Health
Which standard adult band a reading falls in — plus pulse pressure. This is information only, not a diagnosis.
Enter one reading in mmHg. Results update as you type. All calculations run locally in your browser.
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| Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | < 120 | < 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | < 80 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130–139 | 80–89 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | ≥ 140 | ≥ 90 |
| Hypertensive crisis | > 180 | > 120 |
A reading takes the higher of the two bands it qualifies for: 135/85 is Stage 1 because the diastolic 85 falls in the Stage 1 range even though the systolic 135 is also Stage 1. Bands follow the widely used adult classification; children, pregnancy, and some conditions use different thresholds.
Pulse pressure = systolic − diastolic. Category is assigned from the higher of the systolic band and the diastolic band, with readings over 180 systolic or over 120 diastolic flagged as hypertensive crisis regardless of the other number.
135/85: systolic 135 falls in 130–139 (Stage 1) and diastolic 85 falls in 80–89 (Stage 1), so the category is Stage 1 hypertension. Pulse pressure = 135 − 85 = 50 mmHg. A single reading does not diagnose hypertension — diagnosis rests on repeated readings over time, interpreted by a clinician.
One reading is a snapshot: blood pressure varies through the day, with stress, caffeine, exercise, and cuff position. This page does not diagnose, stage, or recommend treatment for any condition, and it does not replace a clinician's reading of your history. If you get a crisis-range reading, especially with chest pain, shortness of breath, or neurological symptoms, seek emergency care promptly rather than re-measuring repeatedly. Thresholds here are the standard adult bands; they do not apply to children or to pregnancy without clinical adjustment.
Systolic is the pressure when the heart contracts; diastolic is the pressure between beats. Both matter — the category uses whichever falls in the higher band.
No. Diagnosis requires repeated elevated readings over time, usually including readings taken outside the clinic. A single high reading is a reason to recheck, not a diagnosis.
White-coat effect: stress in a clinical setting raises readings for many people. Home readings taken with correct technique are often lower and are part of the diagnostic picture.
Seated, back supported, feet flat, arm at heart height, correct cuff size, no caffeine or exercise in the prior 30 minutes, and a few minutes of rest first. Two readings a minute apart, averaged, beat one rushed reading.
The gap between systolic and diastolic — 50 mmHg in the example. A wide gap can reflect stiff arteries, but it is interpreted alongside the absolute numbers, not alone.
For a reading over 180 systolic or over 120 diastolic, especially with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking — seek emergency care promptly.
Results are estimates only and do not constitute professional advice.