What is the normal breathing rate?

Illnesses that affect a child's breathing are a normal part of growing up. Breathing that's too fast can be a tipoff. Here's what to watch for. read more

Normal Respiratory Frequency and Ideal Breathing Definition. Respiratory rate (also known as ventilation rate, respiration rate, breathing rate, pulmonary ventilation rate, breathing frequency, and respiratory frequency or Rf) = the number of breaths a person takes during one minute. read more

Normal range. For humans, the typical respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is 12–18 breaths per minute. The respiratory center sets the quiet respiratory rhythm at around two seconds for an inhalation and three seconds exhalation. This gives the lower of the average rate at 12 breaths per minute. read more

For children, the normal rate depends on their age: To measure how fast your child is breathing, count how many times his chest rises in 1 full minute. If he’s outside the normal range for his age, something may be wrong. read more