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Normal Oxygen Saturation Range for People

Oxygen saturation is a noninvasive way to measure how much oxygen is moving through the bloodstream. This test is performed by a health care professional or by a person at home.

  1. Normal Level

    • According to the ninth edition of Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, the normal level of oxygen saturation is equal to or greater than 95 percent.

    Uses

    • The oxygen saturation test is performed for many reasons, including to assess a person's response to medications and to ensure a person's current oxygen level is adequate. This test is also performed during stress testing and sleep studies.

    The Test

    • Testing for an oxygen saturation level involves placing a pulse oximeter probe on a person's ear or fingertip and generally takes few seconds.

    Considerations

    • People with certain lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may have a lower "normal" oxygen saturation level. The oxygen saturation goal, according to the American Thoracic Society, is to maintain an oxygen saturation level greater than 90 percent.

    Warning

    • According to the ninth edition of Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, a possible critical oxygen saturation level is equal to or less than 75 percent.

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