Wearables · Health metrics
Respiratory rate
Respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute. Normal ranges, how wearables measure it during sleep, and why a sustained change can be worth noticing.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
What it is
Respiratory rate is the number of breaths taken per minute. MedlinePlus gives 12 to 16 breaths per minute as normal for an adult at rest (some sources give 12 to 20).
How wearables measure it
Many devices estimate respiratory rate from subtle changes in heart rate and pulse signals during sleep. Oura, for example, reports an average nightly respiratory rate.
What changes can mean
Night-to-night respiratory rate is usually stable. A sustained rise compared with your baseline can accompany illness, fever or heavy training.
Limitations
Wearable readings are estimates designed mainly for wellness and fitness. Accuracy varies by device, fit, skin, movement and model. They do not diagnose conditions; discuss concerning or persistent changes with a clinician.
Factors that can affect the result
- Illness and fever
- Altitude
- Training load
- Lung and heart conditions
Questions people commonly ask
- Is a slightly higher breathing rate at night a problem?
- Small changes are common. Persistent changes or breathlessness should be discussed with a clinician.
Related topics
Bring your health data together
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.
Sources
- Vital signs. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Respiratory Rate. Oura Member Care.