Pulse Pressure Calculator
Calculate pulse pressure (systolic minus diastolic) from a blood pressure reading, see if it is narrow, usual or wide, and get mean arterial pressure.
Pulse pressure is the gap between the top and bottom numbers of a blood pressure reading. It shows how much the pressure rises each time the heart pumps, which depends on how much blood the heart ejects and how stiff the large arteries are. A healthy adult at rest typically has a pulse pressure of about 40 mmHg.
How to use this tool
- Enter the systolic (top) number in mmHg.
- Enter the diastolic (bottom) number.
- Read the pulse pressure, its share of the systolic value and the mean arterial pressure.
Formula
PP = SBP − DBP
SBP and DBP use mmHg. This page calls a pulse pressure below 25% of systolic narrow, and above 100 mmHg wide, following the cited physiology reference. These descriptive thresholds do not define safe values. MAP is estimated as DBP + PP ÷ 3.
Example
For 150/80 mmHg, pulse pressure = 150 − 80 = 70 mmHg, or 46.7% of systolic pressure. It triggers neither descriptive flag used here. That does not make the original blood pressure normal: the systolic reading is high. Estimated MAP = 80 + 70 ÷ 3 = 103.3 mmHg.
Frequently asked questions
What causes a wide pulse pressure?
Age-related artery stiffening is one contributor, but pulse pressure also depends on stroke volume and other conditions. There is no single pulse-pressure threshold that diagnoses a cause. Persistent changes should be assessed with the original systolic and diastolic readings.
What does a narrow pulse pressure mean?
A narrow pulse pressure can have several causes, and the difference alone cannot identify one. Measurement error also matters. A reading accompanied by fainting, breathlessness or chest pain needs urgent medical assessment.
Does exercise change pulse pressure?
Yes. During exercise systolic pressure rises while diastolic changes little, so pulse pressure widens for a while. Measure after at least five minutes of seated rest to get a meaningful value.
Sources
This tool gives an estimate for general information only. It is not financial, tax, legal or medical advice — check with a qualified professional before you rely on the result.
Last updated: 2026-10-30