What this calculator does
Predicted vital capacity works out expected lung vital capacity for a healthy adult, from height, age and sex. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaMen: VC = height(cm) × (27.63 − 0.112 × age). Women: VC = height(cm) × (21.78 − 0.101 × age)
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Height (cm) | A number, measured in cm. Starts at 175. |
| Age (years) | A number, measured in years. Starts at 30. |
| Sex | Choose from Male, Female. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with height
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while height varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.
How the answer changes with height
| Height (cm) | Predicted vital capacity | In litres | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87.5 | 2,124 mL | 2.12 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |
| 131 | 3,179 mL | 3.18 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |
| 175 | 4,247 mL | 4.25 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |
| 263 | 6,383 mL | 6.38 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |
| 350 | 8,495 mL | 8.49 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |
| 525 | 12,742 mL | 12.74 L | Baldwin, Cournand & Richards (1948), Medicine; a population average for healthy non-smoking adults. |