Blood pressure explained

Enter your two blood pressure numbers to see what they mean, using the same lines your GP uses.

Your details

128/82 mmHg, taken by a nurse, GP or pharmacist

128/82

A little above ideal

More than one reading?add up to 3 more pairs below for an average
NHS ideal90/60 to 120/80
High line for this kind of reading140/90 in a clinic
Very high (act today)180/120 or more
NICE treatment target if you are treated, under 80below 140/90

Between 120/80 and the high line is not high blood pressure, but it is a nudge: less salt, more movement and less alcohol all help it drift down.

If a result worries you, ask your GP surgery or practice nurse to talk it through. Call 111 if you feel unwell and are not sure what to do.

Several readings

Averaging home readings

One reading is a snapshot. Add up to three more pairs and the calculator averages them, which is how NICE judges home monitoring against its 135/85 line, and flags any single reading of 180/120 or more. For a proper home average NICE suggests two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, for 4 to 7 days, ignoring the first day.

The working

128/82 taken at the GP surgery

The top number, 128, is just over the NHS ideal of 120, and the bottom number, 82, is just over 80, so the reading sits a little above ideal. It is well under the clinic high line of 140/90. Taken at home, the high line drops to 135/85, because readings at home run about 5 lower than in a clinic.

The lines

From low to very high

Reading	In a clinic	At home
Low	under 90/60	under 90/60
Ideal	90/60 to 120/80	90/60 to 120/80
High	140/90 or more	135/85 or more
Higher (stage 2)	160/100 or more	150/95 or more
Very high, act today	180/120 or more	180/120 or more

Whichever number is in the higher band decides the band. 118/92, for example, counts as high because of the 92.

Getting a fair reading

Before you press start

Sit in an upright chair, back supported, feet flat, for 5 minutes
Rest your arm on a table at heart height, sleeve off
No talking, and no coffee or exercise in the half hour before
Take a second reading a minute or two later and use that

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

This explains one reading. It is not a check up.

Diagnose anythingHigh blood pressure is only diagnosed from a week of home readings or a 24 hour monitor.
Read your historyMedicines, pregnancy and long term conditions change what a reading means.
Spot an irregular pulseAutomatic monitors can be wrong if your heartbeat is irregular.

Questions

Common questions

What is a normal blood pressure?

The NHS calls 90/60 to 120/80 ideal. High is 140/90 or more when a professional takes it, or 135/85 or more at home.

Which number matters more?

Both. If either is in a higher band, the reading counts in that band. In older adults the top number tends to rise more.

Is 180/120 an emergency?

Measure again after 5 quiet minutes. If it is still that high, contact your GP surgery today or call 111. Call 999 if you also have chest pain, breathlessness, confusion, weakness or changes in your sight.

Why is my reading higher at the doctor?

Many people tense up in a clinic, which is called the white coat effect. That is one reason NICE asks for home or 24 hour readings before diagnosing anything.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Talk your results through

If a result worries you, book a chat with your GP or practice nurse, or ask a pharmacist. Call NHS 111 if you feel unwell and are not sure what to do, and 999 in an emergency.