Lung Health Inspiratory Capacity: Formula for Measuring Lung Health A Test to Evaluate Lung Function By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Sanja Jelic, MD is board-certified in pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. She is an assistant professor and attending physician at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Koldunov / iStock / Getty Images Inspiratory capacity (IC) is an important measurement of air volume in relation to your respiratory function or status. Inspiratory capacity is a lung volume measurement that is captured during a pulmonary function test, which can be used to determine the mechanical function of your lungs. This article will go over what inspiratory capacity is. You will learn how inspiratory capacity is measured as well as conditions that are associated with having reduced inspiratory capacity. How Do Your Lungs Work? How Is Inspiratory Capacity Calculated? Inspiratory capacity is measured as you exhale casually followed by a maximal inhalation. The normal inspiratory capacity in an adult is approximately three liters. While this volume can be measured through a pulmonary function test such as spirometry, it can also be calculated. Inspiratory Capacity Formula The calculation for inspiratory capacity is the tidal volume (the amount of air you casually breathe in) plus the inspiratory reserve volume (the amount of air you forcefully breathe in after a normal inhalation). This equation is written as: TV + IRV = IC What Is an Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) Test? Another way to calculate the inspiratory capacity is to take the total lung capacity (TLC), which includes forceful inspiration/exhalation and any residual air volume left in the lungs, and subtract the functional residual capacity, which includes only the volume forcibly exhaled and the residual volume in the lungs after. This equation looks like this: TLC - FRC = IC The average total lung capacity in an adult is approximately six liters, so the average IC/TLC is around 0.5 or 50%. What Does Lung Consolidation Mean? How Is Inspiratory Capacity Measured? Inspiratory capacity is measured as part of spirometry, which is a pulmonary function test. Follow your healthcare providers' instructions when preparing for this test. Common things to do before this test includes: No smoking for at least an hour before the test. Skip your breathing medications if instructed to. Avoid alcohol for at least four hours before the test. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Avoid large meals for at least two hours before the test. During the test, you will breathe through a mouthpiece in different ways. Sometimes you will breathe normally in a relaxed manner, while other times you will be asked to do more forceful breathing during inhalation or exhalation. It is important that you follow the instructions to get accurate results from the test and learn about your inspiratory capacity. If you become tired, lightheaded, or do not understand the instructions, let the person conducting the test know. How Are Incentive Spirometers Used? Causes of Reduced Inspiratory Capacity Reduced inspiratory capacity can happen for many reasons. Having difficulty breathing is typically related to two causes: Restrictive airway disorders Obstructive airway disorders Obstructive and Restrictive Lung Disease Differences In restrictive airway disorders, the lungs are not able to expand sufficiently to breathe as deep. This would decrease your inspiratory capacity. In obstructive airway disorders, you are unable to fully exhale. If you are unable to fully exhale, you will have an elevated end-expiratory lung volume. With an increased volume remaining after normal exhalation, your lungs will not be able to breathe in as deeply and have a reduction in your inspiratory capacity. What Is an FEV1/FVC Ratio in Spirometry? Conditions Related to Inspiratory Capacity Certain health conditions are related to inspiratory capacity. These conditions are categorized as showing a reduced inspiratory capacity or an increased inspiratory capacity. Reduced Inspiratory Capacity Reduced inspiratory capacities are related to several diagnoses that are tied to the causes listed above. However inspiratory capacity is not used in the diagnosis of any breathing disorders. Rather, it is used in monitoring symptoms and can be utilized in the prognosis of some disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when combined with the total lung capacity ratio. Common diagnoses that decrease inspiratory capacity caused by restriction include: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Common diagnoses that decrease inspiratory capacity caused by obstruction include: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Asthma Cystic fibrosis (CF) While there are certainly more diagnoses related to restrictive and obstructive lung diseases, not all have evidence of the utility of inspiratory capacity. What Happens During a Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Test? Summary Inspiratory capacity (IC) measures how much air you can breathe into your lungs after you breathe out normally. Inspiratory capacity is usually measured during a pulmonary function test called spirometry. On its own, your inspiratory capacity is not used to diagnose breathing problems but can be a useful way to monitor chronic lung diseases. Frequently Asked Questions What is inspiratory capacity of lungs? Inspiratory capacity shows how much air you can breathe into your lungs after you have exhaled. This measure of air volume can help assess how well your respiratory system works. What is inspiratory capacity in mL? For an adult, a normal inspiratory capacity is about 3 liters, or about 3,000 mL. What is inspiratory capacity and expiratory capacity? Inspiratory capacity is the maximum you can breathe in after you breathe out normally. Expiratory capacity is how much you breathe out forcefully. What is the equation for inspiratory capacity? The calculation for inspiratory capacity is tidal volume (the amount of air you casually breath in) plus inspiratory reserve volume (the amount of air you forcefully breathe in after a normal inhalation). This is written as: TV + IRV = IC. What is TV and IRV? Tidal volume (TV) is how much air you can breathe in normally. Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) is how much air you can breathe out forcefully after you breathe in normally. FEV1 Is a Valuable Measure of Lung Function 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. East Tennessee State University. Lung Volumes and Capacities. National Library of Medicine. Physiology, Lung Capacity. American Thoracic Society. Pulmonary function tests. French A, Balfe D, Mirocha J, Falk J, Mosenifar Z. 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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit