Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) Calculator
By Santaji GadepatilinUpdated October 27, 2026
Mean arterial pressure is the average pressure in the arteries during one heartbeat. It shows how well blood is reaching the organs.
How to use the mean arterial pressure calculator
Enter your systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) blood pressure in mmHg. You get the pulse pressure and the mean arterial pressure.
Mean arterial pressure formulas
Pulse pressure = SBP − DBP
MAP ≈ DBP + (SBP − DBP) ÷ 3
Worked example
Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg:
- Pulse pressure = 40 mmHg
- MAP = 80 + 40 ÷ 3 = 93.3 mmHg
Blood pressure categories (adults)
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | below 120 | and | below 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and | below 80 |
| High — stage 1 | 130–139 | or | 80–89 |
| High — stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
Source: American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology (2017). Other countries use slightly different thresholds.
Seek urgent medical care for a reading above 180/120 mmHg with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or vision changes. This calculator is for information only.
MAP for common readings
| Blood pressure (mmHg) | MAP | Pulse pressure |
|---|---|---|
| 90/60 | 70 | 30 |
| 110/70 | 83 | 40 |
| 120/80 | 93 | 40 |
| 130/85 | 100 | 45 |
| 140/90 | 107 | 50 |
| 160/100 | 120 | 60 |
| 180/110 | 133 | 70 |
Why doctors watch MAP
MAP reflects the average pressure pushing blood into organs during a whole heartbeat. If it falls too low, the brain, kidneys and heart may not get enough blood:
- Below about 60–65 mmHg: organs may be under-perfused. In intensive care, a target of 65 mmHg is common for people with septic shock.
- 70–100 mmHg: typical range for healthy adults.
- Persistently high: reflects high blood pressure, which strains the heart and arteries over time.
Pulse pressure
Pulse pressure is the difference between the top and bottom numbers. In older adults, a wide pulse pressure (often above 60 mmHg) can be a sign of stiff arteries.
Measuring blood pressure at home
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes, back supported, feet flat.
- Rest your arm at heart level. Use the correct cuff size.
- Take 2–3 readings a minute apart and average them.
- Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
What is mean arterial pressure?
The average pressure in your arteries during one heartbeat. It reflects how well blood is reaching your organs.
What is a normal MAP?
Roughly 70–100 mmHg in healthy adults. Clinicians generally aim for at least 65 mmHg in hospital settings.
Why isn't MAP the simple average of the two numbers?
The heart spends about two-thirds of each beat relaxing (diastole), so the diastolic pressure counts more.
Is the MAP formula exact?
It is an estimate. At rest the heart spends about two-thirds of each beat in diastole, which is why diastolic pressure counts twice. At fast heart rates the estimate is less accurate.
What MAP is too low?
A MAP below about 60–65 mmHg may not supply enough blood to the organs. Seek medical help if low readings come with dizziness or fainting.