Army APFT Standards (Physical Fitness Test)

The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) served as the U.S. Army’s standard fitness assessment for decades, measuring soldiers’ physical readiness through three key events: push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. While the APFT has been officially replaced by the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) as of 2020, understanding these standards remains valuable for historical context, preparation for certain training programs, and comparison purposes.

Important Note: The APFT is no longer the Army’s official fitness test. The current standard is the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), implemented Army-wide in 2020. However, some training environments may still reference APFT standards for specific purposes.

How the APFT Worked

The APFT was straightforward and efficient, consisting of three events completed in sequence:

Push-ups: Maximum repetitions in 2 minutes
Sit-ups: Maximum repetitions in 2 minutes
Two-Mile Run: Timed run for best completion time

Scoring System

Each event was scored from 0-100 points
Minimum passing score: 60 points per event (180 total)
Basic Combat Training requirement: 50 points per event (150 total)
Maximum possible score: 300 points (100 points per event)

Age Groups

The APFT used five age categories with progressively adjusted standards:

17-20 years
21-26 years
27-31 years
32-36 years
37-41 years

Complete APFT Push-Up Standards

Male Push-Up Standards

Score	Age Group
	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41
100	71	75	77	75	73
90	64	68	70	68	66
80	57	61	63	61	59
70	50	54	56	54	52
60	42	46	49	46	45
50	35	39	42	39	38

Female Push-Up Standards

Score	Age Group
	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41
100	42	46	50	45	40
90	37	41	45	40	35
80	32	36	40	35	30
70	27	31	35	30	25
60	19	23	27	22	17
50	13	17	21	16	11

Complete APFT Sit-Up Standards

Note: Sit-up standards were the same for both males and females

Score	Age Group
	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41
100	78	80	82	76	76
90	70	72	74	68	68
80	62	64	66	60	60
70	54	56	58	52	52
60	53	55	57	51	50
50	45	47	49	43	42

Complete APFT Two-Mile Run Standards

Male Two-Mile Run Standards (Minutes:Seconds)

Score	Age Group
	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41
100	13:00	13:00	13:18	13:36	14:06
90	14:12	14:18	14:42	15:00	15:18
80	15:24	15:30	16:00	16:18	16:30
70	16:36	16:42	17:18	17:36	17:42
60	17:54	18:00	18:42	19:00	19:00
50	19:42	20:00	20:30	20:48	21:00

Female Two-Mile Run Standards (Minutes:Seconds)

Score	Age Group
	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41
100	15:36	15:36	15:48	16:00	17:00
90	17:30	17:36	17:48	18:00	18:06
80	19:06	19:12	19:18	19:24	19:30
70	20:36	20:42	20:48	20:54	21:00
60	22:06	22:12	22:18	22:24	22:30
50	23:48	23:54	24:00	24:06	24:12

Key APFT Requirements

Minimum Standards for Different Purposes

Basic Combat Training (BCT):

50 points minimum per event
150 points total minimum

Regular Army Service:

60 points minimum per event
180 points total minimum

Promotion/Career Advancement:

Often required 70+ points per event
270+ total points preferred for competitive positions

How to Use These Standards

For Self-Assessment

Find your age group in the appropriate table
Locate your current performance for each event
Identify your score and areas needing improvement
Set realistic goals for the next fitness level

Example Assessment

25-year-old male:

Push-ups: 52 reps = 75 points
Sit-ups: 65 reps = 80 points
2-mile run: 16:30 = 70 points
Total: 225 points (passing, but room for improvement)

Transition to the ACFT

Why the Change?

The Army replaced the APFT with the ACFT to:

Better measure combat-related fitness
Include more functional movements
Provide gender-neutral standards
Address modern warfare physical demands

Current Reality

ACFT is now the official Army fitness test
APFT standards may still appear in legacy training materials
Some civilian fitness programs still reference APFT benchmarks
Historical comparison tool for fitness progression

Training Tips Based on APFT Standards

Push-Up Improvement

Form matters: Proper technique prevents injuries and maximizes reps
Progressive training: Start with modified push-ups if needed
Consistency: Daily practice yields better results than sporadic intense sessions

Sit-Up Performance

Core strength: Focus on overall abdominal development
Pace strategy: Find sustainable rhythm for 2-minute duration
Form consistency: Maintain proper technique throughout

Two-Mile Run Success

Base building: Develop aerobic capacity with longer, slower runs
Speed work: Include interval training for pace improvement
Consistency: Regular running schedule more important than occasional hard efforts

Practical Applications Today

For Current Soldiers

Understand fitness history and progression
Compare ACFT performance to legacy standards
Appreciate improvements in Army fitness testing

For Veterans

Benchmark current fitness against military standards
Maintain connection to Army fitness culture
Guide civilian fitness goals

For Fitness Enthusiasts

Use as challenging fitness benchmarks
Appreciate military-standard physical preparation
Set concrete, measurable fitness goals

The Bottom Line

While the APFT is no longer the Army’s official fitness test, these standards represent decades of military fitness expertise and remain valuable benchmarks for physical readiness. The test’s simplicity—push-ups, sit-ups, and running—made it accessible and measurable, qualities that continue to make it relevant for personal fitness assessment.

Current soldiers should focus on ACFT preparation, but understanding where the Army’s fitness standards came from provides valuable context for appreciating how far military fitness testing has evolved.

Army APFT Standards