Peak flow diary
Peer reviewed by Prof Cathy Jackson, MRCGPAuthored by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPOriginally published 5 Jan 2018
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
This leaflet is designed to be printed out for people to record their peak flow reading.
Get help managing your asthma
Get expert healthcare advice from the comfort of home. Complete a quick online consultation, available 24/7, with your request reviewed by a UK-registered clinician. Next day delivery available on eligible treatments.
Peak flow diary for printing off
To take a peak flow reading
Put the marker to zero.
Take a deep breath.
Seal your lips around the mouthpiece.
Blow as hard and as fast as you can into the device.
Note the reading.
Repeat three times.
The 'best of the three' is the reading to record on the chart.
What are normal and abnormal peak flow readings?
Normal peak flow readings vary, depending on your age, size, and sex. The range of normal peak flow readings is published on a chart, and doctors and nurses refer to the chart when they check your peak flow reading. In healthy people, peak flow readings vary slightly from time to time. The reading is often slightly higher in the evening compared with the morning.
Peak flow normal values
Below is an example of a two-week diary of peak flow readings done by a child who has quite bad asthma.
Peak flow graph
Get help managing your asthma
Get expert healthcare advice from the comfort of home. Complete a quick online consultation, available 24/7, with your request reviewed by a UK-registered clinician. Next day delivery available on eligible treatments.
Patient picks for Asthma
Chest and lungs
What happens during an asthma attack?
Asthma is a common condition that affects the smaller airways (bronchioles). From time to time the airways narrow in people who have asthma. The typical symptoms are wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The extent of the narrowing, and how long each episode lasts, can vary greatly.
by Dr Laurence Knott
Chest and lungs
How to cope with asthma in the summer
Asthma in the summer can be miserable, but armed with the correct medicine and a common-sense action plan, you can ease symptoms triggered by pollen and air pollution. Our experts offer advice on how you can manage your summer asthma.
by Lynn Stephen
About the authorView full bio
Authored by
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
General Practitioner, Medical Author
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.
About the reviewerView full bio
Prof Cathy Jackson, MRCGP
Medical Author
BSc (Hons) Physiology, MB, ChB, MRCGP, MD
Professor Cathy Jackson graduated from Manchester Medical School having gained a first-class honours degree in physiology along the way.
Article history
Article also available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, and Swedish.
5 Jan 2018 | Originally published
Authored by:
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPPeer reviewed by
Prof Cathy Jackson, MRCGP
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Feeling unwell?
Assess your symptoms online for free
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.