heart/respiratory rates by age). Educational reference only — not medical advice.