Kidney health · 5 min read
Normal eGFR by age — what's a healthy range?
Your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is the single most useful number for how well your kidneys are filtering. But "normal" shifts with age, and one low reading rarely means what people fear it does. Here's how to read your number in context.
Last updated April 15, 2026.
What counts as a normal eGFR
In adults, an eGFR of 90 mL/min/1.73m² or higher is considered normal kidney function — as long as there are no other signs of kidney damage, such as protein (albumin) in the urine. Many labs simply report anything above 60 as "≥60" because the estimating equations are less precise in the normal range. The number matters most when it falls, not when it's high.
Why eGFR declines with age
Kidney function peaks in early adulthood and then declines gradually. On average, eGFR falls by roughly 1 mL/min/1.73m² per year after about age 40. That's a normal part of aging, not a disease in itself. It's why a value that would be concerning in a 25-year-old can be entirely expected in someone in their 70s. The table below shows typical average eGFR by age band in healthy adults — use it as a rough orientation, not a diagnostic cutoff.
| Age band | Typical average eGFR |
|---|---|
| 20–29 | ~106 mL/min/1.73m² |
| 30–39 | ~99 mL/min/1.73m² |
| 40–49 | ~93 mL/min/1.73m² |
| 50–59 | ~85 mL/min/1.73m² |
| 60–69 | ~75 mL/min/1.73m² |
| 70+ | ~65 mL/min/1.73m² |
Averages are approximate and based on population studies of healthy adults; individual values vary widely with muscle mass, sex, and hydration.
When a low eGFR actually matters
Chronic kidney disease isn't defined by a single number on a single day. It's defined as an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73m² sustained for three months or longer, or other markers of kidney damage (most commonly albuminuria) persisting for that long. That distinction matters because eGFR can dip temporarily for reasons that have nothing to do with chronic disease:
- Dehydration — a low fluid state reduces filtration transiently.
- Medications — NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), ACE inhibitors, and ARBs can lower eGFR.
- Acute illness — infection or other acute stress can temporarily drop the number.
- Muscle mass extremes — very muscular people can read falsely low; very low muscle mass can read falsely high.
What to do with your number
If your eGFR is 90 or above and you have no protein in your urine, there's usually nothing to act on. If it's below 60, or has dropped noticeably from your prior readings, that's worth a conversation with your doctor — ideally with a repeat test and a urine albumin check to see whether the change is real and sustained. The fundamentals that protect kidney function are the same ones that protect your heart: control blood pressure, manage blood sugar, stay hydrated, and avoid routine NSAID use.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal eGFR number?+
An eGFR of 90 mL/min/1.73m² or above is generally considered normal kidney function in adults, provided there are no other signs of kidney damage such as protein in the urine. Values are reported as 'normal,' or capped as '90+' or '>60' by many labs.
Is it normal for eGFR to decline with age?+
Yes. Kidney function gradually declines with age, falling by roughly 1 mL/min/1.73m² per year on average after about age 40. A modest, stable decline in an older adult without protein in the urine is usually age-related rather than disease.
Is an eGFR of 60 bad?+
An eGFR right at 60 sits at the boundary between stage G2 and G3a. A single reading near 60 is not a diagnosis. Chronic kidney disease is defined as an eGFR below 60 sustained for three months or longer, or other markers of kidney damage. One borderline value should be rechecked.
Can a low eGFR go back to normal?+
Sometimes. eGFR can dip temporarily from dehydration, certain medications (NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors), or acute illness and recover once the cause is addressed. A persistently low eGFR over months is more likely to reflect chronic kidney disease.
Estimate your eGFR with the race-free CKD-EPI 2021 equation, and read more on how the number works.
For general education only. This is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Interpret lab results with a qualified healthcare professional. Reference: Inker LA, et al. New creatinine- and cystatin C-based equations to estimate GFR without race. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(19):1737-1749. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for CKD.