Pull-Ups or Push-Ups on the PFT? Do the Math Before You Choose

Push-ups cap at 70 points on the Marine Corps PFT, pull-ups at 100. Compare points for your numbers and age group and decide which event is worth training.

By the Dayob Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read

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Try the USMC PFT Calculator – Score your Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test by age group and sex, with event points, total score, class and pass or fail.

The PFT lets Marines choose between dead-hang pull-ups and two-minute push-ups for the upper-body event. The choice isn't neutral: push-ups are capped at 70 points, while pull-ups can earn 100. That 30-point difference is often the gap between 2nd and 1st class.

The standards side by side

GroupPull-ups (min → max)Push-ups (min → max)
Men 17–204 → 20 (40 → 100 pts)42 → 82 (40 → 70 pts)
Men 21–255 → 2340 → 87
Men 31–355 → 2336 → 80
Women 17–201 → 7 (60 → 100 pts)19 → 42 (40 → 70 pts)
Women 21–253 → 1118 → 48

Full tables for all eight age groups are built into the PFT calculator.

Comparing your own numbers

Example: a man aged 21–25 can do 14 pull-ups or 70 push-ups.

  • 14 pull-ups: about 70 points.
  • 70 push-ups: about 59 points.

Pull-ups win here. Now imagine he can only do 7 pull-ups (about 46 points) but 80 push-ups (about 65 points). Push-ups win today, but training pull-ups has more upside, because even modest gains there quickly overtake the push-up cap.

Women's pull-ups start at 60 points

For women, the pull-up table starts at 60 points at the minimum reps, compared with 40 points at the push-up minimum. A woman aged 21–25 doing 3 pull-ups earns 60 points; she'd need about 38 push-ups to match that. If you can do the minimum pull-ups, they're usually the better choice.

Combat arms Marines in 2026

Since 1 January 2026, Marines in combat arms MOSs are scored on the male tables for their age group regardless of sex, and need 210 points to meet the standard. Under those tables, pull-ups become even more important for anyone who needs to reach the higher total. See PFT scoring and 2026 changes.

When push-ups make sense

  • You can't yet do the minimum pull-ups for your age group.
  • An injury limits hanging or pulling movements (follow medical guidance).
  • You're close to a class threshold and push-ups reliably get you there this cycle.

A balanced plan

Many Marines test with push-ups while building pull-ups in training, then switch once their pull-up score passes their push-up score. Our guide to increasing pull-ups has a weekly plan.

Points shown are calculated by interpolating between published minimums and maximums and may differ from the official table by about a point.

Further reading from official sources

More pft score guides

Red running track lane markingsMarine Corps PFT Scoring in 2026: Tables, Classes and What ChangedHow the Marine Corps PFT is scored in 2026: event minimums and maximums, class thresholds, the sex-neutral standard for combat arms and how to calculate your total.3 min readA man in a gray tank top gripping a metal pull-up barHow to Increase Your Pull-Ups for the Marine Corps PFTA practical plan to add pull-ups for the PFT: dead-hang standards, grease-the-groove volume, negatives, rows and grip work, with a sample weekly schedule.3 min readA runner on a running trackHow to Run a Faster 3-Mile for the PFT: Pacing and an 8-Week PlanImprove your PFT 3-mile run with target paces, easy mileage, intervals and tempo runs. Includes pace tables for common goals and an 8-week progression.2 min read