How to Check Your Pulse

Medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Last Updated: December 19, 2023 Approved

Your pulse tells how fast your heart is beating. It also can signal how well your heart is working and even your health and fitness level.^{[1]
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American Heart Association
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Go to source} It may sound difficult, but checking your pulse is easy and doesn’t require any special equipment. You can check your pulse by hand or by using an electronic pulse meter or heart rate monitor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Your Pulse by Hand

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Find a timepiece to measure while you count your heartbeats. Gather a watch or find a nearby clock. You’ll need to watch the time as you count your heartbeats. Have a digital or analog watch that has a second hand handy or find a nearby clock so that you can see the time to get the correct pulse rate.^{[2]
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- You can also use a stopwatch or the timer on your phone.^{[3]
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  Harvard Medical School
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Panic attacks can cause increases or decreases in your pulse. "I recently weaned off 20 years of medication for chronic anxiety. Learning how and when to check my pulse and what rate is normal was very helpful." - Michael D.

Learning to make safe lifestyle changes is essential. "I am post triple bypass and in terrible shape. In order to get to a healthy state of being, I am about to start an exercise program. I wanted to learn how to take my pulse so I can be safe while I exercise, and this article taught me how." - Kate B.

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Decide where you want to take your pulse. Choose to check your pulse either on your neck or your wrist. Do whichever feels most comfortable for you or where you can easily find your pulse.^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} You can also take your pulse on the following spots, though it may be more difficult to detect your heartbeat on them:
- Temple
- Groin
- Behind the knee
- Top of the foot
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Place your fingers in the proper position to feel your pulse. Press firmly but not so hard that you can no longer feel the pulse. Put your index and third finger on either side of your neck to the side of your windpipe to find the carotid artery. If you’re measuring on your wrist, set two fingers between the bone and tendon over your radial artery.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Be careful not to press to hard over the carotid artery, as this can cause you to become lightheaded.^{[6]
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- Find your radial artery by drawing a line with your finger from below your thumb to your wrist. Then feel for the spot between the wrist bone and tendon for a slight pumping motion.
- Place the flat part of your finger on your wrist or neck to get the most accurate reading. Avoid using your fingertips or your thumb.
Decide if you are going to take your pulse for 10, 15, 30, or 60 seconds. Take out your timepiece so you can do this while you’re counting how many times your heartbeats.^{[7]
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Count your heartbeats. When the clock reaches zero, start counting how many times you feel a pulse or beat on your neck or wrist. Keep counting until your timepiece reaches the number of seconds you chose to tally your heartbeats.^{[8]
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- Let yourself rest for five minutes before taking your pulse to get the most accurate resting heart rate reading. You can also take your pulse while you’re exercising to measure how hard you are exercising.
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Calculate your pulse. Note or remember how many heartbeats you counted. Your pulse rate is measured in beats per minute.^{[9]
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Mayo Clinic
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- For example, if you counted 41 for 30 seconds, double it to get 82 beats per minute. If you counted for 10 seconds, multiply the beats counted by 6, and if you counted for 15 seconds, multiply by 4.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Monitor to Measure Your Pulse

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Get an electronic pulse meter. Use an electronic pulse meter if you have trouble measuring your pulse by hand, you want to check during exercise without stopping, or if you want a very accurate reading. Purchase or rent one at a local medical supply store or another large retailer. Use a smart watch or download a smartphone app to measure your pulse if you have them. Some features to look for include:^{[10]
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- Having a cuff or strap that fits you
- Having a display that is easy to read
- Fitting your needs and budget
- Note that using an app for pulse measurements is not always accurate.
Read your product instructions. Then place the monitor on the proper spot to check your pulse. Most monitors are attached at the chest, finger or wrist.^{[11]
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American Lung Association
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When you’re ready to check your pulse, activate your monitor. Make sure the numbers read “OO” to start so that you get an accurate reading.^{[12]
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FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors

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Read your results. Your monitor will automatically stop and display the number when it’s doing with your reading. Check the display and note what you pulse rate is for this specific reading.^{[13]
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- Save any data or measurements from your reading to track your pulse rate over time.

Expert Q&A

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Question

If I suspect I am experiencing A-fib, what should my pulse exhibit?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Atrial fibrillation (or flutter) is a type of arrythmia (irregular heart beat) that usually exhibits as a fast heart rate of over 100 bpm. The pulse can be irregular as well. Sometimes, with Afib, the heart beat feels like it is racing, fluttering, or even too slow. You may or may not have symptoms, which include heart palpitations, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may come and go. If you suspect you have an arrythmia, and especially if you are experiencing any symptoms, call your doctor. You may require medical treatment.

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Question

Should my pulse be the same on my wrist as it is on my neck?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

In a healthy person with no health issues, the carotid (neck) and radial (wrist) pulse rates will be the same. If the person is injured or ill with poor circulation or very low blood pressure, the radial pulse may be so faint it cannot be felt.

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Question

Is pulse rate directly related to blood pressure?

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Expert Answer

They aren't directly related. When your heart rate rises, your blood pressure won't necessarily rise at the same rate. When your heart beats faster, healthy blood vessels dilate (expand) so that more blood can flow through easily.

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Tips

The normal resting pulse rate for a healthy individual ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Certain factors such as fitness level, emotions, body size, and medications can influence your pulse.^{[14]
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Warnings

If your heart rate is consistently less than 60 beats per minute and you're not a trained athlete, call your doctor, especially if you're experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath.

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Use only gentle pressure when checking your pulse on your neck or wrist. Pressing too hard, especially on the neck, can cause you to become lightheaded and fall.^{[15]
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Seek medical attention if your resting pulse rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute.^{[16]
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A normal pulse is steady and regular. If you notice frequent skipped or extra beats, call your doctor, as this could be a sign of a heart problem.^{[17]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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