What it takes to pass
The order is explicit: the minimum combined score required to pass the PFT is 150. It also warns that minimum performance on all three events does not get you there — you have to earn additional points on at least one event to reach a 3rd class score.
| Class | Score |
|---|---|
| 1st class | 235 – 300 |
| 2nd class | 200 – 234 |
| 3rd class | 150 – 199 |
Falling below the minimum repetitions or time on any single event fails the PFT outright. So does finishing under 150 points in total even when every event individually cleared its minimum.
Pull-ups or push-ups — the choice that costs points
Marines elect either pull-ups or push-ups for the upper-body event. They are not equivalent. Pull-ups score to a maximum of 100 points. Push-ups are capped at 70. Electing push-ups therefore surrenders up to 30 points before the test starts, and makes a 1st class score materially harder to reach.
| Age | Min (M) | Max for 100 (M) | Min (F) | Max for 100 (F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 7 |
| 21–25 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 11 |
| 26–30 | 5 | 23 | 4 | 12 |
| 31–35 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 11 |
| 36–40 | 5 | 21 | 3 | 10 |
| 41–45 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 8 |
| 46–50 | 4 | 19 | 2 | 6 |
| 51+ | 3 | 18 | 2 | 4 |
| Age | Min (M) | Max for 70 (M) | Min (F) | Max for 70 (F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 42 | 82 | 19 | 42 |
| 21–25 | 40 | 87 | 18 | 48 |
| 26–30 | 39 | 84 | 18 | 50 |
| 31–35 | 36 | 80 | 16 | 46 |
| 36–40 | 34 | 76 | 14 | 43 |
| 41–45 | 30 | 72 | 12 | 41 |
| 46–50 | 25 | 68 | 11 | 40 |
| 51+ | 20 | 64 | 10 | 38 |
The plank and the three-mile run
The plank replaced crunches and is scored on hold time alone, to a maximum of 100 points. The three-mile run is scored on time against your age band and sex, also to 100.
Both are graded on continuous tables rather than banded thresholds, so every second counts — there is no plateau between grades to coast on. The calculator scores exact times against the same tables this page is built from.
Altitude and the rowing alternate
Units testing at 4,500 feet or above use the altitude-adjusted run tables, and Marines are given a 30-day acclimatisation period before testing at altitude. A 5,000-metre row is authorised as an alternate to the run and carries its own scoring tables, including a separate altitude version.
Body composition
The PFT sits alongside the Marine Corps body composition standards, which are assessed separately. Height and weight screening comes first, with the circumference method applied where the screening weight is exceeded. Detail is on the height, weight and body fat page.
Common questions
What is the minimum score to pass the Marine Corps PFT?
150 points out of 300, with no failed event. The order notes that minimum performance on all three events will not reach 150 on its own — additional points must be earned on at least one event to achieve a 3rd class score.
Source: MCO 6100.13A CH-4 · Verified 30 JUL 2026
Are pull-ups or push-ups better on the PFT?
Pull-ups, without qualification, if you can do them. Pull-ups score to 100 points; push-ups are capped at 70. Electing push-ups gives away up to 30 points before the test begins.
Source: MCO 6100.13A CH-4 · Verified 30 JUL 2026
Why do minimum pull-ups score 60 points for women and 40 for men?
Because that is what the order specifies. MCO 6100.13A CH-4 sets minimum points at 40 across all eight male age groups and 60 across all eight female age groups for pull-ups. It is the only place in the table where the minimum point values differ by sex — on push-ups both are 40.
Source: MCO 6100.13A CH-4 · Verified 30 JUL 2026
What are the PFT classes?
1st class is 235 to 300, 2nd class is 200 to 234, and 3rd class is 150 to 199. Below 150 is a failure.
Source: MCO 6100.13A CH-4 · Verified 30 JUL 2026