# Blood Pressure Calculator (Category, MAP and Pulse Pressure)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/blood-pressure/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The blood pressure calculator classifies your reading with the 2017 ACC/AHA categories – normal, elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension, or hypertensive crisis – and also works out mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure. Average several readings for the most reliable result.

## Inputs

- Reading 1 – systolic (mmHg)
- Reading 1 – diastolic (mmHg)
- Reading 2 – systolic (0 to skip) (mmHg)
- Reading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip) (mmHg)
- Reading 3 – systolic (0 to skip) (mmHg)
- Reading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip) (mmHg)

## Results

- Average systolic
- Average diastolic
- Blood pressure category (ACC/AHA)
- Category (ESC/ESH 140/90 guideline)
- Mean arterial pressure
- Pulse pressure

## Formula

```
Category from the higher of the systolic and diastolic categories
MAP = DBP + (SBP − DBP) ÷ 3
Pulse pressure = SBP − DBP
```

## Explanation

High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms but is the leading risk factor for stroke and heart attack worldwide. The 2017 American guideline lowered the threshold for hypertension to 130/80 mmHg; European and many other guidelines still use 140/90.

### How to use the Blood Pressure Calculator

- **Reading 1 – systolic**
- **Reading 1 – diastolic**
- **Reading 2 – systolic (0 to skip)**
- **Reading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip)**
- **Reading 3 – systolic (0 to skip)**
- **Reading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip)**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported, feet flat and arm at heart level, then take two or three readings a minute apart. Enter up to three readings; the calculator averages them and classifies the result. A reading above 180/120 needs urgent medical attention.

### Blood pressure categories (ACC/AHA 2017)

Category (ACC/AHA 2017)Systolic (mmHg)Diastolic (mmHg)Normalbelow 120andbelow 80Elevated120–129andbelow 80Stage 1 hypertension130–139or80–89Stage 2 hypertension140 or higheror90 or higherHypertensive crisisabove 180and/orabove 120

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterReading 1 – systolicIn mmHgReading 1 – diastolicIn mmHgReading 2 – systolic (0 to skip)In mmHgReading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip)In mmHgReading 3 – systolic (0 to skip)In mmHgReading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip)In mmHg

### What each result means

- **Average systolic** = ([Reading 1 – systolic] + [Reading 2 – systolic (0 to skip)] + [Reading 3 – systolic (0 to skip)])÷(1 + ([Reading 2 – systolic (0 to skip)] > 0) + ([Reading 3 – systolic (0 to skip)] > 0))
- **Average diastolic** = ([Reading 1 – diastolic] + [Reading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip)] + [Reading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip)])÷(1 + ([Reading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip)] > 0) + ([Reading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip)] > 0))
- **Mean arterial pressure** = [Average diastolic] + ([Average systolic] - [Average diastolic])÷3
- **Pulse pressure** = [Average systolic] - [Average diastolic]

*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Reading 1 – systolic: 128 mmHg; Reading 1 – diastolic: 82 mmHg; Reading 2 – systolic (0 to skip): 126 mmHg; Reading 2 – diastolic (0 to skip): 80 mmHg; Reading 3 – systolic (0 to skip): 0 mmHg; Reading 3 – diastolic (0 to skip): 0 mmHg.

Results — Average systolic = 127 mmHg; Average diastolic = 81 mmHg; **Blood pressure category (ACC/AHA) = Stage 1 hypertension**; Category (ESC/ESH 140/90 guideline) = Normal; Mean arterial pressure = 96 mmHg; Pulse pressure = 46 mmHg.

## Key terms

- **Systolic**: Pressure when the heart contracts (top number).
- **Diastolic**: Pressure between beats (bottom number).
- **Pulse pressure**: Difference between systolic and diastolic.

## FAQ

**What is normal blood pressure?**
Below 120/80 mmHg.

**What blood pressure is too high?**
130/80 or more is hypertension in US guidelines (140/90 in many others); above 180/120 is a crisis.

**Why should I take several readings?**
Blood pressure varies minute to minute; averaging gives a truer picture.

**Is low blood pressure a problem?**
Only if it causes symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.


## Sources

- [Whelton PK et al. 2017 ACC/AHA guideline for high blood pressure in adults. Hypertension, 2018](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29133356/)
- [Mancia G et al. 2023 ESH guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. J Hypertens, 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37345492/)