# Pediatric Blood Pressure Calculator (Screening)

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

> The pediatric blood pressure calculator checks a child's blood pressure against the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics simplified screening thresholds by age and sex, and flags readings that need further evaluation.

## Inputs

- Sex
- Age (years)
- Systolic (mmHg)
- Diastolic (mmHg)

## Results

- Screening threshold – systolic
- Screening threshold – diastolic
- Result

## Formula

```
Readings at or above the age- and sex-specific screening values need repeat measurement and full percentile assessment
Age 13 and over: elevated ≥ 120/80, stage 1 ≥ 130/80, stage 2 ≥ 140/90 (adult thresholds)
```

## Explanation

High blood pressure in children is often missed. The AAP simplified table lists the 90th percentile for the shortest children at each age, so any reading below it is normal; readings above it need a full assessment using height percentile tables.

### How to use the Pediatric Blood Pressure Calculator

- **Sex**
- **Age**
- **Systolic**
- **Diastolic**

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

### How it works

Enter sex, age and the blood pressure measured with an appropriately sized cuff after 3–5 minutes of rest.

### AAP screening thresholds (mmHg)

AgeBoysGirls198/5298/542100/55101/583101/58102/604102/60103/625103/63104/646105/66105/677106/68106/688107/69107/699107/70108/7110108/72109/7211110/74111/7412113/75114/7513 and over120/80120/80

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterSexChoose one: Male, FemaleAgeIn yearsSystolicIn mmHgDiastolicIn mmHg
*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: 8 years; Systolic: 104 mmHg; Diastolic: 64 mmHg.

Results — Screening threshold – systolic = 107 mmHg; Screening threshold – diastolic = 69 mmHg; **Result = Normal**.

## Key terms

- **Percentile tables**: Blood pressure norms by age, sex and height percentile.

## FAQ

**At what age should children's blood pressure be checked?**
Every year from age 3, or earlier with risk factors.

**Why use the shortest-child values?**
They give a single threshold that never misses an abnormal reading.

**What causes high blood pressure in children?**
Obesity is the most common cause in older children; kidney disease is more common in younger ones.


## Sources

- [Flynn JT et al. Clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 2017](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28827377/)