What is a good resting heart rate?

For most adults 60–100 bpm is considered normal; lower values are common in fit people. Very low rates with symptoms such as dizziness need medical advice.

Why is my resting heart rate higher today?

Common reasons include poor sleep, alcohol, illness, stress or a hard workout the day before.

Wearables · Health metrics

Resting heart rate

Resting heart rate is one of the simplest and most useful wearable metrics. What a normal range is, what changes can mean, and how devices measure it.

Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-29

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What it is

Resting heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute while you are at rest. MedlinePlus gives 60 to 100 beats per minute as the normal range for adults at rest, and notes that well-trained athletes may have resting rates of 40 to 60.

How wearables measure it

Most wrist and ring devices use optical sensors (photoplethysmography) that detect changes in blood volume under the skin. Many calculate resting heart rate during sleep or long periods of stillness, so values differ between devices.

What changes can mean

A lower resting heart rate over months often reflects improving fitness. A temporary rise can follow illness, poor sleep, alcohol, stress, heat or hard training. Your personal trend is more useful than comparison with others.

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

Fitness
Sleep
Alcohol
Illness
Stress
Medicines such as beta-blockers
Heat and hydration

Questions people commonly ask

What is a good resting heart rate?: For most adults 60–100 bpm is considered normal; lower values are common in fit people. Very low rates with symptoms such as dizziness need medical advice.
Why is my resting heart rate higher today?: Common reasons include poor sleep, alcohol, illness, stress or a hard workout the day before.

Related tests

Lab testElectrocardiogram (ECG)

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Sources

Pulse. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Vital signs. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.