Blood Pressure Calculator
Enter your blood pressure reading to see its category, from normal to stage 2 high blood pressure and hypertensive crisis, and what to do next.
Category
High blood pressure, stage 1
- Pulse pressure
- 46 mmHg
- Mean arterial pressure
- 97 mmHg
128/82 mmHg is "high blood pressure, stage 1". Talk to a doctor. Less salt, more activity and weight loss help, and medicine may be advised depending on your overall risk.
How it's worked out
- Reading128/82 mmHg
- Category
the higher category of the two numbers countsHigh blood pressure, stage 1
Blood pressure categories (AHA 2017)
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | below 120 | and | below 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and | below 80 |
| Stage 1 | 130 to 139 | or | 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Crisis | above 180 | and/or | above 120 |
- One reading isn't a diagnosis. Sit quietly for five minutes, arm at heart level, and average two or more readings on different days. Pregnancy and children use different ranges.
The categories
Normal: below 120 and below 80 · Elevated: 120 to 129 and below 80 · Stage 1: 130 to 139 or 80 to 89 · Stage 2: 140+ or 90+ · Crisis: above 180 and/or above 120
When the two numbers fall in different categories, the higher one counts.
Worked example
A reading of 128/82: the systolic is elevated, but the diastolic of 82 is stage 1, so the reading is stage 1 high blood pressure.
Questions people ask
What is normal blood pressure?
Below 120/80 mmHg for adults. 120 to 129 systolic with a diastolic below 80 is called elevated.
Is 130/80 high blood pressure?
Yes: 130 to 139 systolic, or 80 to 89 diastolic, is stage 1 high blood pressure under the 2017 American Heart Association guideline.
When is blood pressure an emergency?
Above 180 systolic or 120 diastolic. Measure again after five minutes; if it stays that high, especially with chest pain, breathlessness or weakness, get help straight away.
About this calculator
Formula and rules last checked 25 October 2026Written and tested by the CalculatorDex teamReport a problem