Short answer
Normal blood pressure is under 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated is 120–129 and under 80, stage 1 is 130–139 or 80–89, stage 2 is 140 or higher or 90 or higher, and above 180 and/or 120 is severe. The higher band of the two numbers sets the category.
1. The chart
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | and | Less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and | Less than 80 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130–139 | or | 80–89 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Severe hypertension | Higher than 180 | and/or | Higher than 120 |
If your systolic and diastolic fall in different bands, the higher band is your category.
2. Examples
| Reading | Category | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 118/76 | Normal | Both in the lowest band |
| 124/76 | Elevated | Systolic 120–129, diastolic under 80 |
| 124/82 | Stage 1 | Diastolic 80–89 |
| 132/92 | Stage 2 | Diastolic 90 or higher |
| 185/110 | Severe | Systolic higher than 180 |
3. Systolic and diastolic
Systolic, the top number, is the pressure when your heart beats. Diastolic, the bottom number, is the pressure between beats. Both count.
4. One reading is not a diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the average of two or more readings taken on two or more occasions. Enter up to three readings in the Blood Pressure Category Calculator and it averages them for you. Related: stage 1 vs stage 2 and how to measure at home.
5. Frequently asked questions
What is a normal blood pressure?expand_more
Under 120 systolic and under 80 diastolic.
Is 130/80 high?expand_more
It is stage 1 hypertension, because a systolic of 130–139 or a diastolic of 80–89 falls in that band.
Which number decides the category?expand_more
Whichever falls in the higher band.
Do the categories change with age?expand_more
No. They apply to adults of any age.