# Lung Capacity Calculator (Predicted Lung Volumes)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/lung-capacity/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The lung capacity calculator predicts normal lung volumes for your sex, age and height – total lung capacity, vital capacity, FVC, FEV1, residual volume and functional residual capacity – with the European (ECSC/ERS 1993) reference equations.

## Inputs

- Sex
- Age (years)
- Height (cm, in, m, ft, mm)
- Measured FVC (optional) (L)

## Results

- Total lung capacity
- Vital capacity
- Forced vital capacity
- FEV1
- Residual volume
- Functional residual capacity
- Your FVC as % of predicted

## Formula

```
Men: TLC = 7.99H − 7.08; VC = 6.10H − 0.028A − 4.65; FVC = 5.76H − 0.026A − 4.34; FEV1 = 4.30H − 0.029A − 2.49; RV = 1.31H + 0.022A − 1.23; FRC = 2.34H + 0.009A − 1.09
Women: TLC = 6.60H − 5.79; VC = 4.66H − 0.026A − 3.28; FVC = 4.43H − 0.026A − 2.89; FEV1 = 3.95H − 0.025A − 2.60; RV = 1.81H + 0.016A − 2.00; FRC = 2.24H + 0.001A − 1.00   (H in m, A in years, litres)
```

## Explanation

Lung size depends mainly on height, sex and age. Measured values are compared with these predictions as a percentage; below about 80% of predicted is generally abnormal. Newer GLI equations account for ethnicity and use lower limits of normal.

### How to use the Lung Capacity Calculator

- **Sex**
- **Age**
- **Height**
- **Measured FVC (optional)**

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

### How it works

Enter sex, age and height; add a measured FVC to see the percentage of predicted.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterSexChoose one: Male, FemaleAgeIn yearsHeightUnits: cm, in, m, ft, mmMeasured FVC (optional)In L

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Age** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Age (years)Total lung capacity (L)206.9306.9406.9506.9606.9806.9
*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 — Sex: Male; Age: 40 years; Height: 175 cm; Measured FVC (optional): 0 L.

Results — **Total lung capacity = 6.9 L**; Vital capacity = 4.9 L; Forced vital capacity = 4.7 L; FEV1 = 3.88 L; Residual volume = 1.94 L; Functional residual capacity = 3.37 L; Your FVC as % of predicted = 100 %.

## Key terms

- **TLC**: Total lung capacity.
- **RV**: Residual volume.
- **FRC**: Functional residual capacity.

## FAQ

**What is a normal lung capacity?**
About 6 litres total lung capacity in an average adult man and 4.2 litres in a woman.

**Can lung capacity be increased?**
Exercise improves breathing efficiency but does not change lung size much.

**Why do lung volumes fall with age?**
The chest wall stiffens and lung elasticity declines.


## Sources

- [Quanjer PH et al. Lung volumes and forced ventilatory flows (ECSC/ERS 1993). Eur Respir J Suppl, 1993](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8499054/)