Cardio
Estimating maximum heart rate
A population average, not an individual measurement. The Tanaka variant is flatter and gives a lower figure at younger ages.
The Formula
Max = 220 - Age (Tanaka: Max = 208 - 0.7 x Age)
A population average, not an individual measurement. The Tanaka variant is flatter and gives a lower figure at younger ages.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| age | Age in years | years | The only input this estimate uses. |
| 220 | Intercept of the classic estimate | beats per minute | An empirical constant, not a physiological one. |
| HRmax | Estimated maximum heart rate | beats per minute | Carries a spread of roughly ten beats either way. |
What Each Symbol Means
ageyears
Age in years
The only input this estimate uses.
220beats per minute
Intercept of the classic estimate
An empirical constant, not a physiological one.
HRmaxbeats per minute
Estimated maximum heart rate
Carries a spread of roughly ten beats either way.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate target heart rate page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Target Heart Rate, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.