How to Use the AFT Calculator
Begin by selecting your age group, AFT standard (general or combat), and sex. These factors determine your scoring thresholds, as younger soldiers and combat roles face stricter benchmarks.
Next, enter your performance data for all five events:
- 3-Rep Max Deadlift (MDL): Record the heaviest weight you successfully lifted for three consecutive repetitions using a hex bar, in either pounds or kilograms.
- Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP): Count the total correctly executed repetitions completed within two minutes, ensuring full chest-to-ground contact on each rep.
- Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC): Enter your completion time for the 250-meter course.
- Plank Hold (PLK): Log the duration you maintained a proper plank position.
- Two-Mile Run (2MR): Input your finish time for the two-mile distance.
The calculator automatically converts your raw scores into points for each event using the official Army scoring tables, then sums them to determine your total AFT score and pass/fail outcome.
AFT Scoring System
Each of the five AFT events is individually scored on a 0–100 point scale. Your total AFT score is the sum of points across all five events. The calculator uses the official Army scoring charts, which vary by age group, sex, and MOS standard, to assign points based on your performance.
MDL Points = Score(Deadlift Weight)
HRP Points = Score(Push-ups Completed)
SDC Points = Score(SDC Time)
PLK Points = Score(Plank Duration)
2MR Points = Score(Two-Mile Time)
Total AFT Score = MDL + HRP + SDC + PLK + 2MR
MDL— 3-rep max deadlift weight in pounds or kilogramsHRP— Number of hand-release push-ups completed in two minutesSDC— Sprint-drag-carry completion time in secondsPLK— Plank hold duration in seconds2MR— Two-mile run time in minutes and seconds
Minimum AFT Standards
To pass the Army Fitness Test, you must meet two requirements:
- Event Minimum: Score at least 60 points on each of the five events. Failing even one event results in an overall test failure, regardless of your total score.
- Aggregate Minimum: Achieve a combined score of at least 300 points across all five events for the general (non-combat) standard, or 350 points for soldiers in combat-designated roles.
Time cutoffs for the two-mile run typically range from 19:57 to 25:00 depending on age, sex, and standard. Plank hold minimums vary from 1:10 to 1:25. These thresholds are less stringent for older age groups and may differ between male and female soldiers.
Critical AFT Preparation Points
Avoid common pitfalls that can cost you points on test day.
- Form Matters More Than Speed — The Army strictly enforces proper technique on all five events. Incomplete push-ups, rounded-back deadlifts, or improper plank alignment earn zero points for those repetitions. Record practice attempts on video or train with a partner to verify your form matches official Army standards before your test.
- Age and Sex Standards Vary Significantly — A two-mile run time that scores 80 points for a 22-year-old male may earn only 60 points for a 42-year-old female. Know exactly which scoring chart applies to your profile before attempting to predict your score. Don't use someone else's benchmark as your target.
- One Event Failure Means Test Failure — Even if your total score exceeds 300 or 350 points, scoring below 60 on any single event is an automatic fail. Don't over-invest training time in your strengths while neglecting weak events—balance matters more than aggregate excellence.
- Plank Hold Requires Mental Endurance — The plank is deceptively taxing. Many soldiers train the big-movement events but underestimate the psychological challenge of holding a static position for 1–3 minutes. Include dedicated isometric core work in your training plan, not just dynamic movements.
What Changed from the APFT and ACFT?
The Army Fitness Test replaces both the older Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and the more recent Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The AFT aims to balance simplicity, fairness, and practical relevance to soldier readiness across a broader demographic range.
Key shifts include:
- The deadlift replaced the maximum deadlift for time, focusing on pure strength rather than speed.
- Hand-release push-ups are now standard instead of standard or modified versions, removing ambiguity in scoring.
- The plank hold emphasizes sustained core stability over dynamic endurance.
- The sprint-drag-carry and two-mile run remain, but scoring thresholds have been recalibrated.
Soldiers who previously trained for the ACFT should note that AFT standards are designed to be achievable by a wider range of military personnel while still ensuring a baseline of combat-readiness across age, sex, and MOS groups.