Respiratory Rate
Respiratory Rate is the number of breathing cycles (inhalation plus exhalation) per minute. In clinical contexts, normal adult respiratory rate at rest ranges from 12–20 breaths per minute. The metric reflects the rate at which the respiratory system exchanges gases to maintain oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal. Respiratory rate is one of the vital signs assessed in medical settings.
Typical Adult Ranges
breaths per minuteBased on population studies. Individual needs vary by age and health status.
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Key Takeaways
Represents breathing cycles per minute during sleep.
Reflects respiratory system workload to maintain gas exchange.
Elevated values may indicate illness, fever, or respiratory factors.
Personal baseline more relevant than population ranges.
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How It's Measured
Oura derives respiratory rate from the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal.
Common Influences
Illness and fever: Infection and elevated body temperature increase metabolic rate and respiratory rate.
Deep Dive
Respiratory Rate represents the pace of ventilation—how frequently the lungs cycle air. It reflects the body's effort to maintain adequate gas exchange based on metabolic demand, blood pH, and oxygen/carbon dioxide levels.
A useful framing is that respiratory rate indicates how hard the respiratory system works to maintain homeostasis. At rest during sleep, metabolic demand is minimal, so breathing rate is typically low and stable. Elevations suggest increased demand, whether from physiological factors (fever, illness, respiratory conditions) or environmental factors (altitude).
Breathing is controlled by the brainstem respiratory centers, which respond to carbon dioxide levels, blood pH, and (to a lesser extent) oxygen levels. Chemoreceptors detect these variables and adjust respiratory rate and depth to maintain homeostasis.
During sleep, respiratory rate decreases from waking values as metabolic rate drops. The pattern is normally stable during non-REM sleep; during REM sleep, breathing may become more variable. Respiratory rate is influenced by body temperature, altitude, respiratory health, and conditions affecting metabolic rate.
Elevated respiratory rate can indicate increased metabolic demand (fever, infection), respiratory compromise (congestion, airway issues), or other factors requiring greater ventilatory effort.