Check your adult blood pressure category from a cuff reading, add height and weight for BMI, or screen a child’s BP-to-height ratio.

Height and weight cannot predict blood pressure; enter a measured cuff reading. Add height and weight for BMI.

Top number of the cuff reading.

Bottom number of the cuff reading.

Height and weight for BMI

Who this calculator is for (limitations)

This calculator uses blood-pressure-to-height ratio (BPHR) cutoffs from a published research method and is intended only as a quick screening aid for children/adolescents. It is not the standard diagnostic approach used in major pediatric guidance (which classifies BP using repeat measurements and age/sex/height percentiles, and different thresholds for adolescents). BPHR performance can vary by age and population; for study details, search PubMed for the Galescu et al. BPHR paper (2012).

Blood Pressure-to-Height Ratio (BPHR) Formula

The following formulas are used to calculate blood-pressure-to-height ratios. They require a measured blood pressure (they do not calculate blood pressure from height/weight).

SBPHR = SBP / H (cm); DBPHR = DBP / H (cm)

Variables:

  • SBPHR is the systolic blood-pressure-to-height ratio (mmHg/cm)
  • DBPHR is the diastolic blood-pressure-to-height ratio (mmHg/cm)
  • SBP is the systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
  • DBP is the diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
  • H is the height (cm)

What is a Blood Pressure-to-Height Ratio (BPHR)?

A blood pressure-to-height ratio (BPHR) is a screening index used mainly in children and adolescents. It divides a measured blood pressure value (systolic or diastolic) by height (in centimeters). Because children’s normal blood pressure varies with body size, BPHR can be used as a quick screen for possible elevated blood pressure. It does not replace proper pediatric blood pressure assessment (including repeat measurements and age/sex/height percentiles). Body weight can influence blood pressure risk, but weight is not part of the BPHR calculation.

How to Calculate Blood Pressure-to-Height Ratio (BPHR)

The following steps outline how to calculate the blood pressure-to-height ratios.

  1. Measure systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), typically in mmHg.
  2. Measure height in centimeters (cm).
  3. If needed, convert units so BP is in mmHg and height is in cm (the standard BPHR cutoffs assume these units).
  4. Calculate SBPHR = SBP / H and DBPHR = DBP / H.
  5. Compare the ratios to screening cutoffs (the calculator applies the Galescu et al. (2012) cutoffs shown in the result).
  6. If the screen is flagged, re-check the measurement using proper technique and follow up with a healthcare professional for diagnostic evaluation.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Systolic BP (SBP) = 105 mmHg

Diastolic BP (DBP) = 65 mmHg; Height (H) = 150 cm; Sex = Boy

Adult category reference reviewed: October 20, 2026. The 2025 AHA/ACC guideline update retained the adult categories: normal below 120/80 mmHg, elevated systolic 120–129 with diastolic below 80, stage 1 systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89, and stage 2 systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90. Use the higher category from either reading. The pediatric BP-to-height research screen is a separate method and does not replace an age-, sex- and height-based clinical assessment.