Ejection Fraction: Normal Range & What It Means

Ejection fraction is the share of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat — a core measure of heart function. Here is the normal range, how it's measured, and what the categories mean.

What is ejection fraction?

Ejection fraction (EF) is the percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each heartbeat. It is calculated as EF = stroke volume ÷ end-diastolic volume × 100 — the fraction of the filled ventricle that is ejected. It is the most widely used measure of the heart's pumping (systolic) function.

What is a normal ejection fraction?

Ejection fraction	Category
50–70%	Normal
41–49%	Mildly reduced (HFmrEF)
≤ 40%	Reduced (HFrEF)
≥ 50% with heart-failure symptoms	Preserved (HFpEF)

An EF above about 75% can occur in conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

HFrEF vs HFpEF

Heart failure is classified by ejection fraction:

• HFrEF (reduced, ≤40%) — the ventricle is weak and cannot eject enough blood.
• HFmrEF (mildly reduced, 41–49%) — an intermediate group.
• HFpEF (preserved, ≥50%) — the ventricle ejects normally but is stiff and fills poorly (a diastolic problem).

The distinction matters because treatment differs between reduced and preserved heart failure.

How is ejection fraction measured?

EF is most commonly estimated with a transthoracic echocardiogram. It can also be measured by cardiac MRI, nuclear imaging (MUGA), or during a left ventriculogram in the cath lab. See our cardiovascular ultrasound technologist guide for the imaging role.

Summary

• EF = stroke volume ÷ end-diastolic volume × 100.
• Normal is 50–70%.
• Heart failure is classified as reduced (≤40%), mildly reduced (41–49%), or preserved (≥50%).
• Echocardiography is the usual measurement method.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal ejection fraction?

A normal left ventricular ejection fraction is 50–70%. Below 40% is reduced (HFrEF) and 41–49% is mildly reduced.

How is ejection fraction calculated?

Ejection fraction equals stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume, times 100 — the percentage of the filled ventricle ejected each beat.

What is the difference between HFrEF and HFpEF?

HFrEF is heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (≤40%), where the ventricle is weak; HFpEF is heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (≥50%), where the ventricle is stiff and fills poorly.

How is ejection fraction measured?

Most often by transthoracic echocardiogram, and also by cardiac MRI, nuclear imaging (MUGA), or a left ventriculogram in the cath lab.