Vital Signs — Normal Ranges

Adult Vital Signs

Parameter Normal Range Critical Values
Temperature (oral) 97.8–99.1°F (36.5–37.3°C) <95°F or >104°F
Temperature (rectal) 98.6–100.4°F (37.0–38.0°C) <95°F or >104°F
Temperature (axillary) 96.8–98.6°F (36.0–37.0°C) <95°F or >104°F
Temperature (tympanic) 98.6–100.4°F (37.0–38.0°C) <95°F or >104°F
Heart Rate 60–100 bpm <50 or >120 bpm
Respiratory Rate 12–20 breaths/min <10 or >24 breaths/min
Blood Pressure <120/80 mmHg Systolic <90 or >180; Diastolic >120
SpO2 95–100% <90%
Pain Scale 0–10 (0 = no pain) 7–10 = severe pain

Pediatric Vital Signs

Age Heart Rate (bpm) Respiratory Rate Systolic BP (mmHg)
Newborn (0–1 mo) 100–160 30–60 60–90
Infant (1–12 mo) 100–150 25–50 70–100
Toddler (1–3 yr) 90–140 20–40 80–110
Preschool (3–5 yr) 80–120 20–30 80–110
School-age (6–12 yr) 70–110 18–25 85–120
Adolescent (13+ yr) 60–100 12–20 95–120

Neonatal Vital Signs

APGAR Score — Assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

Sign 0 1 2
Appearance (skin color) Blue, pale Body pink, extremities blue Completely pink
Pulse (heart rate) Absent <100 bpm >100 bpm
Grimace (reflex irritability) No response Grimace Cough, sneeze, cry
Activity (muscle tone) Limp Some flexion Active motion
Respiration Absent Slow, irregular Good, crying

Total score 7–10: good; 4–6: moderate distress; 0–3: severe distress.

MAP Calculator

Mean Arterial Pressure = Diastolic + (Systolic − Diastolic) ÷ 3. Normal MAP: 70–100 mmHg.