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Normal Vital Signs — Toddler (1–3 years)

Toddlers are busy people, and their vital signs show it: rates bounce up quickly with activity, tears or excitement and settle within minutes of calming down. For that reason, the most reliable readings at this age come after a cuddle and a quiet few minutes — ideally while they are sitting with a book or a favourite toy.

Vital signNormal range — toddler (1–3 years)
Heart rate (awake, resting)90–150 beats/min
Breathing rate24–40 breaths/min
Blood pressure — systolic90–110 mmHg
Blood pressure — diastolic55–70 mmHg
Oxygen saturation (SpO2, room air)95% or higher
Body temperature97.5–99.5 °F (36.4–37.5 °C)

◆ Good to know

Count breathing for a full minute — toddlers breathe unevenly, and recent running around, crying or excitement raises heart and breathing rates for several minutes.

Measuring at this age

  • Count breathing while your toddler is unaware — watching a screen or being read to — because noticing makes them change it.
  • Take the reading after a few quiet minutes; a tantrum can keep heart rate up for several minutes afterwards.
  • For blood pressure, the cuff must fit the arm: too small reads high, too big reads low.

Fever at this age

A temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher is a fever. Thresholds, measuring methods and warning signs by age are covered in the fever guide — and any fever in a baby under 3 months old needs medical care the same day.

The full eight-band chart is on the vital signs by age hub, and as a printable wall chart.

← Younger: Infant (1–12 months)All ages chartOlder: Preschool (3–6 years) →
Please note: This page is patient education, not medical advice. Normal ranges are guides for a person who is awake, resting and measured correctly — a single reading outside the range is not a diagnosis. Abnormal readings in someone who is unwell, breathing with difficulty, unusually drowsy or simply worrying you warrant medical care — seek it promptly rather than re-checking at home.