Health & Fitness
Target Heart Rate Calculator
Find a target heart rate for a chosen intensity using the Karvonen method with resting heart rate.
Formula
Karvonen target equals resting heart rate plus intensity multiplied by heart-rate reserve (maximum minus resting).
How it works
Maximum minus resting gives the reserve, the intensity percentage scales that reserve, and resting is added back. This personalises the target more than a plain percentage of maximum.
FAQs
Why include resting heart rate?
Fitter people have lower resting rates, so the same percentage feels different.
What intensity for fat-burning?
Moderate intensity around 60–70% is commonly used, but total work matters more.
What if my resting rate is high?
Resting rate varies with sleep, stress and illness, so re-check it on a calm morning.
General information only, not medical advice.