Norms
VO2max chart by age and gender
VO2max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise, in millilitres per kilogram per minute. These ranges follow widely used fitness norms (Cooper Institute bands, also used by many running watches). General information, not medical advice.
VO2max chart for men by age
| Age | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | < 41.7 | 41.7–45.4 | 45.4–51.1 | 51.1–55.4 | > 55.4 |
| 30–39 | < 40.5 | 40.5–44 | 44–48.3 | 48.3–54 | > 54 |
| 40–49 | < 38.5 | 38.5–42.4 | 42.4–46.4 | 46.4–52.5 | > 52.5 |
| 50–59 | < 35.6 | 35.6–39.2 | 39.2–43.4 | 43.4–48.9 | > 48.9 |
| 60–69 | < 32.3 | 32.3–35.5 | 35.5–39.5 | 39.5–45.7 | > 45.7 |
| 70+ | < 29.4 | 29.4–32.3 | 32.3–36.7 | 36.7–42.1 | > 42.1 |
VO2max chart for women by age
| Age | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | < 36.1 | 36.1–39.5 | 39.5–43.9 | 43.9–49.6 | > 49.6 |
| 30–39 | < 34.4 | 34.4–37.8 | 37.8–42.4 | 42.4–47.4 | > 47.4 |
| 40–49 | < 33 | 33–36.3 | 36.3–39.7 | 39.7–45.3 | > 45.3 |
| 50–59 | < 30.1 | 30.1–33 | 33–36.7 | 36.7–41.1 | > 41.1 |
| 60–69 | < 27.5 | 27.5–30 | 30–33 | 33–37.8 | > 37.8 |
| 70+ | < 25.9 | 25.9–28.1 | 28.1–30.9 | 30.9–36.7 | > 36.7 |
By age group: men 20s · women 20s · men 30s · women 30s · men 40s · women 40s · men 50s · women 50s · men 60s · women 60s · men 70s · women 70s · look up a score
Frequently asked questions
What is a good VO2max for men?
It depends on age. On this chart, a 30–39-year-old man is 'good' from about 44 ml/kg/min and 'excellent' from about 48; above about 54 is 'superior'.
What is a good VO2max for women?
For women aged 30–39, 'good' starts at about 38 ml/kg/min and 'excellent' at about 42; above about 47 is 'superior'.
What VO2max is considered elite?
Elite endurance athletes typically test at 70–85+ ml/kg/min (men) and 60–75+ (women), far above the 'superior' band for their age.
What VO2max should I aim for?
Moving up one band for your age brings real health benefits; the biggest gain comes from leaving the 'poor' band. Track your trend rather than chasing one number.
Find your number with the VO2max calculator, your fitness age, or your race times and paces. Watch users: see how accurate watch estimates are.
How the norms are built and how to read them: VO2max norms explained. Estimate yours with the VO2max calculator.