Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) Score Calculator

Understanding the Army Combat Fitness Test

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) represents the most significant overhaul of U.S. Army physical assessments in decades. Designed to better predict combat readiness than the retired Army Physical Fitness Test, the ACFT captures a wide spectrum of muscular strength, power, endurance, agility, and aerobic capacity. The test consists of six events—maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run—each scored from 0 to 100 points. Soldiers must not only attain a combined score of at least 360 but also maintain a minimum of 60 points in every event to pass. The shift in focus away from purely aerobic conditioning toward a more holistic view of fitness aims to reduce injuries and prepare Soldiers for modern operational demands. This calculator mimics official scoring tables through simple linear models so that you can explore how incremental improvements in each discipline influence your total score.

While the Army publishes detailed charts for every pound, meter, or second of performance, those spreadsheets can be unwieldy when plotting training goals. By accepting raw input for each event and quickly returning a projected score, the tool provides immediate insight into areas needing attention. For the deadlift and power throw, heavier weight or longer distance directly translates into higher points, reflecting the importance of raw strength and explosive power on the battlefield. For the push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and run events, speed and muscular endurance are crucial; slower times or fewer repetitions result in lower scores. The calculator’s linear interpolation mirrors the general trend of the official data yet keeps computation straightforward and transparent, enabling self-directed training without referencing multiple tables.

The maximum deadlift evaluates lower-body and posterior-chain strength through a three-repetition lift using a hex bar. Soldiers grip the handles, hinge at the hips, and lift the bar until fully erect. Practicing proper form is critical to avoid lower-back injury. The scoring range in this calculator assumes that a 140-pound three-repetition maximum equates to 60 points while 340 pounds earns 100 points. Values below 140 result in zero points; adding weight above 340 will not exceed the event’s 100-point ceiling. Strength development in the deadlift usually requires progressive overload: gradually increasing loads over time while allowing adequate recovery. Nutrition, sleep, and accessory exercises like Romanian deadlifts or back extensions contribute to higher totals, which in turn raise your composite ACFT score.

The standing power throw gauges upper-body explosiveness and coordination. In the event, a soldier hurls a 10-pound medicine ball backward overhead for maximum distance. Our model assigns 60 points to a 4.5-meter throw and 100 points to a 12.5-meter throw. Anything beyond that distance still caps at 100. Training typically involves plyometrics, kettlebell swings, and medicine-ball drills that strengthen the posterior chain and enhance rapid hip extension. Because the motion is technical, practicing the release angle and timing is just as important as raw power. Incremental gains of even a few centimeters can elevate a soldier from the marginal to the excellent range.

The hand-release push-up combines upper-body endurance with midline stability. Soldiers perform as many repetitions as possible in two minutes, lifting their hands from the ground between each push-up to ensure full range of motion. In this calculator, 10 reps correspond to 60 points and 60 reps to 100 points, capturing how added repetitions yield higher scores. Consistency in form—keeping a straight body line, engaging the core, and locking elbows—is essential to avoid disqualification. High-rep training, coupled with movements like bench presses and triceps dips, can help improve muscular stamina. By tracking repetitions over time, soldiers can quickly see whether their training regimen is sufficient to meet their target score.

The sprint-drag-carry, a compound event of five tasks performed consecutively on a 25-meter lane, measures anaerobic capacity and agility. Participants sprint, drag a sled, perform lateral shuffles, carry kettlebells, and sprint again. Because faster times indicate better performance, scoring is inversely related to seconds. Our model regards 3 minutes as the 60-point threshold and 1 minute 33 seconds as perfect. Training often incorporates high-intensity interval work, sled drags, farmer carries, and agility drills to reduce time. Proper footwear, efficient transitions between stages, and coordinated breathing can shave precious seconds. The calculator converts your input minutes and seconds into total seconds to compute an appropriate score, highlighting how even minor improvements in speed can substantially boost your points.

The plank event replaced the leg tuck to provide a more accessible measure of core endurance while still requiring substantial isometric strength. To score, soldiers maintain a straight-line plank on their forearms and toes for as long as possible. This calculator designates 1 minute 30 seconds as 60 points and 3 minutes 40 seconds as 100. Falling short of the minimum results in zero. Training methods include traditional planks, side planks, dynamic variations, and exercises targeting the transverse abdominis and glutes. Because fatigue often manifests as hip sagging or shoulder collapse, practicing proper posture under load is essential. An increased plank time not only raises ACFT points but also contributes to injury prevention in daily training and operations.

The final event, the two-mile run, assesses aerobic endurance. Running remains a foundational skill for soldiers, facilitating rapid movement in the field. Our simplified scoring awards 60 points for a 21-minute finish and 100 points for 13 minutes 30 seconds. Times faster than the 100-point benchmark do not yield additional credit, while slower runs below 21 minutes earn nothing. Proper training involves a mix of long steady runs to build endurance, tempo runs to enhance lactate threshold, and interval sessions to develop speed. Nutrition and hydration strategies also influence performance, especially in hot environments. Monitoring improvements through this calculator can motivate consistent cardiovascular training and realistic pacing strategies.

The scoring approach used here employs linear interpolation between published minimum and maximum values for each event. If $P$ represents your performance in any event, $\mathrm{P\_\{min\}}$ the 60-point threshold, and $\mathrm{P\_\{max\}}$ the 100-point benchmark, then the points awarded are approximated by:

For time-based events, the formula reverses because lower times are superior: the numerator becomes $\mathrm{P\_\{max\}}-P$. While the actual ACFT tables step in 10-point increments, the linear method offers a close approximation and is sufficient for planning. Users should consult official resources before a record test, but this calculator is invaluable for daily training and goal setting.

Understanding each component helps identify strengths and weaknesses. Suppose a soldier lifts 200 pounds, throws 8 meters, completes 30 push-ups, finishes the sprint-drag-carry in 2 minutes 10 seconds, planks for 2 minutes 15 seconds, and runs two miles in 18 minutes 30 seconds. The calculator computes individual points, adds them, and determines whether each clears the 60-point minimum. In this scenario, the soldier might pass most events but fall short on the run, revealing where additional training is required. By experimenting with hypothetical numbers, service members can plan progressive overload, set weekly performance targets, and monitor whether improvements translate into overall readiness.

For quick reference, the table below summarizes the performance boundaries used in this tool. The left column displays the score used for the 60-point minimum, while the right column shows what constitutes a perfect 100. These benchmarks align with widespread Army guidance as of 2023.

Improving in any one event boosts the total score, but balanced training across all six events is the surest path to success. Incorporating periodization, recovery, and proper technique will help you climb toward 600 points. Whether you are a recruit preparing for Basic Combat Training or a seasoned noncommissioned officer seeking excellence, this calculator offers a data-driven starting point for your journey.