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Using a Peak Flow Meter: Step-by-Step

  • One hand holding peak flow meter and other hand sliding pointer down to bottom.

    1. Set the pointer to 0.

  • Person standing straight and person sitting straight in chair.

    2. Sit or stand up straight.

  • Person breathing out through mouth.

    3. Breathe out completely.

  • Person breathing in through mouth.

    4. Breathe in once.

  • Person holding peak flow meter to mouth, with lips closed around mouthpiece.

    5. Close your lips tightly on the mouthpiece.

  • Person holding peak flow meter to mouth, with lips closed around mouthpiece, and breathing out.

    6. Blow out hard and fast.

  • Hand holding peak flow meter, with arrow on pointer.

    7. Check the number on the meter.

  • Piece of paper with hand writing down results.

    8. Write down the number.

  • Person holding peak flow meter to mouth, with lips closed around mouthpiece, and breathing out, with arrows showing process repeating.

    9. Repeat all the steps 2 more times.

  • Piece of paper with results written in and a circle around one of the results.

    10. The highest number is your peak flow.

Online Medical Reviewer: Deborah Pedersen MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2025
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