Respiratory rate
Number of breaths per minute, one of the basic vital signs
Also known as
Definition
Respiratory rate is the number of times you breathe in and out per minute. Together with pulse, blood pressure and body temperature, it is one of the vital signs doctors use to assess basic body functions. What is normal depends on factors such as age, sex, weight, exercise capacity and overall health. Many wearables now estimate respiratory rate during sleep.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | breaths per minute |
| Reference Range | At rest in adults, about 12–18 breaths per minute; another MedlinePlus page gives 12–20. Infants breathe much faster (30–60). Your doctor is the right person to interpret your own values. |
Agree on your personal target range with your doctor.
↓ What a low value means
Slowed breathing is called bradypnea, and breathing that stops is called apnea. Possible links include depressant substances such as alcohol, opioid painkillers, sedatives or anesthetics, as well as brain and nervous system disorders, head injuries and metabolic disorders. In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing repeatedly pauses briefly during sleep. If a person is drowsy, not alert or turns blue, it is an emergency.
↑ What a high value means
Fast, shallow breathing is called tachypnea; fast, deep breathing is called hyperventilation. Possible links include lung diseases such as asthma, COPD or pneumonia, a blood clot in the lung, heart failure, infections up to sepsis, acid buildup in the body such as in diabetic ketoacidosis, and anxiety and panic. Severe pain, bleeding and pregnancy can also speed up breathing. Fast, shallow breathing that is new or comes with shortness of breath, chest pain or bluish skin is considered an emergency.
When to test
Doctors count the respiratory rate at rest as part of the vital signs, for example during checkups or when you have breathing problems. If you track values from a wearable, readings taken under the same conditions, such as during sleep, are easier to compare. Wearable values are estimates and do not replace a medical examination.
Frequently asked questions
How many breaths per minute are normal? +
For healthy adults at rest, MedlinePlus gives 12 to 18 breaths per minute, and 12 to 20 on another page. Age, sex, weight, exercise capacity and health status all affect the value.
What is the difference between tachypnea and hyperventilation? +
Tachypnea means fast, shallow breathing, for example with lung disease. Hyperventilation means fast, deep breathing that lowers the carbon dioxide level in the blood and can occur with anxiety or panic, for example. In everyday use the two terms are often used interchangeably.
When is fast breathing an emergency? +
Fast, shallow breathing is generally considered an emergency unless anxiety is the only cause. This applies especially if it happens for the first time or comes with bluish skin or lips, chest pain, fever or labored breathing.
What do breathing pauses during sleep mean? +
Short, repeated breathing pauses during sleep can occur with obstructive sleep apnea. If you or others notice such pauses, discuss them with your doctor.
Respiratory rate
Sources
Last updated: October 05, 2026
This information is for orientation only and does not replace medical advice. Reference ranges can vary by laboratory, method and country.