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Lung volumes and capacities
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<p>Lung volumes and lung capacities are measures of the <a href="/facts/Volume/aeAXCBUd">volume</a> of <a href="/facts/Air/hQ95Jznz">air</a> in the <a href="/facts/Lung/gTWXI6Fj">lungs</a> at different phases of the <a href="/facts/Breathing/92Wov2gk">respiratory cycle</a>. </p><p>The average total lung capacity of an adult human male is about 6 <a href="/facts/Litres/QKwbQz8I">litres</a> of air. </p><p>Tidal breathing is normal, resting breathing; the <a href="/facts/Tidal_volume/j1R0I4Xc">tidal volume</a> is the volume of air that is inhaled or exhaled in only a single such breath. </p><p>The average human <a href="/facts/Respiratory_rate/Ja9lsl6E">respiratory rate</a> is 30–60 breaths per minute at birth, decreasing to 12–20 breaths per minute in adults. </p>