How much air do we breathe a day?
An adult at rest breathes about 11,000 liters of air a day, taking around 20,000 breaths. Exercise can increase this amount many times over.
At rest, adults usually take about 12 to 20 breaths per minute, each about half a liter. That adds up to roughly 6 to 8 liters of air per minute. Over 24 hours, including sleep, the total is about 11,000 liters, enough to fill a small room. During hard exercise, breathing can rise to more than 100 liters per minute.
Air is about 21 percent oxygen, but the body uses only a small part of the oxygen we inhale. Exhaled air still contains about 16 percent oxygen, which is why rescue breathing during CPR can help someone. The body also breathes out carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Automatic breathing
Breathing is controlled automatically by the brainstem, which responds mainly to carbon dioxide levels in the blood. That is why you cannot hold your breath until you pass out on purpose, as your body will force you to breathe. Children and babies breathe faster than adults.
Did You Know?
Over a lifetime of about 80 years, a person takes roughly 600 to 700 million breaths.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.