Best Pulse Points Besides the Wrist for Heart Rate

The wrist-based heart rate monitor has become ubiquitous over the past decade, but for some people it doesn't make sense to wear a pulse monitor on the wrist. Whether you're a surgeon who can't wear anything on your hands, a boxer whose wrists take constant impact, or simply someone seeking more accurate data during certain activities, there are several locations on the body where you can accurately measure your pulse rate. This article explores what pulse points are, how to check them manually, and how WHOOP leverages these alternative locations to provide continuous, accurate monitoring no matter where you wear it.

What is a pulse point?

A pulse point is an area on your body where an artery runs close to the surface of the skin. When your heart beats, it sends a wave of pressure through your arteries. At these specific points, you can feel this pressure wave as a pulse giving you a real-time measurement of your heart rate.

How to check your pulse

You can check your pulse manually to get a quick snapshot of your heart rate. Follow these simple steps:

1. Place your index and middle fingers on the pulse point. Avoid using your thumb, as it has its own pulse that can interfere with the reading.
2. Press gently until you feel the pulse. If you press too hard, you might obstruct the blood flow.
3. Count the number of beats you feel in 30 seconds.
4. Multiply that number by two to determine your heart rate in beats per minute (bpm).

Common pulse points for manual checks

While there are many pulse points on the body, two are most commonly used for manual checks due to their accessibility:

• Radial Artery (Wrist): Located on the inside of your wrist, just below the base of your thumb. This is the most common spot for taking a pulse.
• Carotid Artery (Neck): Located on your neck, to the side of your windpipe. This pulse is often strong and easy to find.

These points are great for a quick manual check. For continuous monitoring especially during activity or sleep—other locations can provide more consistent and accurate data.

How WHOOP measures pulse data

In designing new sensors for WHOOP, we tested 20 locations on the body and found four sites besides the wrist that are near strong pulse points where heart rate can be accurately measured. These locations were selected for their accuracy and for comfort regardless of whether you're running, lifting weights or sleeping.

"We analyzed data to find the locations with the highest signal and lowest noise and we picked the ones that showed the potential to produce the best accuracy in terms of extracted physiological features," said Behnoosh Tavakoli, the Director of Signal Processing at WHOOP. Tavakoli defines noise as anything that can disrupt the signal such as motion or respiration. The new sensor system with five LEDs in WHOOP monitors changes in blood volume in the microvascular bed of the skin, and engineers selected the points where the signal was always high regardless of whether you're moving or resting.

WHOOP can be worn on several locations including the waist with WHOOP Body smart garments.

WHOOP Body pulse points

Wearing a heart rate monitor does not mean you have to wear a restrictive chest strap all day or miss data because you can't have anything on your wrist during work. WHOOP Body wearable technology allows you to slide your WHOOP sensor into a specialized pocket called a pod located in specific places in your clothing to accurately monitor your heart rate and a wide variety of other physiological metrics. WHOOP Body's Any-Wear technology lets you wear your WHOOP sensor without a strap in four locations without it feeling restrictive or uncomfortable whether you're at work, the gym or in bed.

• Left side of the torso — The pod in the WHOOP Body sports bra, everyday bralette and adjustable bralette is located on the left side of the torso near the heart.
• Upper arm — The WHOOP Body arm band positions the sensor on the bicep close to the brachial pulse point in the upper arm. Medical professionals also target the brachial pulse when checking your blood pressure.
• Waist — The femoral artery is one of the largest blood vessels in the body. As such, medical professionals often use it in procedures to gain access to the arterial system. WHOOP Body performance shorts, athletic boxers and everyday boxers include a pod for sensor placement on the waist, monitoring a powerful pulse point in a comfortable location.
• Lower leg — WHOOP Body targets the popliteal artery in the lower leg. The performance leggings include a pod for sensor placement on the calf.

WHOOP Body apparel includes pods that allow you to wear WHOOP 4.0 comfortably while accurately monitoring your physiological metrics.

WHOOP Health Monitor provides pulse feedback and more

The new WHOOP Health Monitor uses your pulse data to provide feedback about your live heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oximetry, resting heart rate and respiratory rate, giving you a single place to view your key vitals.

Wear WHOOP on your calf with WHOOP Body leggings.

Unlock your data with WHOOP

Understanding your pulse is the first step toward optimizing your health. By leveraging different pulse points, WHOOP gives you the flexibility to collect accurate data 24/7, no matter your activity. This continuous monitoring provides a complete picture of your Sleep, Strain, and Recovery—helping you make smarter decisions and perform your best.

Frequently asked questions about pulse points

Why is my pulse easier to find in some places than others?

The strength of a pulse depends on the size of the artery and how close it is to your skin. Larger arteries, like the carotid in your neck or the femoral in your groin, produce a stronger, more easily detectable pulse than smaller arteries.

What are the most common pulse points on the body?

The most recognized pulse points include the radial (wrist), carotid (neck), brachial (inside of elbow), femoral (groin), popliteal (behind the knee), and dorsalis pedis (top of the foot). Each provides a location to measure heart rate.

Can a wearable measure pulse as accurately as a manual check?

A manual check provides a snapshot of your heart rate at a single moment. A high-quality optical heart rate sensor, like the one used by WHOOP, measures your heart rate continuously. This provides thousands of data points, offering a more complete and dynamic view of your cardiovascular activity throughout the day and night.

While WHOOP's consumer products are intended for general informational purposes and are not medical devices, the company also offers a medical-grade device (WHOOP MG). All content available through WHOOP products and services should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.