Log several readings and this tracker averages them for you, the way you’d calculate average blood pressure from 3 readings by hand, then shows the category of the average. It is informational only, and nothing is saved.
Tip: take readings at rest, sitting, at similar times of day. Categories use common AHA adult ranges. Your clinician may set different personal targets.
How to Calculate Average Blood Pressure from 3 Readings
Add the three systolic numbers and divide by 3, then do the same with the three diastolic numbers. For readings of 118/76, 122/78 and 116/74, that is 356 ÷ 3 = 118.7 and 228 ÷ 3 = 76, so the average is 119/76, which falls in the Normal range.
- Add the top numbers: 118 + 122 + 116 = 356.
- Divide by the number of readings: 356 ÷ 3 = 118.7, rounded to 119.
- Repeat for the bottom numbers: 76 + 78 + 74 = 228, and 228 ÷ 3 = 76.
- Match 119/76 to a category: both numbers are under 120/80, so it is Normal.
To average two blood pressure readings, halve the sums instead: 124/78 and 126/76 give 125/77.
What the Average Blood Pressure Readings Calculator Does
It averages every reading you log in one sitting and matches the result to a reference category, which beats relying on one number.
Formula: Average systolic = sum of logged Systolic values ÷ number of readings (rounded). Average diastolic = sum of logged Diastolic values ÷ number of readings (rounded). Average pulse = sum of logged Pulse values ÷ number of readings that included pulse (rounded). The averaged systolic/diastolic pair is then matched to a category, checked in this order: systolic > 180 or diastolic > 120 = Hypertensive crisis; systolic ≥ 140 or diastolic ≥ 90 = Hypertension stage 2; systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89 = Hypertension stage 1; systolic 120–129 and diastolic < 80 = Elevated; systolic < 120 and diastolic < 80 = Normal.
- Systolic: the top number of each blood pressure reading you log
- Diastolic: the bottom number of each blood pressure reading you log
- Pulse (optional): your heart rate for that reading, if your monitor shows it
Example Averages
| Logged readings (systolic/diastolic) | Average | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 118/76, 122/78, 116/74 | 119/76 | Normal |
| 124/78, 126/76 | 125/77 | Elevated |
| 128/82, 132/84 | 130/83 | Hypertension stage 1 |
| 145/92, 150/95, 138/88 | 144/92 | Hypertension stage 2 |
| 185/115 | 185/115 | Hypertensive crisis |
| 108/68, 112/70, 110/72 | 110/70 | Normal |
How Many Blood Pressure Readings Should I Take?
Take two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, and log each one. An average is only as good as the readings behind it, so keep the same routine.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand, and empty your bladder.
- Sit with your back supported and feet flat, rest for five minutes, and keep your arm supported at heart level.
- Use a validated upper-arm monitor with a cuff that fits; one that is too small tends to read high.
- Keep a morning and evening blood pressure log with the time of each reading, so the average reflects a normal day.
If a reading is very high and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, vision changes or difficulty speaking, call emergency services rather than rechecking here. The blood pressure article on Wikipedia explains systolic and diastolic values, so the numbers in your log make more sense.
Common questions about averaging blood pressure
How do you calculate average blood pressure from 3 readings?
Add the three systolic numbers and divide by 3, then do the same for the diastolic numbers. For 118/76, 122/78 and 116/74 that gives 356 ÷ 3 and 228 ÷ 3, or 119/76 after rounding.How do you average two blood pressure readings?
Add the two top numbers and halve them, then do the same for the bottom numbers. 124/78 and 126/76 average to 125/77.How many blood pressure readings should I take?
The tracker works with as few as one reading, but averaging several resting readings, taken sitting at similar times of day, gives a steadier picture than a single number. That is closer to how clinicians assess blood pressure over multiple checks.What do the blood pressure categories mean?
The tracker groups your averaged reading into Normal, one raised band above Normal, Hypertension stage 1, Hypertension stage 2 or Hypertensive crisis, based on common AHA adult reference ranges. These are general categories, not a diagnosis, and your clinician may set different personal targets.Is my data saved when I close the page?
No. Readings you log are kept on the page only for your current session and aren’t saved to an account or sent anywhere. Refreshing or closing the page clears your log.Can this replace my blood pressure monitor or a doctor visit?
No. This tracker only averages and categorizes numbers you type in; it doesn’t measure your blood pressure itself. You still need an actual blood pressure monitor to take readings, and a doctor to interpret them properly.Related Calculators
For a single reading benchmarked against age-based norms, try the Blood Pressure by Age Calculator. To look at other cardiovascular risk factors, the Diabetes Risk Calculator and BMI Calculator cover two more commonly tracked areas of heart health.