Army Fitness Test Standards (AFT) — 2026
These Army Fitness Test standards explain the current five-event AFT, General and Combat requirements, age- and sex-normed scoring, permanent-profile alternate aerobic events, and the exact 300- and 350-point thresholds in effect through September 2026.
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What Is the Army Fitness Test (AFT)?
The Army Fitness Test is the Army’s physical fitness test of record. It replaced the six-event ACFT on June 1, 2025 and scores five events: 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift, Hand-Release Push-Up, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Plank and Two-Mile Run.
If you are checking “Army PT test standards 2026” or “Army physical fitness test requirements,” use these AFT rules rather than a retired APFT or ACFT chart. This page explains the required events and passing standards; the 2026 AFT score calculator converts a specific performance into event points. For the former three-event Army Physical Fitness Test, see the separate legacy APFT calculator.
The three-event APFT has no 2026 record-test standard. For a current result, use the AFT score chart and its age-based General or Combat columns. For an old APFT score, use the historical calculator linked above. The separate Combat Field Test uses a continuous time limit rather than AFT points.
The official Army AFT page explains that data from nearly one million ACFT administrations and RAND analysis informed the change. It also publishes the current Combat-specialty list, implementation dates, event instructions and scoring resources.
AFT Standards by Event (MDL, HRP, SDC, PLK, 2MR)
The core test battery consists of five continuous physical events administered in a strict sequence with mandatory rest intervals:
| Event Code | Event Name | Primary Physical Component | General scoring | Combat scoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDL | 3-Rep Max Deadlift | Lower body absolute muscular strength | Exact weight varies by age and sex | Sex-neutral published table |
| HRP | Hand-Release Push-Up | Upper body pushing endurance | Exact repetitions vary by age and sex | Sex-neutral published table |
| SDC | Sprint-Drag-Carry | Anaerobic capacity & power endurance | Exact time varies by age and sex | Sex-neutral published table |
| PLK | Plank Hold | Isometric core stabilization | Exact time varies by age and sex | Sex-neutral published table |
| 2MR | 2-Mile Run | Aerobic cardiovascular endurance | Exact time varies by age and sex | Sex-neutral published table |
AFT Standards by Age and Gender
General-standard points use male and female scales across ten age groups: 17–21, 22–26, 27–31, 32–36, 37–41, 42–46, 47–51, 52–56, 57–61 and 62+. Soldiers in a designated Combat specialty use the sex-neutral Combat tables. Always look up the raw performance in the applicable published table; AFT points are not created by linear interpolation between a few benchmark examples.
There is no single passing deadlift weight, plank time or two-mile finish time for every age group. For example, a female Soldier using the General standard checks the female column for her age bracket; a Soldier assigned a designated Combat specialty uses the Combat column instead. The per-event floor remains 60 points, but the raw performance needed to reach it depends on the applicable table.
The Army AFT Scoring Scales approved May 15, 2025 are effective from June 1, 2025 and contain the complete point-by-point tables used by this site’s calculators.
To inspect exact point scales for your specific demographic bracket, utilize our interactive Master AFT Score Chart or the AFT Passing Standards Cheat Sheet.
For a specific male or female two-mile time, use the Army two-mile run score table; for an accepted plank duration, use the AFT plank table. Both change with the selected age group and scoring column. These Army record-test tables are not a universal military running standard or a separate enlistment medical qualification.
Combat vs General AFT Standards
The current AFT applies two standards:
- General standard: At least 60 points in every event, for a minimum total of 300 out of 500.
- Combat standard: For the Army’s 24 designated combat MOSs/AOCs as updated by Army Directive 2026-07, at least 60 points in every event and at least 350 total points, using sex-neutral tables. The initial active-component standard took effect January 1, 2026; the Reserve and National Guard standard took effect June 1, 2026. In April 2026, 12D, 89D and 89E were additionally designated combat specialties.
The separate 2026 Combat Field Test (CFT) has seven continuous events and a 30:00-or-less pass/fail standard. It is not another AFT scoring column or the older six-event ACFT.
Check the 24-specialty Combat MOS list before choosing the 350-point standard. General and Combat both require at least 60 points in each scored event; five 60-point scores do not pass the Combat total requirement.
Alternate AFT Event Standards
Soldiers with permanent medical profiles documented on DA Form 3349 who are medically exempted from the 2-Mile Run must complete one of four authorized alternate aerobic cardiovascular events:
| Alternate Event | Distance / Modality | Passing Time (GO / NO-GO) | Score Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000m Row | Concept2 Ergometer Rower | Varies by age, sex and standard | 60 Points |
| 1,000m Swim | Swimming Pool (Any stroke) | Varies by age, sex and standard | 60 Points |
| 12,000m Bike | Stationary Ergometer Bicycle | Varies by age, sex and standard | 60 Points |
| 2.5-Mile Walk | Flat outdoor certified course | Varies by age, sex and standard | 60 Points |
The listed row and stationary-bike distances have their own profile-authorized pass/fail cutoffs. If those are the events on your DA Form 3349, use the 5,000-meter row standards or 12,000-meter bike standards rather than applying a two-mile running time to them.
How to Prepare for the AFT: Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F)
Preparation should cover the movement and energy-system demands of all five events while respecting the Soldier’s current medical profile and unit training plan:
- Prioritize Posterior Chain Strength: Deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts (RDLs), kettlebell swings, and barbell hip thrusts build the hip drive essential for both the 3RM Deadlift and the 90-lb sled drag in the Sprint-Drag-Carry.
- Incorporate Anaerobic Interval Conditioning: Train the phosphagen and glycolytic energy systems with high-intensity shuttle runs, sled pushes, farmer’s carries, and 400-meter track repeats to build tolerance against lactic acid accumulation.
- Master Pacing on the 2-Mile Run: Use our Run Pace Calculator to establish consistent 400m track lap times, avoiding early cardiovascular burnout.
- Recover between hard sessions: Build workload gradually, include easier days, and seek qualified medical or performance-nutrition guidance for individual recovery and fueling needs.
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