Apple Health metrics › Resting Heart Rate

Resting Heart Rate on Apple Watch and iPhone

Your heart rate when you are calm and still, a simple read on cardiovascular fitness and recovery.

What it is

Resting heart rate (RHR) is how many times your heart beats per minute while you are at rest. A lower number usually means the heart pumps more blood per beat, which is common in people who exercise regularly.

How Apple measures it

Apple Watch estimates it from low-motion heart rate readings through the day and stores one value per day in Apple Health.

What's a normal range?

Most adults sit between 60 and 100 bpm. Well-trained athletes are often 40 to 60. Your own baseline and its trend matter more than a single day.

What moves it

• Poor sleep or late nights
• Alcohol, even a drink or two
• Illness, fever or dehydration
• Stress and caffeine
• Aerobic training over weeks (lowers it)

See Resting Heart Rate next to your other vitals

Apple Health keeps this number several taps deep. OnlyVitals puts the metrics you pick, including Resting Heart Rate, on a single dashboard so you can read them at a glance. Everything stays on your device.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good resting heart rate on Apple Watch?

For most adults 60 to 100 bpm is typical, and fit people often run lower. Watch your own trend: a sustained rise of several bpm can point to stress, illness or poor recovery.

Why is my resting heart rate higher than usual?

Common causes are short sleep, alcohol, illness, dehydration, heat and stress. If it stays high for days with no clear cause, check with a clinician.

Related metrics

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
• VO2 Max (Cardio Fitness)
• Blood Oxygen (SpO2)
• Respiratory Rate
• Steps
• Sleep Duration

This page is general information, not medical advice. Ranges vary by age, sex, fitness and device. Talk to a clinician about anything that worries you.